while pursuing

USAGE SUMMARY

"while pursuing" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone engaging in an activity or course of action with the intention of achieving a specific goal. For example, "She was determined to find a new job and worked hard while pursuing leads."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sachs remained a cobbler while pursuing the arts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And each woman raised children while pursuing her career.

The New York Times

Mani's father died in Beirut while pursuing an extramarital affair.

The New Yorker

Nurture new friendships while pursuing new professional development options.

University of California, Berkeley

Still, while pursuing the distant dream, Somalilanders have got on with state-building.

The Economist

The British customs vessel Gaspee ran aground off Namquit (now Gaspee) Point while pursuing a smuggler.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The justices said Mr. Kline committed "significant and numerous" violations while pursuing prosecutions.

The New York Times

Of course, Iran's government might try to draw out talks while pursuing their nuclear program.

The New York Times

She touched many lives while pursuing her multiple passions including gardening, bridge, and home design.

The New York Times

Servetus remained outwardly a conforming Catholic while pursuing his private theological studies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While pursuing his graduate education he held various administrative and teaching posts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while pursuing", ensure the sentence structure clearly shows the relationship between the ongoing action and the goal being pursued for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "while pursuing" close to the subject performing the action. Misplacement can create confusion about who is actually pursuing the goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while pursuing" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a circumstance or condition under which another action is taking place. It modifies the main verb, indicating concurrency, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while pursuing" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction used to indicate concurrent actions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It is very common in various contexts, notably news media, encyclopedias, and academic writing, and carries a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using "while pursuing", ensure clear sentence structure to avoid ambiguity and effectively convey the temporal relationship between actions. Consider related phrases such as "whilst engaging in" or "during the pursuit of" for alternative phrasing. Avoiding misplaced modifiers will improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the pursuit of

Adds emphasis on the period of actively chasing a goal, slightly changing the original phrase's conciseness.

whilst engaging in

Formal alternative using "whilst" instead of "while" and "engaging in" which shifts the focus slightly to the activity itself.

in the course of chasing

Conveys a sense of action and movement towards a specific objective during the activity.

simultaneously working towards

Highlights the multitasking nature and active contribution to the goals.

as you undertake

This suggests a formal and deliberate commencement of an activity, indicating a higher degree of intentionality.

as one strives for

Focuses on the effort and determination involved in the simultaneous pursuit, lending a more motivational tone.

at the same time as targeting

Places a stronger emphasis on aiming for a goal or result in concurrence with something else.

concomitantly seeking

Uses a more formal and academic tone, emphasizing the simultaneous nature of the actions.

alongside endeavoring to achieve

Formal and emphasizes effort with “endeavoring” while clarifying the goal with “achieve”.

in tandem with aspiring to

Highlights the parallel nature of pursuing two objectives at once, adding a touch of ambition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "while pursuing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "whilst engaging in" or "during the pursuit of".

Is there a difference between "while pursuing" and "in pursuit of"?

"While pursuing" indicates a simultaneous action, whereas "in pursuit of" typically describes the primary aim or goal. For example, "He worked while pursuing a degree" versus "He was in pursuit of a degree".

What words commonly follow "while pursuing"?

Typically, "while pursuing" is followed by nouns or gerunds that represent goals or objectives, such as "a degree", "a career", or "opportunities".

Can "while pursuing" be used in academic writing?

Yes, "while pursuing" is suitable for academic writing as it clearly and concisely conveys the idea of simultaneous actions. However, ensure your sentence structure is clear and avoids ambiguity.