in search of + thing
Trying to find something
Use in search of for active searching.
The hikers wandered in search of water.
Of search or in search?
English commonly uses in search of. Of search is not a standard fixed expression.
Quick answer
Use in search of
The idiomatic phrase is in search of, meaning trying to find something. Of search is not used as a fixed expression.
They travelled abroad in search of better opportunities.
She went online in search of cheap flights.
She went online in search of cheap flights.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
search for + thing
The most direct search pattern
Search for is common with both noun and verb forms.
The police began a search for the missing child.
search through + place
Looking inside an area
Use through for examining places or collections.
She searched through the files carefully.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
in search of
He left home in search of adventure.
Trying to find something.
of search
The phrase of search is not idiomatic alone.
Generally incorrect as a fixed combination.
search for
Their search for answers continued.
The act of looking for something.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Dropping in from the expression
The fixed phrase includes in.
✕ They travelled of search of work. ✓ They travelled in search of work.Using search of instead of search for
Use for after search in most direct combinations.
✕ The search of evidence lasted hours. ✓ The search for evidence lasted hours.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. They moved to the city ___ search of work.
2. The team launched a search ___ the missing boat.
3. Which phrase is generally nonstandard?
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Frequently asked questions
Is in search of formal?
It is slightly formal but common in writing and speech.
Can I say searching of?
Usually use searching for instead.
What is the difference between seek and search?
Seek is often more formal and abstract, while search usually suggests an active process.
Related preposition guides
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