I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Beyond being the lyrics of a famous U2 song, "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" is a grammatically complex sentence and there are a few grammar points that merit explanation.

Grammar Point #1: Still

In this case, still means he has been looking for something for a long time. By now, he would have expected to find it, but, alas, he hasn't.

Example: #1) I have been looking for a job for a year, but I still haven't found one.
#2) I looked all over the house for my glasses, but I still haven't found them.


Grammar Point #2: haven't found (Present Perfect)

The present perfect tense is used for actions that have/haven't been achieved. Within the song, finding what he's looking for has yet to happen. However, he hasn't given up looking.

Example: #1) Aha! I have found what I'm looking for.
#2) I have seen this movie.
#3) I have been to hell and back.


Grammar Point #3: What (Relative Clause)

In short, a relative clause is used to describe something according an action acted upon it. Confused? Me, too. In the U2 song, Bono is looking for something and means to indicate that he hasn't found it. Since we don't know what the thing is (e.g. his insulin shots), we can only refer to it by the action.

Example: #1) I heard what you said about me.
#2) I like what you wrote in the letter.
#3) I don't care what you think about me.
#4) Don't look at what I left in the toilet.


Grammar Point #4: Looking for (Present progressive / phrasal verbs)

In this song, the singer is presently looking for something. And when he finds it, we can assume he'll stop. At that point, he will say, "I found what I have been looking for." There are more phrasal verbs we more commonly hear in the present progressive tense.

Example: #1) What you are looking for? I'm looking for my pet squirrel.
#2) What are you thinking about? I'm thinking about my missing squirrel.
#3) What are you talking about? We're talking about husbandry.
#4) What are you waiting for? I'm waiting for spring, so I can go swimming again.
#5) What exactly are you asking for? I'm asking for money to pay off the mafia.