pursue

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pursue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to follow, seek out, or chase after something. Example sentence: She decided to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is believed to have launched a long-range rocket and put an object into orbit in December 2012, defying scepticism and international warnings not to pursue such a programme, which could be used to develop intercontinental missiles.

The Guardian

Ms Tuchman argued that a folly's success was marked by the determination of its supporters to pursue a foolish and failed policy in the face of clear arguments in favour of an alternative course.

The Guardian - Opinion

Billy Elliot winningly forsook his mining heritage to pursue a post-industrial career in ballet, pirouetting past the picketlines, but his dream was ultimately embraced by the community, whose whip-round gets him to the big London audition.

The Guardian - Film

At the start of this year, he notes, both chambers of Congress passed budgets, and "had one side not decided to pursue a strategy of brinksmanship" they could have come together and figured it out.

The Guardian

And do national identities play a part in that?" When Kaye Campbell was offered the screenwriting job, he told the producers he could not go ahead until he had met E Randol Schoenberg, the US lawyer (played in the film by Ryan Reynolds) who gave up his job to help the octogenarian Altmann pursue her case.

The Guardian - Arts

But the second or third generation want to pursue art claims, as opposed to other financial assets, because it gives them a key to the taste of their grandparents and a glimpse of how their lives were before the Nazis".

The Guardian - Arts

There are police forces who had complaints on their books and chose not, for whatever reason, to pursue matters.

The Guardian

Would your writers not wish to pursue any avenue that might benefit a child who has suffered harm at the hands of another person?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The government of Sri Lanka decided to accept this "gesture of goodwill" and to not "pursue this distasteful issue any further", while carefully ignoring additional inclusions in the statement that "numerous cases of rape and sexual violence in Sri Lanka, particularly acts committed against women held in detention by the government", have been detailed in the past.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was insufficient time to pursue with the prime minister the possible Australian political analogies of a plotline in which a leader apparently set for a long reign is cut down prematurely.

The Guardian

I told the girl in the workshop to stay true to herself and follow her passion for acting but to reassure her parents that if it didn't work out she would pursue a career as a drama teacher.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing legal actions or investigations, "pursue" indicates a formal and persistent effort to uncover facts or achieve justice.

Common error

Avoid using "pursue" in very casual conversations where simpler verbs like "try" or "go for" might be more appropriate. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pursue" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being followed or strived for. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pursue" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of following a goal, action, or object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and other contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While generally neutral in tone, it can lean towards formality. Remember to use "pursue" when you want to emphasize determination and effort, but consider simpler alternatives like "try" or "go for" in casual settings. Pay attention to using the correct form "pursuit" when referring to the noun form. The diverse examples provided by Ludwig offer valuable insights into its contextual usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chase after

Emphasizes the act of actively following someone or something with the intent to catch them.

strive for

Highlights the effort and determination involved in trying to achieve something.

aim for

Focuses on setting a specific objective or goal.

seek out

Implies a deliberate search or quest for something.

follow through

Stresses the completion of an action or plan.

work towards

Indicates consistent effort and progress toward a specific outcome.

press on

Emphasizes persistence and determination in the face of challenges.

go after

A more informal way of saying to try and obtain something.

hunt down

Suggests a more aggressive and determined search.

track down

Implies finding something or someone after a careful search.

FAQs

How can I use "pursue" in a sentence?

You can use "pursue" to describe following a goal, like in the sentence "She decided to "pursue her dreams"". It can also mean to chase, as in "The police will "pursue the suspects"".

What are some synonyms for "pursue"?

Alternatives to "pursue" include "chase after", "strive for", or "aim for". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "pursue of happiness"?

While grammatically understandable, the more common phrasing is "pursuit of happiness". "Pursuit" is the noun form of "pursue" and is typically used in this context.

What's the difference between "pursue" and "chase"?

"Pursue" often implies a longer-term goal or objective, whereas "chase" typically refers to a more immediate or physical act of following. You might "pursue" a career, but "chase" a runaway dog.