pursue myself

USAGE SUMMARY

'pursue myself' is not correct and usable in written English.
You would not be able to use it in standard English. Instead, you would need to use a phrase such as 'pursue my own interests'. For example, I have decided to pursue my own interests and take a break from work.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Though I could read, and even blurb, friends' books on dogs, I felt about them as if the same friends had written books on polar exploration: I could grasp it as a subject worthy of extended poetic description, but it was not a thing I had any plans to pursue myself.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's me, pursuing myself!

BMC Medical Education

I never wanted to pursue it myself, but rather I wanted him to.

Forbes

And because I was so clear about what other people expected of me, I was sometimes a little shaky about what I really wanted to pursue for myself.

Huffington Post

Not because such enquiries are not legitimate - I have pursued them myself more than once - but because they are not new and I doubt there is much new to say about them.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I thought it was a perfect time to pursue something for myself, because my kids were older," she said.

The New York Times

"However, because I have the lifeline of a bursary, I'm able to better myself, pursue a career doing something I love and set an example to my daughter".

The Guardian

I did do some short-range technology projects, but I was also able pursue things for myself".

Science Magazine

The huge prize pool gave many players who were on the edge of playing professionally the reason they needed to pursue their interests, myself included.

Forbes

I was extremely confused and neurotic, mostly neurotic, and couldn't let myself pursue this thing that I wanted and was good at.

University of Chicago

And I want him to relax and maybe not always be so cute and caring and trying to please me, so that maybe I can pursue him a little myself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the reflexive construction "pursue myself", specify what you are pursuing. For example, say "pursue my dreams" or "pursue my goals".

Common error

Do not use "pursue" reflexively. "Pursue" requires a direct object that clarifies what is being sought or aimed for. The reflexive form creates grammatical awkwardness and is not standard English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursue myself" functions as an incorrect reflexive construction. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is not standard English. The verb "pursue" requires a direct object, specifying what is being sought after, which is missing in this reflexive form.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pursue myself" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's better to specify what you are pursuing (e.g., "pursue my goals" or "pursue my interests"). Although examples exist, these are infrequent and do not represent common usage. Using alternatives like "follow my dreams" or "strive for my ambitions" ensures clarity and grammatical correctness. Prioritize precise language to communicate your intended meaning effectively and avoid this awkward reflexive construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursue my own interests

Focuses on specific interests rather than a reflexive action.

strive for personal growth

Emphasizes self-improvement as the goal.

work towards my ambitions

Highlights the active effort in achieving goals.

dedicate myself to my goals

Stresses commitment and focus on objectives.

follow my passions

Emphasizes emotional connection and enthusiasm.

advance my personal agenda

Suggests proactively pushing personal objectives.

cultivate my skills

Highlights improving one's abilities and knowledge.

develop my potential

Focuses on realizing untapped capabilities.

realize my aspirations

Stresses making one's dreams a reality.

commit to self-improvement

Highlights a pledge to enhance oneself.

FAQs

How can I express the idea of working towards my own goals correctly?

Use phrases like "pursue my goals", "follow my dreams", or "strive for my ambitions" to clearly indicate what you are trying to achieve.

Is "pursue myself" grammatically correct?

No, "pursue myself" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "pursue" typically requires a direct object that specifies what is being pursued.

What's a more common way to phrase "pursue myself"?

More common alternatives include "pursue my interests", "work towards my goals", or "follow my passions".

Can "pursue myself" ever be used correctly in any context?

While rare, it could potentially be used in highly specific or metaphorical contexts, but it is generally best to avoid it in favor of clearer and more conventional phrasing such as "devote myself to" or "dedicate myself to".