Pursue vs We'll track them down

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Pursue

Top 2,000 (common)B2verb

We'll track them down

Top 2,000 (common)
 PursueWe'll track them down
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //pəˈsjuː//🇺🇸 //pərˈsuː//🇬🇧 //wiːl træk ðəm daʊn//🇺🇸 //wiːl træk ðɛm daʊn//
MeaningTo chase or try to achieve something.We will find them.
ExampleHe decided to pursue a career in medicine.We'll track them down if they try to escape.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechverb
Collocationspursue a goal, pursue a career, pursue an opportunitytrack down a suspect, track down information, track down a lead
Antonymsabandon, give up, discontinue-
Common mistakesConfused with 'follow' – 'pursue' implies a more active effort., Using 'pursue' with inanimate objects, instead of actions or goals.Confusing 'track down' with 'track up', Using 'track' without 'down' in this context, Misunderstanding the intention as aggressive instead of determined
Usage notesUse 'pursue' in neutral or formal contexts, such as academic or professional goals. Avoid in casual conversation.Use this phrase in informal or conversational contexts. It can imply persistence or determination in finding someone or something.

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We'll track them down

Frequently asked questions: Pursue vs We'll track them down

What's the difference between Pursue and We'll track them down?

Pursue: To chase or try to achieve something. We'll track them down: We will find them.

Can you show an example of each?

Pursue: He decided to pursue a career in medicine. We'll track them down: We'll track them down if they try to escape.

Can I use Pursue and We'll track them down interchangeably?

Not always. Pursue and We'll track them down 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.

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