"search for" vs "search of"

Question

"search for" vs "search of"

Both "search for" and "search of" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Search for" is used when looking for something specific, while "search of" is used when describing the act of searching in a more general sense.

Last Updated: March 26, 2024

Use "search for" when you are looking for something specific or trying to find a particular item, information, or person.

Examples:

I need to search for my keys before leaving the house.
She is searching for a new job.
They are searching for the best restaurant in town.

Alternatives:

look for
seek
hunt for
try to find
scour for

Use "search of" when describing the act of searching in a more general sense, without specifying the object of the search.

Examples:

He went on a search of the entire building to find the missing document.
The search of the area continued throughout the night.

Alternatives:

search through
explore
look through
scour through
inspect

Answer 1

search for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

search of

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

"search for" vs "search of"

search for

search of

Related Comparisons