was pursued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was pursued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was chased or sought after in the past. Example: "The suspect was pursued by the police for several miles before finally being apprehended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The dog analogy was pursued.

The Guardian

"I was pursued in every possible way".

The New York Times

A more independent foreign policy was pursued.

The Guardian - Sport

This strategy was pursued by Plato and Gödel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The lead was pursued, and the older sister was found.

The New York Times

Farming was pursued on a widely ranging scale.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their attachment was deep and was pursued throughout the country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A modernization program was pursued in the late 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On Friday, Dzokhar was pursued through a city on lockdown.

The New Yorker

The other, which was pursued by the helicopter, did not.

The New York Times

The idea was pursued by Carney in his Lloyds speech.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was pursued", ensure that the subject clearly indicates who or what was doing the pursuing and what was being pursued. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was pursued" in situations where the active voice would be more direct and impactful. Overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "was pursued" is to form a passive verb phrase. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes an action where the subject receives the action, indicating that someone or something was the target of pursuit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was pursued" is a versatile passive verb phrase used to describe the act of chasing, seeking, or investigating something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "was chased" or "was sought after" exist, "was pursued" offers a nuanced way to express the idea of being actively followed or investigated. It's important to consider the context and desired emphasis when choosing between active and passive voice to ensure clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was chased

This alternative is a more direct and literal synonym, focusing on the act of chasing someone or something.

was sought after

This alternative emphasizes the desirability or value of the thing being pursued.

was followed

This alternative is a more general term, indicating a sequence or progression rather than an active pursuit.

was investigated

This alternative suggests a more formal or official inquiry.

was examined

This alternative implies a detailed inspection or analysis.

was targeted

This alternative emphasizes the intentionality and direction of the pursuit.

was subjected to

This alternative suggests that something or someone experienced a process or action.

was prosecuted

This alternative specifically refers to legal action being taken.

was undertaken

This alternative implies a formal initiative or project being started.

was enacted

This alternative suggests that a plan or law was put into action.

FAQs

How can I use "was pursued" in a sentence?

You can use "was pursued" to indicate that someone or something was chased or sought after. For example, "The suspect was pursued by the police" or "The research was pursued by several scientists".

What are some alternatives to "was pursued"?

Alternatives include "was chased", "was sought after", or "was followed", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "pursue"?

While "was pursued" (passive) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The police pursued the suspect") can often make your writing more direct and engaging. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and context.

What's the difference between "was pursued" and "was investigated"?

"Was pursued" implies a chase or active seeking, while "was investigated" suggests a formal inquiry or examination. The appropriate choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the act of chasing or the act of examining.