Difference between Search, Seek, Look for

[soso]

Difference between Search, Seek, Look for

By

Anastasia Koltai-

April 22, 2017

https://www.myenglishteacher.eu/blog/difference-between-search-seek-look-for/

LOOK FOR

Look for is used, in general, when you need to find something or someone:

Excuse me! I’m looking for the manager’s office. Do you know where it is?

I’ve been looking for a job for months.

SEARCH

Search is used when you look somewhere carefully, because you want to find something:

The police searched the house for evidence.

I searched the whole room, but I couldn’t find my watch anywhere.

You can also search for something:

We searched for a sunny spot for our picnic.

SEEK

Seek is not used when talking about physical objects. It refers to the process of trying to get something:

'Seek' is archaic except in some more or less set expressions: seeking employment, seek to discover 

(why something happens), and others.

Thousands are seeking asylum in Germany.

I think you’ll need to seek help.

In everyday situations, such as trying to find misplaced keys, a cat that has strayed, a friends’ house, etc. we would always used to look for.

If we are talking about working towards some significant or abstract ultimate goal, such as security, recognitions, justice, enlightenment, etc. then we would generally use to seek.

In other situations, such as trying to find a job, accommodation etc. then we could use either - 

but we might use to seek in more formal settings, and to look for elsewhere.