pursuit

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pursuit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of chasing or striving for something, usually a goal or an ideal. For example: She has dedicated her life to the pursuit of inner peace.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Let me assure you that my government is committed to working closely with you and your government during your tenure and most importantly, in pursuit of our bilateral relations.

The Guardian

I once joined a shopping trip in pursuit of some of this stuff.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the constant pursuit of the economic and military advantage and superiority which scientific invention and technology confer is an essential component of a world-view that changes the realities on the ground.

The Guardian

Boardman, the 1992 Olympic pursuit champion, set a distance of 56.375km in 1996, which is no longer on the official record books.

The Guardian - Sport

"She was devoted to her family, her community and the pursuit of social justice.

The Guardian

While her and her father's book addresses the individual necessity and pursuit of forgiveness, Mpho says it is also a fundamental part of the future of South Africa, the country she still lives in, and said there are still palpable resentments that need to be addressed.

The Guardian

That President Obama is sympathetic is evident from his recent reiteration to the UN general assembly of his commitment to the two-state principle; a reminder of what he said in his speech in Cairo in 2009 during his first term: "....it is undeniable that the Palestinian people – Muslim and Christian – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland.

The Guardian

As to what the Tories want to renegotiate, on what timeframe and in pursuit of any objective, search me".

The Guardian

Today's Irish government has remained true to that pursuit of justice.

The Guardian

The Snowden files make it clear that GCHQ and the NSA have turned Turing's niche pursuit into intelligence-gathering on an industrial scale.

The Guardian

An environmental devastation has been produced by the ceaseless pursuit of profit from data-mining in every legal way imaginable.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pursuit", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it refers to striving for a goal, chasing someone or something, or engaging in a hobby. For example, distinguish between "the pursuit of happiness" and "a high-speed pursuit".

Common error

Avoid using "pursuit" interchangeably with words like "cause" or "obsession". "Pursuit" implies a deliberate and often active effort, while "cause" refers to a belief or principle, and "obsession" suggests an unhealthy fixation.

Linguistic Context

The noun "pursuit" primarily functions as a descriptor for an action or endeavor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to depict the act of chasing, striving, or engaging in an activity. Examples from news sources on Ludwig show it applied to various contexts, from "the pursuit of justice" to a physical chase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pursuit" is a versatile noun used to describe the act of chasing, striving, or engaging in an activity. As Ludwig AI points out, it commonly refers to both concrete actions like chases and abstract concepts like striving for a goal. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for diverse writing scenarios. Remember to differentiate "pursuit" from similar nouns like "cause" and "obsession", and use "pursuit of" rather than "pursuit for". Alternative phrases such as "quest" or "striving" can provide variety in your writing. With its widespread usage, understanding the nuances of "pursuit" enhances clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quest

Focuses more on a long and arduous search for something.

chase

Implies a more active and often physical following of someone or something.

search

Emphasizes the act of looking for something, often in a methodical way.

striving

Highlights the effort and ambition involved in reaching a goal.

endeavor

Suggests a serious and determined attempt to achieve something.

drive

Emphasizes the internal motivation and energy behind pursuing a goal.

aim

Refers to the specific goal or objective that one is trying to achieve.

aspiration

Focuses on a hope or ambition of achieving something.

prosecution

Specifically refers to the legal process of pursuing a case against someone.

following

Emphasizes the act of tracking or adhering to something, like a trend or a leader.

FAQs

How to use "pursuit" in a sentence?

The word "pursuit" can be used to describe the act of chasing something, like "a high-speed police "chase"", or striving towards a goal, such as "the "quest for" knowledge".

What can I say instead of "pursuit"?

You can use alternatives like "quest", ""chase"", or "striving" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "pursuit of" or "pursuit for"?

"Pursuit of" is the correct and commonly used form. For example, "the pursuit of happiness" is grammatically correct, while "pursuit for happiness" is not.

What's the difference between "pursuit" and "prosecution"?

"Pursuit" generally refers to the act of chasing a goal or object, while "prosecution" specifically refers to the legal process of bringing charges against someone.