pursue prey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pursue prey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to hunting, wildlife behavior, or metaphorically in competitive situations where one entity is chasing another. Example: "The lion will often pursue prey across the savannah, using its speed and stealth to catch its next meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

They actively search for and pursue prey or capture it by ambush.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most use their cnidae and associated toxin to capture food, although none is known actually to pursue prey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This evolved as an adaptation to pursue prey into holes in the ground, but is now helping fishers colonize suburban forests.

The New York Times

Adults can pursue prey as deep as 100 metres (330 feet), but most prey is captured within 45 50 metres (about 150 165 feet) of the surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The rapid and extensive jaw protrusion of the goblin shark may compensate for its apparent lack of ability for fast and sustained swimming to pursue prey.

Nature

Keen senses, large canine teeth, powerful jaws, and the ability to pursue prey at 60 km (37 miles) per hour equip the gray wolf well for a predatory way of life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

His backdrop was a window onto a dark forest; videos showed plants blossoming, predators pursuing prey and ravaging storms.

The New York Times - Arts

Hunting sometimes is undertaken is cooperative groups that band together in pursuit of prey or take turns pursuing prey.

Cornell University

Animals, such as the lynx, that are adapted to snowy regions have a harder time pursuing prey.

Yale University

With less snow cover, animals adapted to snowy regions have a harder time pursuing prey or avoiding predators.

Yale University

Cheetahs' sprints have been measured at a maximum of 114 km (71 miles) per hour, and they routinely reach velocities of 80 100 km per hour while pursuing prey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing animal behavior in scientific writing, use "pursue prey" to convey active hunting rather than passive scavenging.

Common error

Avoid using "pursue prey" when describing ambush predators. The phrase implies active chasing, which isn't accurate for animals that lie in wait.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursue prey" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "pursue" acts as a transitive verb, taking "prey" as its direct object. It describes the action of a predator actively hunting its food, a common theme in wildlife and ecological contexts. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pursue prey" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to delineate the predatory hunting behavior of animals. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. While it appears in a range of sources, it finds prevalence in scientific, encyclopedic and academic contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure its accurate application to active hunting scenarios, differentiating it from ambush tactics. Alternatives like "hunt game" or "chase quarry" can provide nuanced alternatives. As observed by Ludwig AI, it is indeed fit to be used in several high quality contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hunt game

Replaces "prey" with "game", focusing on the act of hunting animals for food or sport.

chase quarry

Uses "chase" instead of "pursue" and "quarry" instead of "prey", both implying a hunt.

stalk victim

Replaces "pursue" with "stalk" and "prey" with "victim", suggesting a more stealthy or sinister hunt.

track down food

Focuses on the act of finding food, using "track down" to emphasize the search.

hunt for sustenance

Emphasizes the need for survival, using "sustenance" instead of directly referring to the prey.

prey upon

Inverts the sentence structure, focusing on the action of preying.

go after target

Uses more general terms, where "target" refers to the prey.

capture meal

Highlights the end goal of the hunt, which is to obtain a meal.

seek nourishment

Shifts the focus to the predator's need for food, using "nourishment" as a broader term.

forage for food

Describes a more general search for food, not necessarily involving a chase.

FAQs

How can I use "pursue prey" in a sentence?

You can use "pursue prey" to describe the hunting behavior of animals, such as "The cheetah uses its speed to "pursue prey" on the African savanna".

What are some synonyms for "pursue prey"?

Alternatives to "pursue prey" include "hunt game", "chase quarry", or "stalk victim", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "hunt prey" or "pursue prey"?

"Hunt prey" is a broader term for seeking out and killing animals for food. "Pursue prey" specifically implies chasing or actively following the prey, suggesting an active hunting method.

What is the difference between "pursue prey" and "prey on"?

"Pursue prey" describes the action of a predator chasing its food. "Prey on" describes the action of attacking or exploiting the prey. For example, a lion might "pursue prey", and parasites "prey on" a host.