to pursue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to pursue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of seeking or striving to achieve a goal, objective, or interest. Example: "She decided to pursue a career in medicine after volunteering at the local hospital."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have to pursue it".

The New York Times

I'll continue to pursue that".

The Guardian

"We need to pursue both avenues".

The New York Times

The D.E.A. continues to pursue similar cases.

The New Yorker

Rusbridger told Davies to pursue the story.

The New Yorker

Mr. Kuby promised to pursue appeals.

The New York Times

I am going to pursue this.

The Economist

There are many avenues to pursue.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, researchers continue to pursue immunotherapeutic approaches.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We need to pursue all avenues vigorously.

The New York Times

I'm certainly going to pursue that".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to pursue" when you want to express the act of striving towards a specific goal, objective, or ambition. For example, "She decided to to pursue a career in medicine."

Common error

Avoid using "to pursue" when the subject is not actively initiating the action. For example, instead of saying "The opportunity was pursued by the company", consider "The company pursued the opportunity".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to pursue" is as an infinitive verb phrase. It typically functions as part of a larger verb phrase, expressing the intention or action of seeking a goal or objective. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, confirming its role in expressing active pursuit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to pursue" is a versatile and grammatically sound infinitive verb phrase widely used across diverse contexts to express the active pursuit of a goal or objective. As confirmed by Ludwig, its frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times, BBC, and The Economist underscore its common usage and acceptance. When using this phrase, it's important to maintain an active voice and avoid passive constructions. Alternatives such as "to seek", "to strive for", and "to aim for" can be employed depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to strive for

Implies a dedicated and effortful attempt to reach a specific goal.

to aim for

Suggests targeting a specific objective with intent.

to work towards

Highlights the ongoing effort and steps taken to achieve a long-term goal.

to go after

A more informal way of expressing the act of trying to obtain something.

to dedicate oneself to

Implies a strong commitment and focus on achieving something.

to devote oneself to

Similar to 'dedicate oneself to', but emphasizes a deeper level of commitment.

to seek

Implies a more general search or quest for something, not necessarily a defined goal.

to chase after

Emphasizes the act of following or pursuing something or someone.

to follow through with

Focuses on completing a plan or intention.

to make an effort to

Highlights the attempt made, irrespective of the outcome.

FAQs

How to use "to pursue" in a sentence?

"To pursue" is used to describe the act of striving towards a goal or objective. For example, "He decided to pursue further education" or "The detective continued to pursue the suspect".

What can I say instead of "to pursue"?

You can use alternatives like "to seek", "to strive for", or "to aim for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "pursuing to" instead of "to pursue"?

No, "pursuing to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "to pursue", which is the infinitive form of the verb.

What's the difference between "to pursue" and "to follow"?

"To pursue" implies actively chasing or striving for something, whereas "to follow" simply means to go after or come after something or someone. "To pursue" has a stronger sense of intent and effort.