What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prosecute
Example
The district attorney decided to prosecute the suspect for theft. [prosecute: verb]
Example
The prosecution presented their case in court. [prosecution: noun]
pursue
Example
The police pursued the suspect on foot. [pursue: verb]
Example
She decided to pursue a career in medicine. [pursue: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pursue is more commonly used than prosecute in everyday language. Pursue is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prosecute is less common and typically used only in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prosecute and pursue?
Prosecute is more formal and specific than pursue, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
