Cool MatePursue vs Seek
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pursue
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Seek
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
| Pursue | Seek | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //pəˈsjuː//🇺🇸 //pərˈsuː// | 🇬🇧 /["/siːk/","/siːks/","/sɔːt/","/ˈsiːkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/siːk/","/siːks/","/sɔːt/","/ˈsiːkɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To chase or try to achieve something. | To look for something or try to find it. |
| Example | He decided to pursue a career in medicine. | I need to seek help from a professional for my anxiety. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | pursue a goal, pursue a career, pursue an opportunity | aggressively, avidly, eagerly, continue to, for, in, highly sought after |
| Antonyms | abandon, give up, discontinue | ignore, neglect, overlook |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'follow' – 'pursue' implies a more active effort., Using 'pursue' with inanimate objects, instead of actions or goals. | Confused with 'look for' — 'seek' is more formal., Using 'seek' without an object — it usually needs something to seek., Mixing 'seek' with 'find' — they have different meanings. |
| Usage notes | Use 'pursue' in neutral or formal contexts, such as academic or professional goals. Avoid in casual conversation. | Use 'seek' in formal or neutral contexts. It is not common in everyday conversations. Instead, you might say 'look for'. Avoid using it in very casual situations. |
Frequently asked questions: Pursue vs Seek
What's the difference between Pursue and Seek?
Pursue: To chase or try to achieve something. Seek: To look for something or try to find it.
Are Pursue and Seek the same CEFR level?
Pursue: B2, Seek: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Pursue and Seek?
Pursue: verb, Seek: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Pursue: He decided to pursue a career in medicine. Seek: I need to seek help from a professional for my anxiety.
Can I use Pursue and Seek interchangeably?
Not always. Pursue and Seek 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.