Cool MateChasing vs Following vs Hunting
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Chasing
Top 2,000 (common)
Following
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Hunting
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
| Chasing | Following | Hunting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɑːləʊɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhʌntɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhʌntɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Running after someone or something. | To come after something or someone. | The activity of looking for and catching animals. |
| Example | The dog is chasing its tail. | Answer the following questions. | Hunting for food has been a vital practice for many cultures throughout history. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | noun | |
| Collocations | chasing a dream, chasing someone, chasing after, chasing a goal | following instructions, following someone, following a trend | big-game, deer, fox, go, ban, knife, rifle, ground, hunting of, happy hunting ground, big-game, deer, fox, go, ban, knife, rifle, ground, hunting of, happy hunting ground |
| Antonyms | ignoring, avoiding, fleeing | preceding, leading | farming, cultivation |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'chase' as a noun instead of a verb., 'Chasing' is often inaccurately used with 'for' instead of 'after'., Incorrectly using 'chasing' in the past without context. | Confused with 'preceeding' - using 'following' incorrectly to describe something that comes before., Using 'follow' instead of 'following' in adjective form. | Confused with 'fishing' — hunting refers to land animals, fishing refers to water., Using 'hunt' instead of 'hunting' in continuous tense — e.g., 'I am hunting' not 'I am hunt'., 'Hunting' used as a noun only, forgetting it can also suggest an activity. |
| Usage notes | Usually implies a sense of urgency or pursuit. Avoid in formal writing. Use in both spoken and written contexts. | Use 'following' to indicate something that comes next in time or order. It's appropriate in various contexts, including writing and conversation, but avoid using it in overly casual settings when referring to people. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. It can refer to sports, subsistence, or wildlife management. Avoid in urban settings or when discussing animal rights negatively. |
Frequently asked questions: Chasing vs Following vs Hunting
What's the difference between Chasing, Following, and Hunting?
Chasing: Running after someone or something. Following: To come after something or someone. Hunting: The activity of looking for and catching animals.
Which is more advanced: Chasing, Following, and Hunting?
Hunting is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Chasing: The dog is chasing its tail. Following: Answer the following questions. Hunting: Hunting for food has been a vital practice for many cultures throughout history.
Can I use Chasing, Following, and Hunting interchangeably?
Not always. Chasing, Following, and Hunting are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.