we chased him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we chased him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action where a group of people is pursuing a male individual. Example: "After the thief stole the bike, we chased him down the street, determined to catch him before he got away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

We chased him out".

The New York Times

"We chased him away already," he said.

The New York Times

We chased him down, threw a blanket on him and tackled him".

The New York Times

We guessed that the pilot was going to throw himself out of the plane so we chased him in our car until we captured him.

The Guardian

"We chased him all around the store, poor guy.

Los Angeles Times

/http://www.newfilmmakers.com/ we chased him around London, where he failed to show up more than once for an interview.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"We've chased him for a long, long time, but we have not matched what Bristol have offered.

BBC

We looked at him, we liked him and we were chasing him but didn't quite get him.

BBC

We will chase him and we will find him.

The Guardian

We burnt his church and chased him away," he said.

BBC

"We could chase him," Ando said, laughing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we chased him" to clearly and directly describe the act of pursuing someone, particularly in narrative or descriptive contexts. This phrasing is suitable when the act of chasing is the focal point of the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "we chased him" in highly formal or professional settings, as it can sound too informal. Opt for alternatives like "we pursued him" or "we followed him" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we chased him" functions as a simple declarative statement describing a past action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The subject "we" performs the action of chasing a male individual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we chased him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a group of people pursuing a male individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase conveys a sense of action and urgency. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "we pursued him" in professional or academic settings. Understanding its implications and appropriate contexts ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we pursued him

Replaces "chased" with the more formal "pursued".

we ran after him

Uses a more literal description of the action.

we followed him closely

Emphasizes proximity and intent.

we gave him chase

Uses a more idiomatic expression.

we were in pursuit of him

More formal and emphasizes the ongoing action.

we hunted him down

Suggests a more determined and aggressive pursuit.

we tracked him

Emphasizes the act of finding and following his trail.

we tailed him

Suggests a more discreet or secretive following.

we were hot on his heels

Idiomatic expression indicating close pursuit.

we kept after him

Indicates persistent pursuit.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we chased him" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "we pursued him", "we followed him closely", or "we were in pursuit of him". These options provide a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

What does "we chased him" imply about the situation?

The phrase "we chased him" implies that a group was actively pursuing an individual, usually due to a specific reason such as catching someone who fled, or following a suspect.

Which is more appropriate, "we chased him" or "we followed him"?

The best choice depends on the context. "We chased him" suggests a more active and possibly urgent pursuit, while "we followed him" ("we followed him") implies a more deliberate or less hurried action.

Can "we chased him" be used in a metaphorical sense?

While less common, "we chased him" can be used metaphorically to describe persistently pursuing someone for a meeting, an agreement, or some other non-physical goal. However, ensure the context makes the metaphorical meaning clear.