Pursuit vs Shooting

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

Pursuit

Top 2,000 (common)B2noun

Shooting

Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
 PursuitShooting
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/pəˈsjuːt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈsuːt/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ˈʃuːtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈʃuːtɪŋ/"]/
MeaningThe act of trying to catch or reach something.Firing a gun or making something go fast in a particular direction.
ExampleThe police were in pursuit of the stolen vehicle for several miles.The shooting at the local theater left everyone in shock.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2B2
Part of speechnounnoun
Collocationsaggressive, 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, followshooting range, shooting star, shooting incident, shooting competition, shooting practice
Antonymsabandonment, avoidance, neglectcatching, holding
Common mistakesMixing 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.Confused with 'shot' in past tense context., Using 'shoot' instead of 'shooting' when describing an ongoing action., Misunderstanding the difference between 'shooting' a gun and 'shooting' a film.
Usage notesUse '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.The term 'shooting' can refer to both recreational and violent contexts. It's commonly used in sports (like shooting competitions) and law enforcement, but should be used cautiously in casual conversation due to its violent implications.

Frequently asked questions: Pursuit vs Shooting

What's the difference between Pursuit and Shooting?

Pursuit: The act of trying to catch or reach something. Shooting: Firing a gun or making something go fast in a particular direction.

Are Pursuit and Shooting the same CEFR level?

Pursuit: B2, Shooting: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Pursuit and Shooting?

Pursuit: noun, Shooting: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Pursuit: The police were in pursuit of the stolen vehicle for several miles. Shooting: The shooting at the local theater left everyone in shock.

Can I use Pursuit and Shooting interchangeably?

Not always. Pursuit and Shooting 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.