pursuing a target

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pursuing a target" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to goals, objectives, or missions, often in business, military, or personal development discussions. Example: "The marketing team is focused on pursuing a target of increasing sales by 20% this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's long been pursuing a target of getting 40% of its revenues coming from digital by 2018.

TechCrunch

Eden et al. [33] found poor smooth pursuit in dyslexics, particularly when pursuing a target moving from left to right.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Second, the genetics of drug targets can continue to inform drug development even after the decision has been made to pursue a target.

Nature

A guidance law aims at making a UAV pursue a target's horizontal position while vertically avoiding obstacles whose global positions are known.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

This paper presents the development of a cooperation strategy for multiple UAVs to pursue a target moving in an adversarial environment where threat exposure should be minimized, and obstacles and restricted areas should be avoided.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The Tracon plans to assign five controllers each eight-hour shift to follow the fighter planes on radar, and advise commercial planes to get out of the way if the fighters leave their assigned airspace to pursue a target.

The New York Times

In an interview with the Nikkei business daily published Friday, Mr. Abe said he would seek in writing an agreement from the bank to pursue a target of 2 percent inflation, though he said the agreement would not set a deadline.

The New York Times

Tendulkar took a run at 200 in November against Australia, but fell on 175, a victim of exhaustion and India's need to pursue a target it just failed to reach.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's when it gets really risky, because people will start having second thoughts about leaving money in banks".By contrast, Brazil's Central Bank pursues a target for inflation, rather than the exchange rate.

The Economist

"We don't do work where someone has already pursued a target and we can make another version of that drug," says Perlmutter. "That is not to say that kind of work is unimportant.

Science Magazine

The monkey either pursued a target across a dark screen (pursuit in darkness) or fixated centrally as rotation was simulated in the 3D dot cloud (simulated rotation).

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pursuing a target" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and sustained effort towards achieving a specific goal, especially in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "pursuing a target" in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "going for it" or "aiming for" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursuing a target" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of actively working towards a specific objective. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pursuing a target" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the act of actively working towards a specific goal. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for use in various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and formal business settings. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's advisable to avoid using it in overly informal situations, opting instead for simpler alternatives. This phrase is often employed to emphasize a strategic and sustained effort towards achieving a defined aim. Alternatives include "aiming for a goal", "striving for an objective", and "working toward a purpose".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiming for a goal

Focuses on the act of directing effort towards a specific aim, differing slightly in its connotation of intentionality.

striving for an objective

Implies persistent and determined effort to achieve a particular objective, adding a sense of struggle.

working toward a purpose

Highlights the effort expended in progressing towards a defined purpose or intention.

seeking an objective

Emphasizes the act of searching or trying to obtain a desired objective.

endeavoring to achieve a goal

Conveys a sense of earnest and sincere attempt to reach a specified goal, implying commitment.

attempting to reach a target

Focuses on the action of trying to get to the target.

going after a target

A more informal way of saying pursuing, suggesting a direct and active approach.

chasing a goal

Implies speed and eagerness in the pursuit, often used when the goal is competitive or elusive.

following a lead

Suggests pursuing a direction or piece of information that may lead to a desired outcome.

on the trail of a goal

Emphasizes the investigative aspect of pursuing something, suggesting a deliberate search.

FAQs

How can I use "pursuing a target" in a sentence?

"Pursuing a target" fits well in sentences describing strategic efforts or goals, such as, "The company is pursuing a target of 10% growth this year."

What are some alternatives to "pursuing a target"?

Alternatives include "aiming for a goal", "striving for an objective", or "working toward a purpose", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "pursuing a target" formal or informal?

"Pursuing a target" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, or official communications. More casual settings might benefit from simpler alternatives.

What's the difference between "pursuing a target" and "chasing a goal"?

"Pursuing a target" implies a more methodical and strategic approach, whereas "chasing a goal" suggests a more urgent or possibly less planned effort. The best choice depends on the context and the desired emphasis.