Cool MateI'm looking for vs Seeking
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I'm looking for
Top 3,000 (common)
Seeking
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Seeking
| I'm looking for | Seeking | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aɪm ˈlʊkɪŋ fɔː//🇺🇸 //aɪm ˈlʊkɪŋ fɔr// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsiːkɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈsiːkɪŋ// |
| Meaning | I want to find something. | Looking for something or someone. |
| Example | I'm looking for my keys; have you seen them? | She is seeking a new job in marketing. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | looking for a job, looking for advice, looking for answers, looking for support | seeking advice, seeking assistance, seeking opportunities, seeking truth, seeking guidance |
| Antonyms | - | avoiding, ignoring, disregarding |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'for': Learners might say 'I'm looking' instead of 'I'm looking for'., Confusing with 'I look for': This phrase is less common and used differently. | Confused with 'seeked' instead of 'sought' as the past tense., Incorrectly using 'seeking' as a noun., Misunderstanding the context; 'seeking' suggests active pursuit. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when expressing a desire to find people, objects, or information. It's appropriate in most situations, both casual and formal. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. 'Seeking' may appear in job descriptions or personal pursuits. Avoid overly casual scenarios. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: I'm looking for vs Seeking
What's the difference between I'm looking for and Seeking?
I'm looking for: I want to find something. Seeking: Looking for something or someone.
Which is more common: I'm looking for and Seeking?
Seeking is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
I'm looking for: I'm looking for my keys; have you seen them? Seeking: She is seeking a new job in marketing.
Can I use I'm looking for and Seeking interchangeably?
Not always. I'm looking for and Seeking are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.