that you were looking for vs that you are looking for

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'That you were looking for' is used when referring to something in the past, while 'that you are looking for' is used when referring to something in the present.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 2176 views

This phrase is correct when referring to something in the past.

"that you were looking for"

This phrase is used when talking about something that someone was searching for in the past.

Examples:

I found the book that you were looking for.
Is this the information that you were looking for?

Show examples from the web [+]

Liv had said that you were looking for a place and you wanted to meet to talk about it.
My sheriff Shelby knew that you were looking for Ellen May?
They said they thought they found somebody that you were looking for.
I got a message down at the office that you were looking for a contractor?
I just wanted to let you know that a certain item that you were looking for... might be turning up soon.
In fact, haven't you told your friends many times that you were looking for a way out?
Did you find that girl that you were looking for?
I know that you were looking for the perfect tenant, but a perfect tenant just doesn't exist.
Remember how you said that you were looking for a place in the office to do calisthenics and aerobics?
And unless you're telling me you have a direct line to those angels that you were looking for -
And that you were looking for a piece of land on which to settle down quietly with your sick husband?
I heard that you were looking for an overnight part timer...
Or they could think that you were looking for it.
I was surprised to discover that you were looking for my son.
The tickets that you were looking for.
I saw that you were looking for one online...
You just said that you were looking for him.
Georgette said that you were looking for a new firm.
I saw that you were looking for me, so I took the new engines off-line and ended up back where I started.
I think the word that you were looking for is "tall," Officer Cardoza.

Alternatives:

that you had been looking for
that you had searched for
that you had sought

This phrase is correct when referring to something in the present.

"that you are looking for"

This phrase is used when talking about something that someone is currently searching for.

Examples:

Let me help you find the information that you are looking for.
Is this the book that you are looking for?

Show examples from the web [+]

I know that you are looking for answers.
There are some books that you are looking for that may be found.
Okay, I think personally that you are looking for trouble.
Wassenfelder, says that you are looking for D.U.N.N.O.S.?
He knows you want The Paradise back and that you are looking for ways to do that.
And did they take the thing that you are looking for?
Look, I can help you with what you're looking for, I just need to know what it is that you are looking for.
Tags can be arranged in a hierarchical tree. This allows you to organize your tags in a logical manner. One can collapse parts of the tree in the & quot; Tagsquot; list so that one can easily find the tags that you are looking for.
I heard that you are looking for a waiter.
Put it on every traffic light and you will find any crook that you are looking for.
I hear from your answer that you are looking for much more 'strict' - whatever that might mean - and therefore leave us with the same problem.
Is there any chance that you are looking for Helium-3 up there?
Should I tell him that you are looking for him?
Regarding patients suffering from rare diseases, I understand that you are looking for the best approach in order for them to benefit from the health care they need, but sometimes the best is the enemy of the good.
Emmanuelle, I know by now that you are looking for something that you will never find.
By now that you are looking for something that you can't find.
Emmanuelle, I know... by now that you are looking for something that you will never find.
FIND OUT THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR US.
Imagine that you are looking for Josefine.
All you do is tell us that you are looking for trails, as if a European summit was a jamboree of boy scouts practising stalking.

Alternatives:

that you are searching for
that you seek
that you want

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that you were looking for vs that you are looking for