"searching for" vs "looking for"

[Water Melon]

English Grammar Error, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #2 "Between the lines", question 6

She has been searching something in that book all morning but she still hasn't found anything.

(a) has been searching
(b) in that book
(c) but
(d) anything

English Grammar Error, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #2 "Between the lines", answer 6

She has been searching for something in that book all morning but she still hasn't found anything.

Correct entry: has been searching for
The error was: (a) has been searching

You have found the error but your entry is incorrect.
She has been looking for something in that book all morning but she still hasn't found anything.
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Would you please explain when do we use "searching for" as opposed to "looking for"
Thank you.

[Alan]

Hi,

If you want to use the word search in the sense of try and find, you have to use it with the preposition for. The meaning of search for is roughly the same as look for but search for suggests that you are making a more thorough investigation.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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