chase a ball

USAGE SUMMARY

"chase a ball" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone in pursuit of a physical ball, or it can be used metaphorically to describe someone in pursuit of an idea, goal, or opportunity. For example, "She was determined to chase her dreams, no matter how far away the ball seemed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Excuse me: I must chase a ball.

The New York Times

Nari will chase a ball until she drops.

The Guardian - Opinion

Except not there, Napoli doesn't chase a ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Then I was able to get him to chase a ball".

The New York Times - Sports

On at least three points, he stopped, declining to chase a ball that he ordinarily might have reached.

The New York Times

How to open up our emotions to a game where men chase a ball for 90 minutes?

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

But they're chasing a ball that shrinks as it bounces along.

The New York Times

"He's not chasing routes like a dog chasing a ball anymore," Mora said.

The New York Times - Sports

His golden retriever, Lefty, was chasing a ball around a practice field.

The New York Times - Sports

Zvonareva injured her ankle chasing a ball last month at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C.

The New York Times

As he chased a ball into the penalty area, he planted his left leg down.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chase a ball" to describe the literal act of pursuing a ball in sports or play, or use it metaphorically to describe pursuing a goal with enthusiasm.

Common error

Avoid using "chase a ball" in contexts where a more nuanced verb like "pursue", "seek", or "strive for" would better convey the intended meaning. The phrase can sound simplistic in formal or abstract discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chase a ball" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "chase" is the verb indicating the action and "a ball" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to describe the act of pursuing a physical ball or, metaphorically, a goal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chase a ball" is a common and grammatically sound expression, primarily used to describe the act of pursuing a ball in sports or play. As Ludwig AI points out, it can also be employed metaphorically to represent the enthusiastic pursuit of a goal or opportunity. While mainly found in neutral to informal contexts like news and media, it's essential to recognize its limitations in formal settings where more precise language might be required. Related phrases like "pursue a sphere" or "go after a ball" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go after a ball

More casual, focusing on the action of obtaining the ball.

run after a sphere

Emphasizes the running aspect of the pursuit.

follow a ball

Focuses on the act of keeping up with the ball's movement.

pursue a sphere

Formal rephrasing emphasizing the act of pursuit.

give chase to a ball

More formal and descriptive of the pursuit.

hunt for a ball

Highlights the search aspect of the action.

track down a ball

Implies effort in locating the ball before pursuing.

retrieve a ball

Highlights the objective of getting the ball back.

compete for a ball

Implies a contest or struggle to gain possession.

vie for a ball

Similar to 'compete', but with a stronger sense of rivalry.

FAQs

How can I use "chase a ball" in a sentence?

You can use "chase a ball" to describe someone physically running after a ball, as in "The dog loves to "chase a ball" in the park". It can also be used metaphorically to describe pursuing a goal enthusiastically.

What's a more formal way to say "chase a ball"?

Depending on the context, you might use more formal alternatives like "pursue an objective", "strive for a goal", or "endeavor to achieve" instead of "chase a ball".

Is it appropriate to use "chase a ball" in professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "chase a ball" is generally too informal for professional writing. More appropriate alternatives would be "pursue a target" or "work towards an objective".

What does it mean to "chase a ball" metaphorically?

Metaphorically, "chase a ball" means to eagerly pursue a goal or opportunity, similar to how someone would enthusiastically "chase a ball" during a game.