persistent pursuit

USAGE SUMMARY

'persistent pursuit' is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is determined and undeterred in the pursuit of a goal. For example, you might say "John's persistent pursuit of his dreams eventually paid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The fearless, unbounded, persistent pursuit of truth threatens conventional wisdom.

Princeton University

For example, did the photographer (or photographers) engage in "persistent pursuit" in order to shoot them?

The Guardian

You must not intimidate or harass individuals nor engage in persistent pursuit.

Independent

"Being in a relationship with Kim for twelve years is a persistent pursuit and analysis of parapraxis," Kushner says.

The New Yorker

Every sports franchise is in persistent pursuit of its glory days, hoping to match, or exceed, the team's best era.

The New York Times - Sports

North Korea's persistent pursuit of missiles and nuclear weapons has long been one of the most intractable foreign policy problems for US administrations.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

How could a guy be so persistent in pursuit a romantic interest?

Huffington Post

Michaels, a possibly once good man driven mad by broadcast journalism, tells Ashley, "Journalism, as you know, is a profession that requires its participants to be aggressive, skeptical, and persistent in pursuit of the truth.

The New Yorker

The Pakistan Army understands this international equation thoroughly and exploits the gaps — it is careful not to expose its direct fingerprints, and yet it is brazenly persistent in pursuit of its objective of military pressure against India in Kashmir and political-military pressure on India more broadly.

The New Yorker

Lippman found that women who watched films featuring persistent romantic pursuit, including There's Something About Mary and Management, were more likely to accept so-called stalking myths than those who watched films depicting frightening male aggression – in this case Sleeping With the Enemy and Enough – or benign nature documentaries such as March of the Penguins and Winged Migration.

The Guardian - Film

Creating an opportunity to displace your competitor is going to require more than one communication, which means you need a patient, persistent, professional pursuit plan to capture mindshare with the contacts within your dream client's company.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "persistent pursuit" when you want to emphasize the unwavering dedication and determination in striving towards a specific goal. It conveys a sense of continuous effort despite obstacles.

Common error

While "persistent pursuit" is widely applicable, it can sound overly formal or intense in casual settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "keeping at it" or "sticking with it" in informal conversations to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "persistent pursuit" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing dedicated efforts toward achieving goals, indicating a proactive and determined approach.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "persistent pursuit" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that effectively conveys the idea of unwavering dedication toward a specific goal. As Ludwig examples show, this phrase is frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts, marking a formal tone. While understandable in informal contexts, keep in mind that it's generally more appropriate for professional writing. Alternatives such as "unyielding chase" or "determined effort" can be used to vary your language while maintaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unyielding chase

This alternative replaces "persistent" with "unyielding", highlighting the unwavering nature of the effort. It also replaces "pursuit" with "chase", implying a more active and dynamic process.

determined effort

This focuses on the resolve behind the action, using "determined" instead of "persistent" and "effort" instead of "pursuit", shifting the emphasis to the energy expended.

relentless quest

This uses "relentless" to underscore the continuous and unstopping nature of the endeavor, with "quest" suggesting a more significant and meaningful undertaking.

dogged endeavor

The word "dogged" implies a stubborn and tenacious approach, replacing "persistent", while "endeavor" suggests a serious and sustained effort, changing "pursuit".

tireless striving

This emphasizes the continuous exertion of energy, using "tireless" instead of "persistent" and "striving" to convey the effort involved in achieving something.

constant chase

The term "constant" highlights the continuous, unbroken nature of the chase, while "chase" suggests an active and ongoing effort to catch or obtain something.

steady aim

This phrase uses "steady" to suggest a consistent and unwavering focus, and "aim" replaces pursuit to focus on the objective.

unceasing striving

The term "unceasing" emphasizes the nonstop nature of the effort, and "striving" implies a continuous and determined attempt to achieve something, changing the dynamic from pursuit.

sustained push

This alternative replaces "persistent" with "sustained" and "pursuit" with "push", focusing on the continuous exertion of force or effort toward a goal.

vigorous prosecution

This is typically used in a legal context, referring to the forceful and diligent carrying out of legal proceedings.

FAQs

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

You can use "persistent pursuit" to describe someone's dedication to a goal, as in "Her "persistent pursuit" of knowledge led her to become a renowned expert in her field".

What are some alternatives to "persistent pursuit"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "unyielding chase", "determined effort", or "relentless quest" as alternatives to "persistent pursuit".

Is "persistent pursuit" suitable for both formal and informal writing?

While grammatically correct for most writing contexts, "persistent pursuit" is generally more appropriate for formal or professional writing. In informal settings, consider alternatives like "keeping at it" or "sticking with it".

What distinguishes "persistent pursuit" from "obsessive pursuit"?

"Persistent pursuit" suggests determined effort towards a legitimate goal, while "obsessive pursuit" implies an unhealthy or irrational fixation that may disregard boundaries or ethical considerations. The key difference lies in the motivation and appropriateness of the behavior.