pursued closely

USAGE SUMMARY

"pursued closely" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where someone is following or chasing another person or thing with intensity or attentiveness. Example: The detective pursued closely the suspect through the crowded streets. Alternative expressions include "followed closely" and "chased closely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Another image, taken seconds later, showed him running through the crowd pursued closely by police, holding the weapon aloft.

The Guardian

These merchant ships recognised the French warships and fled, pursued closely by Berceau and Sémillante.

Wikipedia

Meanwhile, Alviano, unexpectedly left without French support, retreated into the Veneto, pursued closely by the Spanish army under Cardona.

Wikipedia

Lancaster was pursued closely by the king's men and eventually captured at the Battle of Boroughbridge; he was later executed on the king's orders.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Suitably chastened by the discovery of his error, Essex increased the pace of his retreat, with the Royalists pursuing closely.

Wikipedia

Belle Poule and Côte d'Or exchange signals during the morning, and at 11 00 the transport suddenly raised sails and departed the anchorage, Terpsichore pursuing closely.

Wikipedia

Further back in fourth and fifth were the two BMW Saubers of Kubica and Heidfeld and behind them were Alonso, Trulli, Webber, Rosberg and Coulthard, with Kovalainen pursuing closely behind them.

Wikipedia

"But as a movement, he was unable to lead and manage as he was being pursued so closely".

The New York Times

He was always a symbol, but as a movement, he was unable to lead and manage as he was being pursued so closely".

The New York Times

More than 250 protesters walked quickly and sometimes ran through the streets of SoHo and the West Village, at one point storming through a movie set on Macdougal Street as groups of police vehicles with lights and sirens pursued them closely.

The New York Times

Captain Bruilhac on Belle Poule assisted his admiral for as long as possible, but at 06:15 swung away with British frigate pursuing closely.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase immediately after the subject or verb to maintain a direct flow, for example, "The suspect was pursued closely through the alleyways."

Common error

Avoid using "pursued closely" when the verb itself already implies extreme proximity or a lack of distance, such as "hugging the bumper" or "clinging to". In those cases, "closely" becomes redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursued closely" functions as an adverbial modification of a verb, most frequently appearing in passive voice constructions. According to Ludwig, it serves to qualify the action of following by adding a specific spatial dimension.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

27%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "pursued closely" is a versatile and grammatically robust expression favored in narrative, reportorial and technical writing. Ludwig AI results demonstrate that it is particularly prevalent in contexts involving physical chases, military history and competitive rankings. The phrase effectively combines the action of "pursuing" with the spatial precision of "closely", making it an ideal choice for writers who need to emphasize immediate pressure. Whether used in a scientific paper to describe cellular interactions or in a news article about a high-speed chase, it remains a clear and authoritative way to describe one entity following another at a very short distance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

followed closely

Focuses on the sequence of movement rather than the active chase or intent of the pursuer.

tailed at close range

A more informal or law-enforcement-oriented way to describe physical surveillance.

chased relentlessly

Adds a layer of persistence and determination that goes beyond simple spatial proximity.

tracked tightly

Common in sporting or technical contexts to describe maintaining a specific distance or position.

dogged persistently

Highlights the stubborn and unyielding nature of the pursuit over a long period.

shadowed nearby

Suggests a more discreet or observational type of following, often without the subject's knowledge.

trailed by a small margin

Specifically used in competitive rankings or races to describe a narrow gap in performance.

hunted down

Conveys a much more aggressive and predatory intent, often with a final goal of capture or harm.

harried constantly

Focuses on the distress and pressure exerted upon the person or group being followed.

closely monitored

Shifts the emphasis from physical movement to observation and data collection.

FAQs

How do I use "pursued closely" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical or metaphorical following, such as "The fleeing vehicle was pursued closely by three police cruisers."

What can I say instead of "pursued closely"?

Depending on your context, you might use "followed closely", "chased intently" or "trailed".

Is it "closely pursued" or "pursued closely"?

Both are correct. While "pursued closely" is often found in passive constructions (e.g., "he was pursued closely"), "closely pursued" is frequently used as an adjective phrase (e.g., "the closely pursued suspect").

What is the difference between "pursued closely" and "chased after"?

"pursued closely" sounds more formal and emphasizes the lack of distance, whereas "chased after" is more informal and focuses on the act of running behind someone.