Pursue vs. Persue — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on July 14, 2024
"Pursue" is the correct spelling and means to follow or chase with determination. "Persue" is a common misspelling of the "Pursue."
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Pursue or Persue
How to spell Pursue?
Pursue
Correct Spelling
Persue
Incorrect Spelling
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Key Differences
"Pursue" is a verb stemming from Latin roots that means to follow, chase, or strive for. "Persue" is not a recognized word in the English language.
"Pursue" is often used in contexts such as "pursue a career" or "pursue a passion," indicating a determined effort to obtain or achieve something. "Persue" is a common misspelling of the word "pursue," sometimes confused due to the pronunciation.
The word "pursue" can also denote the act of trying to engage or maintain a relationship, as in "pursue a friendship" or "pursue a romantic interest." In legal terms, "pursue" can refer to the process of taking legal action or a lawsuit. In contrast, "persue" remains an incorrect term, and its usage can lead to misunderstanding.
Remember "pursue" has "sue" at the end, like pursuing a lawsuit.
Think of "pursue" as containing "pure" without an "i".
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"Pursue" has no "i"; avoid adding one between "u" and "e".
Visualize "pursue" as having two "u"s, one after "p" and one before "e".
The middle "su" in "pursue" can remind you of "suit," which you pursue to wear.
"Pursue" refers to the action of following or striving towards something. However, "persue" is a misspelled version and does not hold any meaning.
How Do You Spell Persue Correctly?
Incorrect: The company will persue new markets overseas.
Correct: The company will pursue new markets overseas.
Incorrect: He continues to persue his interest in photography.
Correct: He continues to pursue his interest in photography.
Incorrect: They are determined to persue happiness in all that they do.
Correct: They are determined to pursue happiness in all that they do.
Incorrect: I plan to persue a degree in biology.
Correct: I plan to pursue a degree in biology.
Incorrect: She decided to persue her dream of becoming an artist.
Correct: She decided to pursue her dream of becoming an artist.
Pursue Definitions
"Pursue" means to chase or follow something or someone, often in order to catch them.
The cat pursued the mouse across the room.
Follow or chase (someone or something).
A heavily indebted businessman was being pursued by creditors.
The officer pursued the van.
In a legal context, "pursue" refers to the act of instigating legal proceedings.
The victim decided to pursue a lawsuit against the offender.
"Pursue" means to continue with an activity or plan.
Despite initial failures, he chose to pursue his entrepreneurial venture.
Follow in or as if in pursuit.
The police car pursued the suspected attacker.
"Pursue" means to try to achieve or obtain something over a period of time.
She is pursuing a degree in computer science.
Carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in.
She pursued many activities.
"Pursue" signifies to try to develop a friendship, relationship, or discussion.
He decided to pursue a conversation with his long-lost friend.
To take action regarding (something), especially with the intention of sustained effort.
A detective who pursued each lead.
To carry further; advance.
Let's not pursue this argument.
To try to have a romantic relationship with.
To follow with enmity; to persecute; to call to account.
The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued me, they shall pursue you also.
Continue or proceed along (a path or route).
The road pursued a straight course over the scrubland.
To engage in (a vocation or hobby, for example); practice.
To follow as an example; to imitate.
To go on; to proceed, especially in argument or discourse; to continue.
I have, pursues Carneades, wondered chemists should not consider.
To follow a matter judicially, as a complaining party; to act as a prosecutor.
To follow in an effort to overtake or capture. To chase.
The fox was pursued by hounds.
To strive to gain or accomplish.
Pursue lofty political goals
To proceed along the course of; follow.
A ship pursued the southern course.
To seek; to use or adopt measures to obtain; as, to pursue a remedy at law.
The fame of ancient matrons you pursue.
To proceed along, with a view to some and or object; to follow; to go in.
To prosecute; to be engaged in; to continue.
To continue to torment or afflict; haunt.
It 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.
(ambitransitive) To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase.
Pursue one's dreams
(transitive) To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.).
Her rival pursued a quite different course.
(transitive) To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.).
(transitive) To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession).
(intransitive) To act as a legal prosecutor.
