individual pursuit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "individual pursuit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a personal or solitary effort towards a goal or interest. Example: "Her individual pursuit of knowledge led her to explore various fields of study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Olympic Women (Gold Medals) Individual Pursuit: Leontien Zijilaard, Netherlands.

The New York Times - Sports

He was a junior world champion in the individual pursuit.

The Guardian - Sport

Olympic Men (Gold Medals) Individual Pursuit: Robert Bartko, Germany.

The New York Times - Sports

They too have fallen to the individual pursuit of power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Too often, we think of creativity as an individual pursuit.

Harvard Business Review

The key test could be Friday afternoon's individual pursuit; this is potentially a weak spot.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Photograph: Mike Hutchings/Reuters 1.00pm BST Luis Mansilla of Chile competes in the men's omnium individual pursuit at the Velodrome.

The Guardian - Sport

Rowsell then beat New Zealand's Alison Shanks to win the individual pursuit.

BBC

In March 2011, Bobridge smashed Chris Boardman's 1996 individual pursuit world record.

BBC

He had some flaws in the points race and individual pursuit, which we need to spend some time on".

The Guardian - Sport

Laura Trott finished the three kilometre individual pursuit in 3min 25.054sec, not 2min 25.054sec as an earlier version said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "individual pursuit", ensure the context clearly indicates a solo activity or goal. For collaborative efforts, rephrase to reflect teamwork or shared objectives.

Common error

Avoid using "individual pursuit" when describing team-based activities. Instead, use phrases like "collective effort" or "group project" to accurately convey the collaborative nature of the undertaking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "individual pursuit" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It denotes an activity or goal undertaken by a single person, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "individual pursuit" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes activities or goals undertaken by a single person. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it fits seamlessly in various contexts, from describing personal hobbies to academic research. Its usage is particularly prevalent in News & Media sources. When writing, make sure the context clearly indicates a solo activity, and consider alternatives like "personal endeavor" for increased formality. Avoid using it for team-based activities to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal endeavor

Replaces 'pursuit' with 'endeavor', emphasizing effort and determination.

private quest

Substitutes 'pursuit' with 'quest', implying a more adventurous or exploratory undertaking.

solitary undertaking

Replaces both words with synonyms that highlight the isolated and committed nature of the activity.

independent activity

Focuses on the self-reliant aspect of the activity.

self-directed project

Emphasizes the autonomous and goal-oriented nature of the task.

personal mission

Conveys a sense of purpose and dedication beyond just a simple activity.

one's own venture

Highlights the entrepreneurial or innovative aspect of the undertaking.

single-handed effort

Underscores the lack of assistance from others.

alone initiative

Highlights the characteristic of something taken up alone.

self-motivated task

Focuses on the internal drive behind the activity.

FAQs

How to use "individual pursuit" in a sentence?

You can use "individual pursuit" to describe a hobby, goal, or project undertaken alone. For example, "Gardening is her favorite individual pursuit".

What can I say instead of "individual pursuit"?

You can use alternatives like "personal endeavor", "private quest", or "solitary undertaking" depending on the context.

Is "individual pursuit" formal or informal?

The term "individual pursuit" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific situation might influence your choice of words. In very formal writing, consider using "personal endeavor".

What's the difference between "individual pursuit" and "team effort"?

"Individual pursuit" describes an activity done alone, while "team effort" refers to a collaborative activity involving multiple people working towards a common goal.