i was pursuing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was pursuing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or effort to achieve something in the past. Example: "I was pursuing a degree in biology when I decided to switch my major."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I was pursuing this very, very intensely," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Like William Francis Gibbs, like Steven himself, I was pursuing perfect form.

The New York Times

One theme I was pursuing, mostly in London, was a "slice of space and time".

The New Yorker

When he was silent I could recover the illusion I was pursuing.

The New Yorker

It was already alleged that I was pursuing a vendetta against him.

The Guardian

"I finally felt like I was pursuing something valid," Ms. Tsuna said.

The New York Times - Tech

Although I was pursuing my passion, I soon found myself lost in draft upon draft of flailing, failing novels.

The Washington Post

Nearly 15 years ago, I informed my skeptical father that I was pursuing a job with the Central Intelligence Agency.

The Washington Post

I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realize I was mistaken," Rose said.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was pursuing a career in fashion PR in Miami.

The Guardian

"Before I was pursuing science of any kind, I was telling stories," Polish says.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms to "pursuing" like "engaged in", "working on", or "dedicated to", to add variety to your writing and more accurately reflect the nuance of your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "I was pursuing" when the action was a one-time event. "Pursuing" implies an ongoing effort, so reserve it for activities that involved a sustained commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was pursuing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action in the past. It combines a subject pronoun ("I"), a form of the verb "to be" ("was"), and the present participle of the verb "pursue" ("pursuing"). As Ludwig AI exemplifies, this construction expresses a past activity aimed at achieving a specific goal or objective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was pursuing" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase for describing continuous actions aimed at achieving a goal in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, especially News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the objective being pursued. If needed, alternatives such as "I was engaged in" or "I was working on" can provide a slightly different nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was engaged in

Replaces "pursuing" with a more general term for involvement, slightly broadening the scope.

I was working on

Focuses on the active effort of working towards something, emphasizing the labor involved.

I was dedicated to

Highlights the commitment and dedication involved in the activity.

I was aiming for

Emphasizes the goal-oriented aspect of the activity, focusing on the intended outcome.

I was in the process of

Indicates an ongoing action or development, adding a sense of progress.

I had been seeking

Shifts focus to the search or quest for something, rather than the active pursuit.

I undertook

Suggests a more formal or significant commitment to the endeavor.

I was following

Implies a path or direction being taken, often in a more passive or observational sense.

I sought after

Highlights the act of searching or desiring something intensely.

I set out to achieve

Focuses on the initiation of an action with a specific objective in mind.

FAQs

How do I use "I was pursuing" in a sentence?

Use "I was pursuing" to describe an action you were actively engaged in to achieve a specific goal over a period of time. For example, "I was pursuing a degree in medicine" or "I was pursuing a career in journalism".

What can I say instead of "I was pursuing"?

You can use alternatives like "I was engaged in", "I was working on", or "I was aiming for" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I am pursuing" instead of "I was pursuing"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they refer to different time frames. "I am pursuing" indicates that you are currently engaged in the action, while "I was pursuing" indicates that you were engaged in the action in the past.

What's the difference between "I was pursuing" and "I pursued"?

"I was pursuing" implies a continuous action in the past, suggesting you were in the process of achieving something. "I pursued" suggests a completed action or a more general statement about your past efforts. For example, "I was pursuing a solution" suggests ongoing effort, while "I pursued a solution" suggests you tried to find one.