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Mr. Tom Posted 4 years ago
Vocabulary

Use of 'finding'

Hi

It's very common in Indian English to use 'finding' where 'looking for' would work. For example:

  1. Sorry, I was busy finding my keys. (instead of looking for)
  2. What are you finding in my room? (instead of looking for)

I think the sentence above are wrong. BUT I heard a native speaker in the documentary, Inside Edition say something like this to a policeman.

My son is missing. You should be finding him.

at 0:45

Could you please give your take on this?

Thanks,

Tom


  

Top answer

Mr. Tom Sorry, I was busy finding my keys. (instead of looking for) This does not strike me as all that unusual in US English.

— Anonymous

  • Mr.
  • Tom Sorry, I was busy finding my keys.
  • (instead of looking for) This does not strike me as all that unusual in US English.
  • It's a little unusual.
  • Mr.
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2 Answers
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Mr. TomSorry, I was busy finding my keys. (instead of looking for)

This does not strike me as all that unusual in US English. It's a little unusual.

Mr. TomWhat are you finding in my room? (instead of looking for)

This is not possible in US English.

Mr. TomI think the sentence above are
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Mr. TomSorry, I was busy finding my keys. (instead of looking for)

The difference is that "find" is a one-time event. Look for is durative.

e.g.

I was looking for my keys for an hour, but never found them.

Of course, it there are many items, as on a scavenger hunt or treasure hunt, the continuous is used.
Children spend al
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