What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pursue
Example
She decided to pursue a career in medicine. [pursue: verb]
Example
The police pursued the suspect through the city streets. [pursued: past tense]
Example
He pursued his passion for photography by taking classes and practicing every day. [pursued: gerund or present participle]
follow
Example
I will follow you to the store. [follow: verb]
Example
We must follow the safety guidelines to prevent accidents. [follow: verb]
Example
She likes to follow the latest fashion trends. [follow: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Follow is more commonly used than pursue in everyday language. Follow is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pursue is less common and typically used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pursue and follow?
While pursue is typically associated with a more formal or professional tone, follow is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