To follow with a view to overtake; to follow eagerly, or with haste; to chase; as, to pursue a hare.
We happiness pursue; we fly from pain.
The happiness of men lies in pursuing, not in possessing.
To go in pursuit; to follow.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth.
Men hotly pursued after the objects of their ambition.
Go in search of or hunt for.
Pursue a hobby.
Carry further or advance.
Pursue Meaning in a Sentence
They chose to pursue a path less traveled.
After college, he decided to pursue his passion for music.
To pursue excellence, you must be dedicated and hardworking.
The organization aims to pursue innovative solutions for environmental problems.
The detective will pursue leads to solve the case.
He encouraged his children to pursue their interests.
She will pursue a master's degree in education.
She wants to pursue a career in medicine.
Many students pursue internships to gain experience.
To pursue happiness, one must know what truly brings them joy.
Pursue your dreams with determination and perseverance.
She decided to pursue further studies abroad.
The team will pursue a strategy that focuses on sustainability.
Artists often pursue themes that reflect societal issues.
To pursue peace, we must understand and respect each other.
The athlete continues to pursue her goal of competing in the Olympics.
Entrepreneurs pursue business ideas that can change the world.
They pursue a lifestyle that minimizes their impact on the environment.
The government will pursue reforms to improve the economy.
Pursue activities that enrich your mind and body for a fulfilling life.
The researcher pursues answers to complex scientific questions.
They are eager to pursue new opportunities for growth.
It's important to pursue a healthy work-life balance.
She plans to pursue volunteer work in her community.
He will pursue a course in digital marketing to enhance his skills.
Pursue Idioms & Phrases
Pursue the matter further
To continue investigating or discussing an issue.
They decided to pursue the matter further despite the initial setbacks.
Pursue all avenues
To explore every possible option.
To solve this problem, we must pursue all avenues.
Pursue a course of action
To proceed with a particular strategy.
After much deliberation, they decided to pursue a course of action that prioritized safety.
Pursue higher education
To continue one's education beyond high school.
She's excited to pursue higher education and expand her knowledge.
Pursue a lead
To follow up on a piece of information.
The detective decided to pursue a lead that might crack the case wide open.
Pursue legal action
To take a dispute to court.
The company threatened to pursue legal action against the counterfeiters.
Pursue one's dreams
To actively work towards achieving one's dreams.
She moved to New York to pursue her dreams of acting on Broadway.
Pursue success
To work hard to achieve success.
He will pursue success in his new business venture with dedication.
Pursue a passion
To actively engage in something one is passionate about.
She encourages everyone to pursue a passion, as it brings joy and fulfillment.
Pursue an interest
To actively engage in an activity one finds interesting.
He decided to pursue an interest in photography as a way to express himself.
Pursue a goal
To work towards achieving a specific goal.
Athletes pursue their goal of winning a championship with intense training.
Pursue knowledge
To seek to learn and understand more.
Through reading and exploration, he continues to pursue knowledge.
Pursue clarity
To seek to understand or make something clear.
In this complex situation, it's important to pursue clarity before making a decision.
Pursue happiness
To seek out happiness actively.
Philosophers have long debated the best ways to pursue happiness.
Pursue a venture
To embark on a new business or project.
With enthusiasm, they decided to pursue a venture that combined technology and education.
Pursue opportunities
To seek and take advantage of opportunities.
Graduates are advised to pursue opportunities that align with their career goals.
Pursue a policy
To implement a particular policy.
The government will pursue a policy aimed at reducing unemployment.
Pursue peace
To actively work towards achieving peace.
Diplomats pursue peace through negotiations and treaties.
Pursue a strategy
To follow a specific plan to achieve a goal.
The campaign team decided to pursue a strategy focusing on grassroots mobilization.
Pursue excellence
To strive to be the best in one's endeavors.
In all her work, she aims to pursue excellence.
Common Curiosities
What does Persue mean?
"Persue" is actually a misspelling of the word "pursue."
How do you spell pursue in English?
The correct spelling is "pursue."
What is an example of pursue?
As an example: "He decided to pursue a career in medicine."
Is pursue a synonym?
"Pursue" can have synonyms depending on context. Some synonyms include "chase," "follow," "seek," and "strive."
