Cool MateChase vs Follow vs Pursue
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Chase
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Follow
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Pursue
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
| Chase | Follow | Pursue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃeɪs/","/ˈtʃeɪsɪz/","/tʃeɪst/","/ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃeɪs/","/ˈtʃeɪsɪz/","/tʃeɪst/","/ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɒləʊ/","/ˈfɒləʊz/","/ˈfɒləʊd/","/ˈfɒləʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɑːləʊ/","/ˈfɑːləʊz/","/ˈfɑːləʊd/","/ˈfɑːləʊɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pəˈsjuː//🇺🇸 //pərˈsuː// |
| Meaning | To run after someone or something quickly. | To go after someone or something or do what they do. | To chase or try to achieve something. |
| Example | The children love to chase each other in the park. | I will follow you to the store. | He decided to pursue a career in medicine. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb |
| Collocations | chase a dream, chase after, chase someone away | closely, reluctantly, dutifully, beckon somebody to, beckon to somebody to, being followed, follow close behind (somebody), follow right behind (somebody), closely, quickly, shortly, (be) followed by something, follow in the wake of something, closely, quickly, shortly, (be) followed by something, follow in the wake of something, carefully, to the letter, dutifully, faithfully, blindly, slavishly, be expected to, be likely to, follow in somebody’s footsteps, follow in the tradition of somebody/something, follow suit, not necessarily, logically, naturally, (on) from, not quite, be easy to, be difficult to, be hard to | pursue a goal, pursue a career, pursue an opportunity |
| Antonyms | flee, avoid, escape | lead, precede, guide | abandon, give up, discontinue |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'chase after' which is less common., Using the wrong tense, e.g., 'chased' instead of 'chase' when describing a continuing action., Using it without an object, e.g., saying 'I chase' instead of 'I chase the cat.' | Confusing 'follow' with 'lead' — they have opposite meanings., Using 'follow' without an object (e.g., 'I will follow' should specify who or what)., Mistakenly using 'follows' in the past tense instead of 'followed'. | Confused with 'follow' – 'pursue' implies a more active effort., Using 'pursue' with inanimate objects, instead of actions or goals. |
| Usage notes | Used when someone is trying to catch something or someone. It's appropriate for most contexts but can be informal if used in phrases like 'chase your dreams.' | Use 'follow' when discussing tracking someone physically or conceptually (like ideas or trends). For social media, 'follow' often describes subscribing to someone's updates. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts. | Use 'pursue' in neutral or formal contexts, such as academic or professional goals. Avoid in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Chase vs Follow vs Pursue
What's the difference between Chase, Follow, and Pursue?
Chase: To run after someone or something quickly. Follow: To go after someone or something or do what they do. Pursue: To chase or try to achieve something.
Are Chase, Follow, and Pursue the same CEFR level?
Chase: B2, Follow: A1, Pursue: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Chase, Follow, and Pursue?
Chase: verb, Follow: verb, Pursue: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Chase: The children love to chase each other in the park. Follow: I will follow you to the store. Pursue: He decided to pursue a career in medicine.
Can I use Chase, Follow, and Pursue interchangeably?
Not always. Chase, Follow, and Pursue 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.