pursuit
C1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
The act of chasing or striving to achieve or obtain something.
Can refer to an activity or interest that one regularly engages in, such as a hobby, career, or academic endeavor.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies continuous effort or a goal-oriented chase; used in both literal (e.g., physical chase) and figurative (e.g., pursuit of happiness) contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in pronunciation and spelling (e.g., British favour 'pursuit' in legal contexts slightly more), but usage and meaning are largely identical.
Connotations
Generally carries connotations of determination, effort, and focus in both variants.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in colloquial phrases, but comparable overall in formal and academic registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
pursuit of [goal/objective]engage in pursuitabandon pursuitVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hot pursuit”
- “in full pursuit”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contexts like 'pursuit of profit' or 'strategic pursuits' to denote goal-oriented efforts.
Academic
Common in phrases such as 'pursuit of knowledge' or 'scientific pursuit', indicating scholarly endeavors.
Everyday
Refers to hobbies or activities, e.g., 'outdoor pursuits' like hiking or cycling.
Technical
In law, 'criminal pursuit'; in sports, 'pursuit race' in cycling or skiing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dog is in pursuit of the cat.
- She likes outdoor pursuits such as camping.
- His pursuit of happiness made him change jobs.
- The police were in hot pursuit of the robber.
- The company's pursuit of innovation has led to new products.
- Academic pursuits require a lot of reading and research.
- The philosophical pursuit of truth often involves challenging debates.
- Her relentless pursuit of excellence earned her international recognition.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'pursue' + 'it' – when you pursue something, you are in pursuit of it.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY or GOALS ARE DESTINATIONS, where pursuit represents the path or effort towards achieving them.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- May confuse with 'преследование', which can imply persecution or legal chasing; in English, 'pursuit' is broader and often neutral.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'pursuit' as a verb (correct verb is 'pursue')
- Mispronouncing as /pɜːrˈsuːt/ in American English instead of /pɚˈsuːt/.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'pursuit'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Pursuit' is primarily a noun; the verb form is 'pursue'.
In American English, it is pronounced as /pɚˈsuːt/.
Yes, it is commonly used in phrases like 'in pursuit of' or for hobbies, e.g., 'leisure pursuits'.
Common collocations include 'in pursuit of', 'hot pursuit', and 'career pursuit'.
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