pursue being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pursue being' is not grammatically correct or usable in written English.
You could use the phrase 'pursue becoming' instead. For example: She was determined to pursue becoming the best version of herself.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I'm not going to pursue being in the NBA or something – I know that's not going to happen.

The Guardian - Film

I had crushes on all kinds of people but I just wanted to strike out and pursue being a performer.

The Guardian

"I can't pursue being a follower of Jesus and picking and choosing from what it is in Scripture that I want to follow," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

When I went to sixth-form college I got really into film editing and post production, and decided to pursue being an editor.

The Guardian

It tracks the travails of Jawad, a young Shia corpse washer from Baghdad, who decides to leave the depressing family business to pursue being a sculptor – his ambitions are cut short by the circumstances of history.

The Guardian - Books

Jenna Avery, a "life coach for sensitive souls," counsels people to accept or even pursue being "out of sync" with mainstream society, and be aware of other's judgments of people as too sensitive, too emotional, or too dramatic.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But the only activity they seem to pursue is waiting.

The New York Times

The diet you wish to pursue is entirely your choice.

WikiHow

Two other women have actively pursued being my friend.

Huffington Post

And privatization, once pursued, is difficult to reverse.

The New York Times

The special player that Reiner was pursuing was Johan Santana.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing aspirations, consider using alternatives like "strive to be" or "aim to be" for clearer and more conventional expression.

Common error

Avoid using "pursue being" in formal writing or academic contexts. While it may appear in informal settings, it is generally considered grammatically awkward and can detract from the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursue being" functions as a verbal phrase, where "pursue" acts as the main verb and "being" functions as a gerund. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is not grammatically sound in standard English. The examples show attempts to use it in various contexts, but a more appropriate form is typically preferred.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "pursue being" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and awkward. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. A more appropriate and common alternative is "pursue becoming", which more clearly indicates the act of striving toward a specific state or condition. While News & Media sources contain instances of its usage, it is advisable to opt for more conventional phrases like "strive to be" or "aim to be" in formal writing to ensure clarity and professionalism. Therefore, "pursue being" should be used with caution, if at all.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursue becoming

Replaces the gerund "being" with "becoming", which is grammatically correct and more commonly used to indicate a process of transformation.

strive to be

Uses a more common and grammatically sound construction with "strive" to convey effort towards achieving a certain state.

endeavor to be

A more formal and slightly less common synonym for "strive to be", indicating a serious attempt.

aim to be

Indicates a goal or intention to achieve a specific state or role.

seek to be

Similar to "aim to be", but suggests a more active search or quest for a particular state.

try to be

A more general and less formal way of expressing an attempt to reach a certain state.

aspire to be

Emphasizes ambition and a strong desire to achieve a higher state or role.

work towards being

Focuses on the effort and progress made in the process of achieving a certain state.

focus on being

Highlights the concentration and attention given to achieving a particular state.

concentrate on being

Similar to "focus on being", emphasizing the deliberate direction of one's efforts.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct alternative to "pursue being"?

A more grammatically correct and commonly used alternative is "pursue becoming", which indicates a process of transformation or development.

When is it appropriate to use "pursue being"?

While not grammatically standard, "pursue being" might appear in informal or creative writing. However, it's generally best to opt for clearer and more conventional alternatives in formal contexts.

What does it mean to "pursue becoming"?

To "pursue becoming" means to actively work towards and strive for a particular state, role, or version of oneself.

Is "pursue being" considered formal English?

No, "pursue being" is not considered formal English. Alternatives like "strive to be" or "aim to be" are more appropriate for formal contexts.