are pursuing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are pursuing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is actively seeking or striving to achieve something. Example: "The researchers are pursuing new methods to improve renewable energy efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Police are pursuing him.

Independent

They are pursuing different strategies.

The New Yorker

Some companies are pursuing treatments.

The New York Times

Other cable networks are pursuing similar strategies.

The New York Times - Arts

Here, they are pursuing a red herring.

The New York Times

Fourth, we are pursuing a negotiated peace.

The New York Times

Scientists are pursuing some intriguing possibilities.

The New York Times

Other health systems are pursuing similar models.

The New Yorker

His followers are pursuing both.

The New York Times

We are pursuing several projects.

Stanford University

"The police are pursuing for an AVO".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing legal actions, "are pursuing" often indicates an intent to seek justice or enforce a right.

Common error

Avoid using "pursue" in passive constructions where the subject is not actively seeking something. For instance, instead of "The matter is being pursued by the committee", use "The committee is investigating the matter" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are pursuing" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action. According to Ludwig, it denotes actively striving towards a goal or objective. It describes what someone is currently doing in order to achieve something, as shown in examples such as "Scientists are pursuing some intriguing possibilities."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are pursuing" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe an active and ongoing effort towards a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. While alternatives like "are seeking" or "are aiming for" exist, "are pursuing" emphasizes both the intention and the process of striving towards an objective. Remember to avoid passive constructions and ensure the subject is actively involved in the pursuit. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can effectively use "are pursuing" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are seeking

Emphasizes the act of looking for or trying to find something, often implying a more general search.

are aiming for

Focuses on the intention to achieve a specific objective or target.

are striving for

Suggests a determined effort and struggle to reach a particular goal.

are working towards

Highlights the process and ongoing effort invested in achieving something.

are endeavoring to

Implies a serious and often formal attempt to accomplish something.

are chasing

Indicates a rapid or persistent pursuit, often with the connotation of difficulty.

are following

Highlights adherence to a particular path, method, or leader.

are undertaking

Emphasizes the act of starting or engaging in a particular project or task.

are dedicating themselves to

Highlights the commitment and focus given to a particular cause or objective.

are tackling

Implies dealing with or addressing a specific problem or challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "are pursuing" in a sentence?

The phrase "are pursuing" is used to describe an active effort to achieve something. For example: "The company "are pursuing" new markets" or "Scientists "are pursuing" a cure for the disease".

What are some alternatives to saying "are pursuing"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "are pursuing" with phrases like "are seeking", "are aiming for", or "are striving for".

Is there a difference between "are pursuing" and "are following"?

"Are pursuing" implies an active attempt to reach a goal, while "are following" suggests adhering to a path or method. For example, "They "are pursuing" a new strategy" (trying to achieve something) versus "They "are following" the instructions" (adhering to a set of rules).

When is it appropriate to use "are pursuing" in formal writing?

The phrase "are pursuing" is suitable for formal writing when you want to convey a sense of purpose and direction in achieving a specific objective. It is often used in business, academic, and legal contexts.