Cool MatePursuit vs Quest
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pursuit
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Quest
Beyond 10,000 (less common)C1noun
Most common: Pursuit
| Pursuit | Quest | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈsjuːt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈsuːt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kwest/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kwest/"]/ |
| Meaning | The act of trying to catch or reach something. | A journey or search to find something important. |
| Example | The police were in pursuit of the stolen vehicle for several miles. | the quest for happiness/knowledge/truth |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | aggressive, dogged, relentless, be engaged in, in pursuit of, pursuit of, the pursuit of excellence, happiness, knowledge, pleasure, truth, etc., close, police, give, continue, abandon, in pursuit (of), in close pursuit, in hot pursuit, active, energetic, leisure, follow | endless, eternal, never-ending, begin, embark on, go on, in a/the quest, in quest of, quest for |
| Antonyms | abandonment, avoidance, neglect | settlement, stay |
| Common mistakes | Mixing up 'pursuit' with 'pursue' – 'pursuit' is a noun., Using 'pursuit' without a clear object – always specify what is being pursued., Confusing 'pursuit' with 'chase' – 'pursuit' is more abstract. | Confusing 'quest' with 'inquiry' – quest is more about adventure or searching., Using 'quest' as a verb incorrectly – it is only a noun. |
| Usage notes | Use 'pursuit' in formal or neutral contexts. It often refers to goals, hobbies, or chasing someone/something. Avoid in casual conversation unless discussing goals or sports. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Commonly found in literature, games, and discussions about goals. Might be less appropriate in casual conversations about everyday tasks. |
Frequently asked questions: Pursuit vs Quest
What's the difference between Pursuit and Quest?
Pursuit: The act of trying to catch or reach something. Quest: A journey or search to find something important.
Which is more common: Pursuit and Quest?
Pursuit is the most common in everyday English.
Are Pursuit and Quest the same CEFR level?
Pursuit: B2, Quest: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Pursuit and Quest interchangeably?
Not always. Pursuit and Quest 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.