is pursued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pursued" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone or something (or an idea) that is being actively searched for or actively followed. For example, "The criminal is pursued by the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An innocent who carries a guilty secret is pursued.

The Guardian

nuclear, option is pursued".

The New Yorker

Finally he is pursued by a battleship.

The New Yorker

The nymph Io is pursued by the god Jupiter.

Independent

He is pursued by the ghosts of the past.

The Economist

He is pursued by social services snoops, creditors, psychiatrists.

The Guardian - Arts

Anyone who might stand in the way is pursued.

The Guardian

"Massu is pursued by demons," a friend said.

The New Yorker

In Villalpando, Zamora, a bull is pursued by cars.

The Guardian

During his rehabilitation, Jeff is pursued by journalists and photographers.

The New Yorker

As long as it is pursued fairly, such re-balancing should benefit society.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is pursued" to describe ongoing efforts towards a specific goal or the state of being followed by someone or something. For instance, "Justice is pursued through legal means."

Common error

Avoid using "is pursued" when an active construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The goal is pursued by the team", consider "The team pursues the goal" for more directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pursued" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action, rather than the actor. This means something or someone is having the action of pursuing done to them. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is pursued" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to describe something being actively followed or sought after. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It's primarily found in scientific and news-related content, indicating a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's essential to ensure an active construction isn't more suitable for clarity. Alternatives such as "is sought after" or "is chased" can be used to fine-tune the meaning depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is chased

Focuses more on the physical act of following quickly.

is followed

Implies a more general or passive form of being tracked.

is sought after

Emphasizes the desirability of the subject.

is aimed at

Highlights the direction or target of the effort.

is strived for

Emphasizes the effort and determination involved.

is hunted

Suggests a more aggressive and relentless pursuit.

is tracked

Implies a systematic and often technological method of following.

is shadowed

Suggests a discreet or covert form of following.

is investigated

Focuses on a formal inquiry or examination.

is prosecuted

Specifically refers to legal action being taken.

FAQs

How do I use "is pursued" in a sentence?

Use "is pursued" to describe something or someone being actively followed, sought after, or aimed for. For instance, "The suspect is pursued by the authorities", or "A career in medicine is pursued by many students".

What's the difference between "is pursued" and "is followed"?

"Is pursued" often implies a more active or intense effort than "is followed". While "is followed" can simply mean to come after, "is pursued" suggests a deliberate attempt to catch or achieve something.

Which is more appropriate: "is pursued" or "is chased"?

The choice depends on the context. "Is chased" implies a faster, more urgent pursuit, often in a physical sense. "Is pursued" can refer to both physical and abstract goals.

What can I say instead of "is pursued"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is sought after", "is aimed at", or "is strived for".