pursuant to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pursuant to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something is done in accordance with a rule, law, or agreement. Example: "The contract was executed pursuant to the terms agreed upon by both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

California sentenced Ewing pursuant to its "three-strikes" law.

The New York Times

Pursuant to his wishes, no funeral services will be held.

The New York Times

Pursuant to her wishes, no services are planned.

The New York Times

No such searches were conducted pursuant to a warrant.

The Guardian

Equally uncertain is whether it was pursuant to official policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

That manner is pursuant to a popular vote that's implemented pursuant to the general election laws of the state of Florida.

The New York Times

"Our lender has taken possession of the ships pursuant to the ships' mortgages".

The New York Times

"Mandatory provisional suspensions were imposed pursuant to article 7.9.1 of the UK Anti-Doping rules.

The Guardian - Sport

"What we will do is follow specific leads," he said, all "pursuant to the Constitution".

The New York Times

Consequently, the agents' entry and recovery of Elian was pursuant to a warrant and unambiguously lawful.

The New York Times

Congress may not abrogate the states' sovereign immunity pursuant to its Article I power over commerce.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pursuant to" in formal writing, especially in legal or official contexts, to clearly indicate that an action is being taken in accordance with a specific law, rule, or agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "pursuant to" in casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "according to" or "following" to maintain a natural tone.

How to use

Learn how to use "pursuant to" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursuant to" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a condition or legal basis for an action. It is commonly used to specify that something is done in accordance with a particular law, rule, or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pursuant to" is a formal phrase used to indicate that an action is taken in accordance with a specific rule, law, or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use in formal contexts such as legal documents, official reports, and academic writing. While it's grammatically sound, it should be avoided in informal settings where simpler alternatives like "according to" or "in accordance with" are more appropriate. Remember to use it when you need to emphasize the legal or regulatory basis for an action. This ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in accordance with

Replaces 'pursuant to' with a more common and slightly less formal phrase indicating agreement or conformity.

as stipulated in

Emphasizes that an action is being carried out exactly as specified in an agreement or document.

in compliance with

Emphasizes adherence to rules or regulations.

according to

A simpler and more general alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

under the terms of

Highlights the specific conditions or provisions being followed.

in line with

Suggests alignment or agreement with a standard or policy.

as per

A concise and formal substitute, often used in business or legal contexts.

consistent with

Implies that something is happening in a way that does not contradict something else.

by virtue of

Indicates that something is done based on a specific right or power.

subject to

Indicates that an action is conditional upon something else.

FAQs

How can I use "pursuant to" in a sentence?

Use "pursuant to" to indicate that an action is being taken in accordance with a specific rule, law, or agreement. For example, "The investigation was conducted "pursuant to" the regulations outlined in Section 4."

What are some alternatives to "pursuant to"?

You can use alternatives such as "in accordance with", "according to", or "in compliance with" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "pursuant to" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "pursuant to" is quite formal and is best reserved for legal, official, or otherwise formal written contexts. Using it in everyday conversation might sound stilted or overly formal. Simpler alternatives are usually more appropriate.

What's the difference between "pursuant to" and "subject to"?

"Pursuant to" means 'in accordance with', indicating compliance. "Subject to" means 'conditional upon' or 'dependent on', indicating that something will happen only if certain conditions are met.