search vs search for — examine vs look for (Murphy Unit 133)
Pattern
Section titled “Pattern”search + [thing/place] = examine it thoroughly (look through/inside). search for + [thing] = look for something lost/missing.
- A security guard searched my bag. ✓ (examined it)
- They searched for the missing child. (looked for)
The two meanings
Section titled “The two meanings”| Verb form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| search [thing/place] | examine it (contents, premises) | The police searched the house. |
| search for [thing/person] | look for something lost | They searched for the keys. |
| search [person] | frisk / check them | The guard searched me. |
Context decides
Section titled “Context decides”- searched my bag = the guard looked THROUGH my bag (examined contents) ✓
- searched for my bag = the guard was looking for where my bag was (as if lost) — wrong in this context
The card’s sentence is about entering a building — the guard checked the bag’s contents → searched my bag (no “for”).
Similar transitive verbs without “for” (trap)
Section titled “Similar transitive verbs without “for” (trap)”Same pattern as search: some verbs take a direct object (examine the thing), others need “for” (look for the thing):
| Verb | Examines the object (no prep) | Looks for (with for) |
|---|---|---|
| search | search the house | search for clues |
| check | check the documents | (check for errors) |
| inspect | inspect the car | — |
| examine | examine the patient | — |
Test application
Section titled “Test application”A security guard searched my bag as I entered the building.
Answer: searched my bag (no “for”) — the guard examined the bag’s contents.
Why not “searched for my bag”? — “for” implies looking for a lost bag. The guard isn’t hunting for the bag; he’s inspecting what’s inside it.
Source
Section titled “Source”Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use (4th ed.), Unit 133 — Verb + preposition 2. Ebot lesson 2026-08-29: “A security guard searched my bag / searched for my bag” → searched my bag (examine vs look for).