strenuous pursuit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strenuous pursuit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or demanding effort to achieve a goal or objective. Example: "The team engaged in a strenuous pursuit of excellence, pushing their limits to achieve the highest standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Liberated from the strenuous pursuit of water, people began keeping goats and chickens while also scratching away at the sandy soil to grow gardens.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Abbott, notoriously, is interested in more strenuous pursuits.

The Guardian - Opinion

High-intensity competitive activity was in fact no better than much less strenuous pursuits at increasing lifespans.

The New York Times

They are seen standing as if in caught in a moment or thought or reflection rather than engaged in strenuous pursuits.

The New York Times

The spot, which appeared during the NBC coverage of the Winter Olympics, featured familiar faces like the skier Picabo Street and the skater Apolo Anton Ohno interspersed with everyday athletes; all were engaged in strenuous pursuits.

The New York Times

Many of the restaurants also have rooms, either basic B&Bs or old-fashioned pensione accommodation, so it is easy to plan a long weekend that takes in not just a couple of the restaurants, but also hiking or mountain biking through thick pine forests, or less strenuous pursuits, such as trout fishing and mushroom picking.

The Guardian - Travel

Those who favor less strenuous pursuits can go fly-fishing in the Frying Pan, a spectacular 70-foot-wide river set in pine forest and aspen trees and noted for its high density of rainbow and brown trout (guides are available at the Taylor Creek Fly Shop 970-927-43744).

The New York Times - Travel

The man notorious for his dismissive criticism, strenuous in the pursuit of error, is often unproductive, as if he had scared himself out of his own wits – unless indeed his critical cast of mind was the consequence rather than the cause of his infertility' (Medawar 1969, 58).

Evolutionary Applications

— to seek it; what seems complex is the idea that what we're entitled to is, indeed, a pursuit, something strenuous and not necessarily successful.

The New Yorker

Elevator or no elevator, Duveen's pursuit of Mellon involved strenuous espionage, even after he became a client.

The New Yorker

The pursuit of decadence figures not so much as wild, spontaneous frenzy but a strenuous, rather suburban exercise in imitation and pastiche.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing efforts that require significant physical or mental exertion, use "strenuous pursuit" to convey the intensity and demanding nature of the undertaking.

Common error

While "strenuous pursuit" is appropriate for formal writing and describing significant endeavors, avoid using it in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler terms like "hard work" or "big effort" would be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strenuous pursuit" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'strenuous' modifies 'pursuit'. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes an effort or activity that requires considerable energy and exertion. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe both physical and intellectual endeavors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strenuous pursuit" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as affirmed by Ludwig. It denotes a demanding and challenging effort or activity. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase carries a neutral to formal tone. While its usage isn't overly common, it effectively conveys the intensity and energy required in the described endeavor. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "arduous endeavor" or "challenging quest" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strenuous endeavor

Uses the word endeavor instead of pursuit while retaining the adjective strenuous for a minor change of style.

arduous endeavor

Replaces 'pursuit' with 'endeavor', emphasizing the effort and determination involved.

challenging quest

Substitutes 'strenuous' with 'challenging' and 'pursuit' with 'quest', highlighting the difficulty and adventurous nature of the undertaking.

demanding chase

Uses 'demanding' instead of 'strenuous' and 'chase' in place of 'pursuit', focusing on the rigorous and relentless aspect of the effort.

vigorous effort

Replaces 'strenuous pursuit' with a phrase that emphasizes the energetic and forceful nature of the undertaking.

intense campaign

Substitutes 'strenuous' with 'intense' and 'pursuit' with 'campaign', suggesting a focused and highly concentrated effort.

taxing undertaking

Uses 'taxing' instead of 'strenuous' and 'undertaking' in place of 'pursuit', emphasizing the draining and burdensome nature of the activity.

laborious search

Replaces 'strenuous' with 'laborious' and 'pursuit' with 'search', highlighting the extensive and tiring nature of the effort.

difficult striving

Substitutes 'strenuous' with 'difficult' and 'pursuit' with 'striving', focusing on the challenging and aspirational aspect of the effort.

energetic exploration

Uses 'energetic' instead of 'strenuous' and 'exploration' in place of 'pursuit', suggesting a lively and investigative approach.

FAQs

How can I use "strenuous pursuit" in a sentence?

"Strenuous pursuit" is used to describe an effort that requires significant energy and determination. For example: "The athlete's strenuous pursuit of a gold medal demanded years of training."

What are some synonyms for "strenuous pursuit"?

Alternatives include "arduous endeavor", "challenging quest", or "demanding chase". Choose the option that best fits the specific context.

Is "strenuous pursuit" formal or informal?

"Strenuous pursuit" leans towards the formal side. In more casual contexts, consider using phrases like "hard work" or "intense effort".

What's the difference between "strenuous pursuit" and "intense focus"?

"Strenuous pursuit" emphasizes the effort and energy expended, while "intense focus" highlights the concentration and mental dedication involved. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the physical or mental aspect of the endeavor.