being pursued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'being pursued' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an action taken by an individual in the present, such as a decision or goal. For example, "The student is being pursued by several universities for their excellence in academics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which are being pursued?

The New York Times

I am being pursued.

The New York Times - Magazine

Electrical enhancement is also being pursued.

The Economist

He was certain he was being pursued.

The New York Times

Two workarounds are being pursued.

Nature

Criminal charges are not being pursued.

The New York Times

Neither are new ideas being pursued.

The Guardian - Business

All are being pursued by major labels.

The New York Times - Arts

Other suspects are also being pursued.

The Guardian - Music

Low point: Being pursued for interviews.

The Guardian - Books

They are being pursued, the statement said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being pursued" to clearly indicate an ongoing process of pursuit, whether literal (as in a chase) or figurative (as in the pursuit of a goal). For instance, “The company is being pursued by several investors” effectively conveys active interest.

Common error

Avoid using "being pursued" when a simpler tense is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The suspect is being pursued since yesterday", use "The suspect has been pursued since yesterday" or "The suspect was pursued yesterday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being pursued" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is the recipient of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being pursued" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an ongoing action where the subject is the recipient of a pursuit, whether literal or figurative. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, noting its frequent appearance across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. The phrase conveys a sense of active seeking or chasing. While broadly applicable, avoid misusing tense and opt for the simplest, most accurate phrasing. Alternatives such as "being chased" or "being sought after" may offer nuance depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being chased

Emphasizes the act of actively running away from something or someone.

being sought after

Highlights desirability and active attempts to acquire something or someone.

being hunted

Implies a more aggressive and determined pursuit.

being tracked

Focuses on the act of following someone's movements or progress.

being shadowed

Similar to being followed, but implies a more secretive or discreet pursuit.

being followed

Suggests a more passive form of pursuit, often without the subject's knowledge.

under investigation

Indicates a formal inquiry is taking place.

being courted

Suggests being actively wooed or charmed, typically in a romantic or business context.

being wooed

Similar to "being courted", emphasizing attempts to gain favor or affection.

being subjected to

This phrase refers to undergoing or experiencing something, typically negative.

FAQs

How can I use "being pursued" in a sentence?

You can use "being pursued" to describe someone or something that is actively being chased, sought after, or worked towards. For example, "The athlete is "being pursued" by several endorsement deals."

What are some alternatives to "being pursued"?

Some alternatives to "being pursued" include "being chased", "being sought after", or "under investigation", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was being pursued"?

Yes, "was being pursued" is grammatically correct. It's the past continuous passive form, used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past. For example, "The car "was being pursued" by the police when it crashed."

What's the difference between "being pursued" and "pursuing"?

"Being pursued" is passive, meaning someone or something is receiving the action. "Pursuing" is active, meaning someone or something is performing the action. For example, "The company is "being pursued" by investors" (passive) versus "The company is "pursuing" new markets" (active).