pursuit of

USAGE SUMMARY

"pursuit of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the action of striving for something, usually in a determined way. For example: "The teacher admired her student's relentless pursuit of excellence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pursuit of an education.

The New York Times

"Grand Pursuit," of course.

The New York Times - Books

It's the pursuit of justice.

The New York Times - Arts

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".

The New Yorker

The pursuit of water is ancient.

The New York Times

Scholem was in pursuit of the opposite.

The New Yorker

One was the pursuit of pure science.

The Economist

Teva is in pursuit of Mylan.

The Economist

"Everyone goes out in pursuit of life.

The New Yorker

She dances off in pursuit of him.

The New York Times - Arts

The pursuit of Ntcham reflects that concern.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pursuit of" to convey a sense of active and determined striving. For example, "the relentless pursuit of knowledge" suggests a continuous and focused effort.

Common error

Avoid using "pursuit of" when describing something that is passively received. "The pursuit of happiness was given to him" is incorrect; happiness is not actively pursued in this context. Instead, use it to indicate intentional action: "He dedicated his life to the pursuit of happiness."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pursuit of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun. It often indicates the aim, goal, or objective that someone is trying to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pursuit of" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the act of actively striving for something. According to Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, as evident from the numerous examples provided. Its formality is neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using "pursuit of", ensure it reflects intentional action and is followed by a noun or gerund representing the desired goal. Remember to consider alternatives like "quest for" or "search for" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quest for

This alternative emphasizes a journey or expedition undertaken to find something.

search for

This phrase implies a more direct and focused effort to locate something.

striving for

This alternative highlights the effort and determination involved in reaching a goal.

drive for

This option implies a strong motivation or ambition to achieve something.

campaign for

This alternative is more common when referring to promote a specific social change.

endeavor to

This alternative suggests a serious and determined attempt.

bid for

This suggests an attempt to obtain something, often in a competitive context.

push for

This phrase suggests actively advocating or promoting something.

hunt for

This option implies a more vigorous or eager searching.

yearning for

This suggests a strong desire or longing for something.

FAQs

How to use "pursuit of" in a sentence?

The phrase "pursuit of" is typically followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing) that represents the goal or objective being sought. For example, "the pursuit of justice" or "the pursuit of learning".

What can I say instead of "pursuit of"?

You can use alternatives like "quest for", "search for", or "striving for" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

"Pursuit of happiness" is the correct and idiomatic phrase. The preposition "of" is used to connect the action of pursuing with the object of that pursuit. Using "for" would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "pursuit of" and "search for"?

While both phrases imply seeking something, "pursuit of" suggests a more deliberate and sustained effort, often with a broader or more abstract goal. "Search for" /s/search+for tends to imply a more specific and immediate objective.