Persuing vs. Pursuing — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 20, 2024
"Persuing" is a common misspelling; the correct spelling is "pursuing", meaning actively following or chasing after something or someone.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Persuing or Pursuing
How to spell Pursuing?
Persuing
Incorrect Spelling
Pursuing
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Connect it to "pursuit", where again there is no extra "e".
Think of "pursue" and add "ing". There’s no extra "e" in "pursue".
Recall that it's "pur-sue", not "per-sue".
Remember it like "purse", which you might chase if forgotten.
Visualize a cat "pursuing" a mouse; no extra "e" in the chase.
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How Do You Spell Pursuing Correctly?
Incorrect: She was persuing a degree in biology.
Correct: She was pursuing a degree in biology.
Incorrect: They thought about persuing a new business venture.
Correct: They thought about pursuing a new business venture.
Incorrect: I am persuing a career in music.
Correct: I am pursuing a career in music.
Incorrect: We were persuing happiness in our own ways.
Correct: We were pursuing happiness in our own ways.
Incorrect: He kept persuing his interest in painting despite the challenges.
Correct: He kept pursuing his interest in painting despite the challenges.
Pursuing Definitions
It can mean to engage in or practice a particular activity, especially a hobby.
He spends weekends pursuing his passion for fishing.
"Pursuing" can mean to continue with or carry on a particular action.
The detective is pursuing his investigation into the crime.
"Pursuing" means actively following or chasing after an objective or goal.
He's pursuing a degree in physics.
"Pursuing" also implies trying to achieve or obtain something over time.
She is pursuing a career in music.
The word also signifies embarking on a course of action, especially legally.
The company is pursuing legal actions against the infringers.
To follow in an effort to overtake or capture; chase
A fox that was pursued by hounds.
To strive to gain or accomplish
Pursue lofty political goals.
To proceed along the course of; follow
A ship that pursued the southern course.
To carry further; advance
Let's not pursue this argument.
To take action regarding (something), especially with the intention of sustained effort
A detective who pursued each lead.
To engage in (a vocation or hobby, for example); practice.
To try to have a romantic relationship with
A lady who was pursued by many suitors.
To continue to torment or afflict; haunt
Was pursued by the demons of lust and greed.
To follow in an effort to overtake or capture; chase.
To take action regarding something or carry on an established activity or project.
Present participle of pursue
Pursuit
Following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit;
The fox fled from the pursuing hounds
Listened for the hounds' pursuing bark
Pursuing Meaning in a Sentence
He is pursuing a degree in computer science.
She is pursuing her dreams of becoming an actress.
The organization is pursuing efforts to aid those in need.
The company is pursuing new strategies to increase its market share.
She spends her free time pursuing hobbies like painting and photography.
He is pursuing a career in law to make a difference.
The detective is pursuing leads on the case.
The athlete is pursuing a spot on the Olympic team.
The scientist is pursuing research in renewable energy.
The artist is pursuing a unique style that sets her work apart.
They are pursuing a healthier lifestyle by exercising regularly.
The entrepreneur is pursuing innovative ideas for his startup.
Parents are pursuing the best educational opportunities for their children.
The traveler is pursuing adventures in remote parts of the world.
The teacher is pursuing further education to improve her teaching methods.
The student is pursuing excellence in all of her subjects.
The writer is pursuing a series of novels set in a fantasy world.
Students are pursuing knowledge in various fields of study.
She is pursuing opportunities to study abroad.
The activist is pursuing changes in legislation to protect the environment.
The filmmaker is pursuing the creation of a documentary about climate change.
The athlete is pursuing a rigorous training regimen to improve performance.
They are pursuing a life filled with purpose and passion.
The musician is pursuing a sound that blends different genres.
The engineer is pursuing solutions to complex technical problems.
Pursuing Idioms & Phrases
Pursuing a lead
Following a piece of information to discover more.
The detective is pursuing a lead that might solve the case.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Pursuing?
The verb form is "pursue."
What is the root word of Pursuing?
The root word is "pursue."
Which vowel is used before Pursuing?
The vowel "u" is used before "pursuing."
What is the singular form of Pursuing?
"Pursuing" is already in its singular form as a verb.
What is the pronunciation of Pursuing?
It is pronounced as /pərˈsuː.ɪŋ/.
What is the plural form of Pursuing?
Verbs do not have plural forms, but different tenses.
Why is it called Pursuing?
It's called "pursuing" because it's derived from the verb "pursue," meaning to follow or chase after.
Is Pursuing an abstract noun?
No, "pursuing" is not an abstract noun.
Which conjunction is used with Pursuing?
Any conjunction can be used with "pursuing" as per the sentence's requirement, e.g., "and," "but," "or."
Is Pursuing an adverb?
No, "pursuing" is not an adverb.
Is the Pursuing term a metaphor?
Not by itself, but it can be used metaphorically in some contexts.
Is Pursuing a noun or adjective?
"Pursuing" is a verb.
Is Pursuing a collective noun?
No, "pursuing" is not a collective noun.
What is the opposite of Pursuing?
The opposite can be "avoiding" or "evading."
What is the first form of Pursuing?
The first form is "pursue."
Which preposition is used with Pursuing?
Prepositions such as "in," "of," and "for" can be used with "pursuing" depending on the context.
How do we divide Pursuing into syllables?
It can be divided as pur-su-ing.
What is a stressed syllable in Pursuing?
The second syllable "su" is stressed.
Is Pursuing a vowel or consonant?
"Pursuing" is a word, not a single letter.
What part of speech is Pursuing?
"Pursuing" is a verb.
Which determiner is used with Pursuing?
Determiners like "this," "that," "his," or "her" can be used depending on the context.
What is the third form of Pursuing?
The third form is "pursued."
Is Pursuing a negative or positive word?
"Pursuing" is neutral; its positivity or negativity depends on the context.
Is Pursuing a countable noun?
"Pursuing" is not a noun; it's a verb.
Is the word Pursuing is Gerund?
Yes, "pursuing" can function as a gerund in some sentences.
Is the word “Pursuing” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Pursuing" is a verb and not an object. However, it can have both direct and indirect objects in sentences.
How many syllables are in Pursuing?
There are three syllables in "pursuing."
What is the second form of Pursuing?
The second form is "pursued."
Which article is used with Pursuing?
Both "a" and "the" can be used before "pursuing" depending on the context.
Is the word Pursuing is imperative?
No, it's in the continuous form.
What is another term for Pursuing?
Another term can be "chasing" or "following."
How is Pursuing used in a sentence?
"She is pursuing a degree in law."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.