Distinguishing Between Search, Find, & Seek

There are certain groups of words in the English language that convey nearly similar meanings but are used in different contexts to avoid confusion. Such groups do not pose a problem for someone whose native language is English but often confuse those who have a different mother tongue. One such group of words is search, seek, and find that have similar meanings. This article intends to explain the usage of these three words to remove any doubts from the minds of the readers.

Search

Examples of the use of “search” include:
– Kane is searching for his watch.
– The police had the search warrant when they reached the suspect’s place.
– Finding such a small earring in this room is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
– Google is a search engine to get to the desired results.

You conduct a search for a lost thing, or as when you are looking for a website on the internet. Even when a detective or a police team is conducting a search, they are looking for missing links or clues to solve a case. If a person goes missing, police conduct a search to get the person or to get clues about their whereabouts.

Find

Examples of the use of “find” include:
– You will find the keys of the locker on the rack.
– You will find the laws of thermodynamics beautifully explained in this book.
– He found the petrol tank empty when he tried to start the car.
– Adam was found guilty of the charges leveled against him.

In the case of “find,” you are not looking for a missing thing or trying to get to something you have lost. If a European comes to India, they find the hot weather unbearable.

Seek

“Seek” is similar to “search.” You find when you seek. You tend to seek about a thing when you are curious about it. If you think someone is lying, you seek out the veracity of their statement. He was seeking familiar places when he revisited his old school.

You are not searching or trying to find comfort; you seek comfort. Similarly, you seek truth and do not search or find it.

Key Takeaways

• Though words search, seek, and find have similar connotations, they are different because they are used in different contexts.
• While “search” is used when you are trying to look for something that is missing or lost, “find” is used more in daily life situations.
• “Seek” is used in situations when one is looking for knowledge, truth, comfort, etc.