Look for vs Find: What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
Look for" refers to the process of searching, while "find" refers to the act of discovering as a result of the search.
Memory Tip: look for = search, find = discover
look for has longer vowel, find has short vowel
look for
Example:
I am going to look for my keys because I cannot find them.
find /faɪnd/
verbYou look for something and you get it.
Example:
I finally find my keys under the couch after searching for an hour.
Common patterns:
find something
find a place
Common Mistakes
I need to find my keys before I leave the house.
I need to look for my keys before I leave the house.
'Look for' is used because the speaker is in the process of searching for the keys.
After a long search, I finally looked for the missing document.
After a long search, I finally found the missing document.
'Found' is appropriate because it indicates the completion of the search with the document being discovered.
Quick Practice
0/2 correct1. I am going to ____ my keys because I cannot find them.
2. I finally ____ my keys under the couch after searching for an hour.
Other Confusing Words
Never confuse look for / find again
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