pursuing goals

USAGE SUMMARY

"pursuing goals" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used in the context of describing someone's actions or intentions towards achieving certain objectives. Example: She is determined to succeed in her career and spends all her time pursuing her goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

In many traditions, the best possible state does not involve being a little individual pursuing goals.

The New Yorker

But that's not the end of pursuing goals — it's the beginning of activating their resourcefulness to find another way.

The New York Times - Health

But this same logic doesn't apply when it comes to pursuing goals once we have set them.

Harvard Business Review

He believes the test also shows how the ability to postpone rewards is closely related to vigorously pursuing goals and to holding positive expectations.

The Economist

For pursuing goals of mapping soil carbon at the landscape scale, the relationships between sampling scale, representation of spatial variation, and accuracy of estimated error need to be considered.

Soil and Tillage Research

Underweight men showed a "defensive but active" pattern, expressing high avoidance on multiple dimensions, high levels of fusion, but also showing high hope and willingness to experience distress when pursuing goals.

Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

The series follows a half-dozen young people as they pursue goals that include getting drunk and being hung over.

The New York Times - Arts

His dreamy work pursues goals quite contrary to the constant concern for reality that characterised both Monet and Degas.

The Guardian - Arts

I pursue goals that are achievable and realistic.

Forbes

I pursue goals that others describe as difficult or audacious.

Forbes

Currently, around two-thirds of people say they pursue goals that are achievable and realistic.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sustained efforts over time, "pursuing goals" effectively conveys dedication and forward movement.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "goals being pursued" when the active voice ("pursuing goals") provides a clearer and more direct expression of agency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursuing goals" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe the act of working towards specific objectives. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its role in describing someone's actions or intentions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pursuing goals" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It describes the active process of working towards objectives and is versatile enough for various contexts, although most common in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia". As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, effective writing involves choosing the active voice over the passive and varying your phrasing using alternatives like "striving for objectives" or "working toward aims" to maintain clarity and engagement. Remember, using "pursuing goals" emphasizes the journey, so reserve it for situations where the effort is as important as the outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

striving for objectives

Replaces "goals" with "objectives" and "pursuing" with "striving", suggesting a more determined effort.

working toward aims

Uses "aims" instead of "goals", which might imply a slightly broader or less defined target, and uses "working toward" that sounds less formal

endeavoring to achieve targets

More formal; replaces "pursuing" with "endeavoring" and "goals" with "targets", connoting a structured approach.

seeking ambitions

Replaces "goals" with "ambitions", indicating a higher level of aspiration.

devoted to objectives

Changes the action from pursuing to a state of dedication, implying commitment.

dedicated to targets

Changes the action from pursuing to a state of dedication, implying commitment to reach a defined target.

chasing dreams

More figurative; replaces "goals" with "dreams", evoking a sense of aspiration and idealism.

advancing agendas

Suggests promoting a set of plans or intentions, often in a formal context.

furthering aspirations

Highlights the act of promoting personal or professional desires.

fulfilling ambitions

Focuses on the act of completing or realizing great personal achievements.

FAQs

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

You can use "pursuing goals" to describe someone actively working towards their objectives, such as: "She is dedicated to "pursuing goals" in her career."

What are some alternatives to "pursuing goals"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "striving for objectives", "working toward aims", or "endeavoring to achieve targets".

Is it better to say "pursuing goals" or "achieving goals"?

"Pursuing goals" emphasizes the process and effort involved in working towards something, while "achieving goals" focuses on the successful completion. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the journey or the outcome.

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

"Setting a goal" is about defining an objective. "Pursuing a goal" refers to the actions and efforts taken to reach that objective after it has been defined.