What is the past of pursue?
The past tense of "pursue" is "pursued."
What is the plural form of pursue?
The verb "pursue" does not have a plural form. Its form remains the same for singular and plural subjects.
When can I use pursue?
"Pursue" can be used when indicating the action of following or striving towards a goal or object.
What is the noun of pursue?
The noun form of "pursue" is "pursuit."
What does pursue perseverance mean?
"Pursue perseverance" suggests the idea of consistently striving to be persistent and resilient.
What is the future tense of pursue?
The future tense of "pursue" is "will pursue."
What is the meaning of pursue a person?
"Pursue a person" typically means to follow or seek a relationship with that person or to follow them in order to capture or detain them.
Is Sue short for pursue?
No, "Sue" is not short for "pursue."
What is the opposite of pursue in English?
The opposite of "pursue" could be "ignore," "avoid," or "abandon."
What is the present tense of pursue?
The present tense of "pursue" is "pursue."
Is pursue a transitive verb?
Yes, "pursue" is a transitive verb, meaning it typically requires an object.
Can you use pursue in a sentence?
Certainly: "She decided to pursue her interest in art."
What is the meaning of pursue in Oxford dictionary?
In the Oxford Dictionary, "pursue" means to follow or seek with intent to capture, achieve, or obtain.
What does pursue a path mean?
"Pursue a path" means to follow a certain direction or course of action in one's life or career.
What does pursue a policy mean?
"Pursue a policy" refers to the act of implementing and following a certain plan or course of action in governance or management.
What is an example of pursue further?
An example of "pursue further" could be: "She decided to pursue her studies further by enrolling in a master's program."
What is the traditional meaning of pursue?
The traditional meaning of "pursue" is to follow or chase with the intent to capture.
What does pursue mean spiritual?
In a spiritual context, "pursue" can mean to seek spiritual growth or enlightenment.
How do you use pursue in a good sentence?
In a sentence: "She chose to pursue her ambition of becoming a novelist."
What type of speech is pursue?
"Pursue" is a verb.
Do you say pursue a degree?
Yes, it's common to say "pursue a degree" when one is working towards earning a specific degree in education.
What does pursue my interest mean?
"Pursue my interest" means to follow or engage in something that one is interested in or passionate about.
What is the difference between pursue and study?
While both "pursue" and "study" can relate to academic contexts, "pursue" has a broader meaning, denoting the act of following or striving for something, whereas "study" specifically refers to learning or examining a subject in detail.
What is a synonym for pursue a career?
A synonym for "pursue a career" could be "chase a profession."
What is the word family of pursue?
The word family of "pursue" includes "pursuit" (noun), "pursuable" (adjective), and "pursuer" (noun).
What is the past tense of to pursue someone?
The past tense of "pursue" is "pursued," so in the past tense, it is "pursued someone."
How do you use pursue in past tense?
In the past tense, you could say, "He pursued a career in engineering."
What does pursue mean in history?
In history, "pursue" can mean to engage in the systematic study of the past.
What is the meaning of pursue UK?
The meaning of "pursue" in UK English is the same as in US English - to follow or seek with intent to capture, achieve, or obtain.
What word means to pursue a goal?
"Strive" is a word that means to pursue a goal.
What does pursue mean in law?
In law, "pursue" usually means to engage in a legal action or lawsuit.
What is the synonym of pursue after?
A synonym for "pursue after" could be "chase after."
What are the three forms of pursue?
The three forms of "pursue" are "pursue" (present), "pursued" (past), and "pursued" (past participle).
What does pursue knowledge mean?
"Pursue knowledge" means to actively seek out learning and understanding.
What is the definition of pursue dream?
To "pursue a dream" means to actively work towards making a dream or ambition a reality.
What is the best antonym for pursue?
The best antonym for "pursue" might be "abandon."
What does pursue me mean?
"Pursue me" can mean that someone is following or seeking a relationship with the speaker.
What is pursue examples in English?
Here's an example: "I decided to pursue my passion for art."
What is a career pursue?
A "career pursue" is not a standard phrase in English. You can, however, say, "pursue a career," meaning to follow a particular career path or ambition.
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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.
