pursuing success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pursuing success" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's goals and ambitions, or when describing someone who is actively working to reach a desired outcome. For example, "Jane has dedicated her life to pursuing success in her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Cathy is an actress (not Jewish) pursuing success unsuccessfully.

The Guardian

In Henry Adams, the fatal flaw, discovered just in time, is pursuing success at all.

The New Yorker

I was clueless about how to go about getting a job and pursuing success.

The Washington Post

Everything, art above all, is theory developed and applied through contact with nature"; "I am pursuing success through work.

The Guardian - Arts

This leads many employees to think more defensively, to hold back, and resist pursuing success and playing to win.

Harvard Business Review

Whereas other companies in America have become convinced that being lean is the only way to survive, Hollywood is bent on pursuing success through profligacy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

In a traditional family, a wife and mother does not pursue success outside her own home.

The New Yorker

He is inspired to pursue success after watching an "American Idol -type realIdol -typen television.

The New Yorker

Philip E. Slater, a social critic and author, pursued success in the conventional way in the first half of his life.

The New York Times - Books

Rather than pursue success, they focus on increasing their organizations' intellectual capital: the experience, knowledge, and creativity of the workforce.

Harvard Business Review

Six friends meet in the 1970s at a summer arts camp, and pursue success, and one another, over succeeding decades.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the actions of individuals or organizations, consider using "pursuing success" to emphasize their active efforts and goals.

Common error

Avoid using "pursuing success" solely to highlight the end result. Instead, focus on the strategies, efforts, and processes involved in the journey toward success. This provides a more nuanced and informative perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursuing success" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun. It describes the act of striving for a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pursuing success" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the active effort toward achieving a desired outcome. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and versatility across diverse contexts. Its function as a gerund phrase allows it to act as a noun, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the process. While suitable for various registers, it's crucial to consider the specific context to convey the intended nuance, whether it's ambition, determination, or strategic planning. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively employ "pursuing success" to communicate the drive and effort involved in achieving goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking success

Replaces 'pursuing' with 'seeking', implying a slightly more passive approach to finding success.

striving for success

Emphasizes the effort and determination involved in achieving success.

working towards success

Highlights the active process of making progress toward success.

aiming for success

Focuses on the intention and goal-oriented nature of the effort.

chasing success

Suggests a more active and perhaps relentless pursuit of success.

endeavoring to succeed

Uses a more formal tone to describe the effort to achieve success.

in pursuit of success

Changes the grammatical structure while retaining the core meaning.

on the road to success

Shifts the focus to the journey and progress being made.

committed to success

Emphasizes the dedication and commitment involved.

focused on achieving success

Highlights the concentration and determination to attain success.

FAQs

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

You can use "pursuing success" to describe someone's active efforts towards achieving a goal, for example: "The company is actively "pursuing success" in the new market".

What are some alternatives to "pursuing success"?

Alternatives include "seeking success", "striving for success", or "aiming for success", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "pursuing success" or "to pursue success"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "pursuing success" (gerund form) often emphasizes the ongoing process, while "to pursue success" (infinitive form) focuses on the intention or goal. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "pursuing success" and "achieving success"?

"Pursuing success" describes the actions and efforts undertaken, while "achieving success" refers to the successful completion of those efforts and the attainment of the desired outcome. One focuses on the journey, the other on the destination.