What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pursuit
Example
Reading is one of my favorite pursuits. [pursuit: noun]
Example
The police were in hot pursuit of the suspect. [pursuit: noun]
Example
She was in pursuit of a career in medicine. [pursuit: noun]
quest
Example
The knight embarked on a quest to find the Holy Grail. [quest: noun]
Example
She was on a quest to find her missing brother. [quest: noun]
Example
He went on a quest to find inner peace and enlightenment. [quest: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pursuit is more commonly used than quest in everyday language. Pursuit is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while quest is less common and has a more specific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pursuit and quest?
Both pursuit and quest can be used in formal and informal contexts, but quest may have a slightly more formal or literary tone due to its epic and adventurous connotation.