What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
chase
Example
The children were chasing each other around the playground. [chasing: verb]
Example
He is chasing his dream of becoming a professional musician. [chasing: present participle]
pursue
Example
The police pursued the suspect through the city streets. [pursued: past tense]
Example
She decided to pursue a career in medicine. [pursue: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chase is more commonly used in everyday language, especially in informal or colloquial contexts. On the other hand, pursue is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between chase and pursue?
While chase is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, pursue is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
