frantic pursuit

USAGE SUMMARY

"frantic pursuit" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation in which someone is chasing or pursuing something or someone with intense urgency and desperation. Example: The police engaged in a frantic pursuit of the suspect, who was running through the crowded streets, trying to evade capture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Jason Whitlock of Foxsports.com, for one, cannot understand the Chiefs' leading the frantic pursuit of Reid.

The New York Times - Sports

By the fifties, the city was already in frantic pursuit of more "pure and wholesome water".

The New Yorker

But the frantic pursuit of big money makes it impossible to call this a grass-roots effort.

The New York Times

In his frantic pursuit of immediacy, the author plunges into one point of view after another without any sense of who's speaking, or where, or what's at stake.

The New York Times - Books

In the book, he describes the frantic pursuit that was also a suspended animation: "The streetlights speed past by the side of the ring road.

The Guardian - Books

Americans, caught in the frantic pursuit of success, and the McMansions and S.U.V.'s that come with it, don't have time for such a rich life.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

As was the case with Issa's frantic pursuits of previous "scandals" involving the Obama Administration — notably Benghazi, Solyndra, and the "Fast and Furious" program — the congressman had failed to back up his headline-grabbing charges with any real evidence, and only succeeded in turning the hearing into another dispiriting spectacle.

The New Yorker

What mad pursuit?

Wikipedia

A reviewer for The Hutchinson News, Jake Coyle, commented, "Director Brad Anderson... working from the simple, high-concept screenplay by Richard D'Ovidio, ably cuts between Berry's increasingly emotionally-attached Jordan Turner and Breslin's panicking Casey Welson, contrasting the fraught strategizing of Turner with the frantic police pursuit of the kidnapper".

Wikipedia

The additional worry is whether Steven Gerrard, Ferdinand's deputy, will be fully fit for South Africa at the end of what seems like a frantic three-month pursuit of a Champions League place for Liverpool.

Independent

In pursuit of the initial high, I became frantic about how class was run.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse in formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "intensive search" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Don't use "frantic pursuit" to describe a calm or routine activity. The word "frantic" implies a high degree of anxiety and disarray, which should be reflected in the situation being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frantic pursuit" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "frantic" modifies the noun "pursuit". It describes the manner in which something is being pursued, conveying a sense of urgency, desperation, and often chaos. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from police chases to the search for scientific breakthroughs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frantic pursuit" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that vividly depicts a chase or search characterized by urgency, desperation, and often chaos. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples across diverse contexts such as news, sports, and literature. While its register is generally neutral, careful consideration should be given to the specific context, with more formal settings potentially favoring less emotionally charged alternatives. When aiming to emphasize the intensity and anxiety of a situation, "frantic pursuit" serves as a powerful and expressive choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frenzied chase

Replaces "pursuit" with "chase", emphasizing the chaotic and uncontrolled nature of the pursuit.

desperate chase

Substitutes "frantic" with "desperate", highlighting the urgency and lack of hope in the chase.

feverish chase

Changes "frantic" to "feverish", suggesting a sense of excitement and heightened intensity in the chase.

mad dash

Replaces "frantic pursuit" with a more informal expression, "mad dash", indicating a hurried and chaotic movement.

wild scramble

Uses "wild scramble" instead of "frantic pursuit", portraying a chaotic and disorganized effort to obtain something.

hectic search

Substitutes "pursuit" with "search", focusing on the act of looking for something in a hurried and chaotic manner, and "frantic" with "hectic".

panicked hunt

Replaces "frantic" with "panicked" and "pursuit" with "hunt", emphasizing the fear and urgency in the search.

tumultuous quest

Changes "frantic pursuit" to "tumultuous quest", suggesting a chaotic and challenging search for a goal or objective.

intense seeking

Replaces "frantic pursuit" with a more formal term, "intense seeking", indicating a strong and determined effort to find something.

urgent quest

Substitutes "frantic" with "urgent", emphasizing the time-sensitive nature of the quest.

FAQs

How can I use "frantic pursuit" in a sentence?

You can use "frantic pursuit" to describe someone chasing after something with intense desperation, for example: "The police engaged in a "frantic pursuit" of the suspect."

What phrases are similar to "frantic pursuit"?

Similar phrases include "frenzied chase", "desperate chase", or "feverish chase", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "frantic pursuit" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "frantic pursuit" is best suited for contexts where you want to emphasize the intensity and desperation of the chase. In more formal settings, consider using "intensive search" or "urgent quest".

What's the difference between "frantic pursuit" and "urgent quest"?

"Frantic pursuit" emphasizes the chaotic and desperate nature of a chase, whereas "urgent quest" implies a pressing need to achieve a goal, without necessarily involving chaos.