stop pursuing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stop pursuing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that someone should cease their efforts to chase or follow something or someone. Example: "After several attempts to reach an agreement, we decided to stop pursuing the negotiation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Journalists should never stop pursuing facts.

Columbia University

It's never easy to decide to stop pursuing a strategy.

Harvard Business Review

Her husband, Doug, refused to consider her pleas to stop pursuing costly therapies.

The New York Times

Memories of My Melancholy Whores It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams".

The Guardian - Books

But Nixon would not give in, and he ordered Mr. Cox to stop pursuing the tapes.

The New York Times

When something like this happens, it doesn't mean you have to stop pursuing your plans.

The New York Times

Everyone wants to be your mate when you stop pursuing fairweather pals.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are not suggesting that reps can — or should — stop pursuing established demand altogether.

Harvard Business Review

Tell the Justice Department to live up to its pledge: Stop pursuing James Risen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ressa did not stop pursuing Facebook executives after the initial 2016 meeting.

The Washington Post

This is a crummy day, but I'll never stop pursuing my passion.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to "stop pursuing" a goal, ensure you offer alternative strategies or goals to avoid discouragement. For instance, instead of just saying "stop pursuing that job," suggest exploring other career paths or skill development opportunities.

Common error

Avoid using "stop pursuing" without providing a specific reason or context. Simply telling someone to "stop pursuing" something without explanation can be perceived as dismissive or discouraging. Always provide rationale or suggest alternative paths.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop pursuing" functions primarily as a verb phrase, instructing or advising the cessation of an action. Ludwig examples show it being used to suggest ending efforts towards a goal or ceasing to chase after something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stop pursuing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that advises ceasing a particular action. According to Ludwig AI, it is deemed correct and broadly applicable. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in Academic and Wiki contexts. It suggests that efforts should be halted when they are unproductive or detrimental. Alternatives include "cease to pursue" or "give up on". When using this phrase, it's important to provide context and rationale. Overall, "stop pursuing" is a clear and effective way to suggest discontinuing a specific course of action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cease to pursue

Formal alternative, emphasizes a complete halt to the pursuit.

discontinue chasing

Focuses on stopping the act of chasing, suitable for more dynamic contexts.

abandon the pursuit of

Highlights the relinquishment of an objective or goal.

give up on

Informal alternative, implying a loss of hope or motivation.

quit chasing

Direct and informal, suitable for interpersonal or competitive situations.

relinquish the quest for

More formal and emphasizes the abandonment of a long-term goal.

halt the chase of

Implies a sudden stop to a dynamic pursuit, possibly due to an obstacle.

desist from seeking

A formal, almost legalistic way to say stop trying to find or obtain something.

refrain from hunting

Specifically suggests stopping the act of hunting or actively searching.

break off the pursuit

Emphasizes the abrupt end of the chase, possibly due to external factors.

FAQs

What does "stop pursuing" mean?

The phrase "stop pursuing" means to cease trying to achieve something or to cease chasing after someone or something. It implies ending the effort and actions taken to reach a particular goal or target.

When is it appropriate to use "stop pursuing"?

It's appropriate to use "stop pursuing" when efforts are proving fruitless, when the cost outweighs the benefits, or when the goal is no longer desirable or achievable. It's also relevant when advising someone to abandon a course of action that is causing harm or distress.

What are some alternatives to "stop pursuing"?

You can use alternatives like "cease to pursue", "give up on", or "abandon the pursuit of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "stop pursuing" or "quit pursuing"?

"Stop pursuing" and "quit pursuing" are largely interchangeable, but "stop pursuing" may sound slightly more formal and less abrupt than "quit pursuing". The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.