opt to pursue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opt to pursue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a choice or decision to follow a particular course of action or goal. Example: "After careful consideration, I have decided to opt to pursue a career in medicine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Napoli ended up signing Gonzalo Higuaín for £32m, a striker Wenger had been keen to buy for £23m only to opt to pursue Liverpool's Luis Suárez instead, though that whole sorry tale has come to epitomise the summer's toils.

The Guardian - Sport

At the same time the best athletes may opt to pursue the game's great paydays with clubs half a world away.

Forbes

Many of the remainder are already employed while working on their degrees, and some opt to pursue further full-time graduate study.

Science Magazine

Long before a woman faces the rigors of a Ph.D. program, she must opt to pursue a scientific career in the first place.

Science Magazine

Once again, the day was disrupted by showers, but the close-of-play situation means that, if Notts do not opt to pursue maximum batting points on the final day, two carefully calculated declarations could set up the chance of a positive result.

BBC

Canada may not opt to pursue a NAFTA case against the U.S. over the Volcker Rule.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Alfonso V (the Magnanimous; 1416 58) opted to pursue ambitions in Italy and generally neglected his peninsular domains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He also opted to pursue an allegedly more stable mode of profit: selling Confederate securities.

The New York Times

(In fact, because of this backlog, Mills's lawyers opted to pursue his commutation outside the official clemency initiative).

The New Yorker

Hersbach had received $17,500 through the scheme, while the Fosters had opted to pursue legal action outside of the church.

The Guardian

Counterproductive All things considered, it is puzzling that the applicants opted to pursue a judicial solution in this case.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opt to pursue" when you want to emphasize a deliberate choice or preference between multiple options. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and conveys a sense of considered decision-making.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "opt to pursue" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. In such situations, consider using simpler alternatives like "choose to follow" or "decide to try".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opt to pursue" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate choice or decision to follow a particular course of action. This is supported by examples in Ludwig, where it's used to express a conscious decision between alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "opt to pursue" serves as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate decision to undertake a specific action or goal. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable for use in writing. While "opt to pursue" is suitable for formal and neutral contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias, simpler alternatives like "choose to pursue" or "decide to pursue" might be preferred in informal settings. Remember to consider the audience and context when deciding whether to use "opt to pursue".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choose to pursue

Replaces "opt" with "choose", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

decide to pursue

Substitutes "opt" with "decide", indicating a more definitive resolution.

elect to pursue

Replaces "opt" with "elect", suggesting a formal or deliberate choice.

prefer to pursue

Indicates a preference in the choice of action, adding a layer of inclination.

undertake to pursue

Emphasizes the commitment to the action by using "undertake".

resolve to pursue

Suggests a firm decision and determination to follow a course of action.

take the decision to pursue

Expands the phrase to emphasize the act of making a decision.

make the choice to pursue

Highlights the act of choosing a particular path.

see fit to pursue

Adds a sense of appropriateness or suitability to the choice.

deem it appropriate to pursue

Conveys a judgment that pursuing the action is suitable or fitting.

FAQs

What does "opt to pursue" mean?

The phrase "opt to pursue" means to choose or decide to follow a particular course of action, goal, or objective. It implies a deliberate selection from multiple possibilities.

What can I say instead of "opt to pursue"?

You can use alternatives like "choose to pursue", "decide to pursue", or "elect to pursue" depending on the context.

Is "opt to pursue" formal or informal?

"Opt to pursue" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, simpler phrases like "choose to" or "decide to" may be more appropriate.

How do I use "opt to pursue" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "After careful consideration, the company may "opt to pursue" a different strategy." Remember to use it when a conscious decision is being made.