search for an item vs search an item

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Search for an item' is the more common and natural way to express looking for something specific. 'Search an item' could be used in a more specific context where the action of searching is directly applied to the item.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1116 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"search for an item"

This phrase is used when you are looking for a specific item or object. It indicates the action of searching for something.

Examples:

I need to search for an item in the store.
She asked me to search for an item on the top shelf.
Can you help me search for an item in this room?
The detective will search for an item that could be a clue.
Let's search for an item that matches the description.

Show examples from the web [+]

Search for items with an ending date on or before the date you specify here.
Launch the simple search items dialog.
Launch the advanced search items dialog.
Check this box if you want to search for Event items that match the search criteria.
Search for items with a starting date on or after the date you specify here.
When specifying a specific column to search in, you can also search for items less than or greater than a term, for example: score: > 50, which will search for items with a score greater than 50.
Use CtrlF to open the list search field. An item must be selected for this command to be effective.
All right, so first, we search for the item, and then we see who has the most active listings.
& xsldbg; is a tool intended to help understand stylesheets. What makes it different to other stylesheet debuggers is the ability to search for items of interest and trace stylesheet execution.
& xsldbg; is a tool intended to help understand stylesheets. What makes it different to other stylesheet debuggers is the ability to search for items of interest and trace stylesheet execution.
For example, entering gg: konqueror into the Location Bar and pressing & Enter; will ask Google to search for items related to & konqueror;.
Matches if the value of the search item is less than the specified value.
By default, when you enter terms separated by spaces, it will search for items containing all of them. For example: one two three, will search for anything that contains one, two, and three.
You can also use quotes to search for terms with spaces in them: "Mike Oldfield". That will search for items that contain Mike Oldfield, but not, for example, ones that contain Mike J. Oldfield.
Holding Control and clicking the right mouse button enqueues files in the order in which you clicked them. Pressing Enter after making a playlist search will play the first search item and will clear the search.
Matches if the value of the search item is equal to (or not equal to) the specified value.
Check this box if you want to search To-do items that match the search criteria.
Drag & drop an image here to perform similar items search. You can also use the context menu when browsing through your images.
If you chose the Search item in the browser, you will get to a dialog with great resemblance to the dialog you used for setting properties of your images. You can see this dialog in below.
No message satisfies your search criteria. Either clear search with Search->Clear menu item or change it.

Alternatives:

look for an item
seek an item
hunt for an item
try to find an item
scour for an item

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

"search an item"

This phrase could be used in a more specific context where the action of searching is directly applied to the item. It is less common than 'search for an item.'

Examples:

I will search the item thoroughly for any hidden compartments.
The police officer searched the item for any illegal substances.
He decided to search the item himself to make sure nothing was missing.
The technician needs to search the item for defects.
Let's search the item together to see if we can find any clues.

Show examples from the web [+]

Use CtrlF to open the list search field. An item must be selected for this command to be effective.
Search for items with an ending date on or before the date you specify here.
Launch the simple search items dialog.
Launch the advanced search items dialog.
Matches if the value of the search item is less than the specified value.
Holding Control and clicking the right mouse button enqueues files in the order in which you clicked them. Pressing Enter after making a playlist search will play the first search item and will clear the search.
Matches if the value of the search item is equal to (or not equal to) the specified value.
Search for items with a starting date on or after the date you specify here.
Check this box if you want to search for Event items that match the search criteria.
Check this box if you want to search To-do items that match the search criteria.
Drag & drop an image here to perform similar items search. You can also use the context menu when browsing through your images.
When specifying a specific column to search in, you can also search for items less than or greater than a term, for example: score: > 50, which will search for items with a score greater than 50.
If you chose the Search item in the browser, you will get to a dialog with great resemblance to the dialog you used for setting properties of your images. You can see this dialog in below.
& xsldbg; is a tool intended to help understand stylesheets. What makes it different to other stylesheet debuggers is the ability to search for items of interest and trace stylesheet execution.
& xsldbg; is a tool intended to help understand stylesheets. What makes it different to other stylesheet debuggers is the ability to search for items of interest and trace stylesheet execution.
For example, entering gg: konqueror into the Location Bar and pressing & Enter; will ask Google to search for items related to & konqueror;.
All right, so first, we search for the item, and then we see who has the most active listings.
By default, when you enter terms separated by spaces, it will search for items containing all of them. For example: one two three, will search for anything that contains one, two, and three.
You can also use quotes to search for terms with spaces in them: "Mike Oldfield". That will search for items that contain Mike Oldfield, but not, for example, ones that contain Mike J. Oldfield.
No message satisfies your search criteria. Either clear search with Search->Clear menu item or change it.

Alternatives:

examine an item
inspect an item
scrutinize an item
investigate an item
look through an item

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search for an item vs search an item