Pursue or Persue: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: If you are wondering whether to use pursue or persue, the answer is simple. Pursue is the only correct spelling of the verb meaning to follow or chase. Persue is a common misspelling that does not exist in standard English dictionaries and should always be corrected.

The Short Answer

Pursue is the correct spelling for the verb meaning to follow, chase, or strive for a goal. It is the only form accepted in professional and academic writing.

People often confuse these two because the spoken sound of the second syllable can sound like an 's'. This auditory illusion leads many writers to type persue by mistake, even though the correct word uses a double u.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
pursue	Correct	You want to follow a path, chase a suspect, or strive for a dream.
persue	Incorrect	You should never use this form; it is a common typo.
pursuit	Correct Noun	You need the noun form to discuss the act of chasing or following.
persuit	Incorrect Noun	This is also a misspelling; always use pursuit for the noun form.

Correct Example Sentences

She decided to pursue a career in medicine after years of careful study.
Police officers will pursue the suspect through the busy downtown streets.
He wants to pursue his passion for painting despite the challenges.
The company plans to pursue new markets in Europe next quarter.
They chose to pursue peace talks rather than continue the conflict.
Students should pursue their interests with dedication and focus.
The detective will pursue every lead to solve the mystery.
We need to pursue our goals with unwavering determination and grit.
Scientists will pursue the truth through rigorous experimentation.
Let us pursue knowledge and understanding in all our daily actions.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

I want to persue my dream of becoming an artist.: I want to pursue my dream of becoming an artist.
The dog will persue the cat up the tree.: The dog will pursue the cat up the tree.
She decided to persue further education abroad.: She decided to pursue further education abroad.
They will persue legal action if the issue continues.: They will pursue legal action if the issue continues.
He plans to persue a new hobby this summer.: He plans to pursue a new hobby this summer.
We must persue excellence in our work every day.: We must pursue excellence in our work every day.

A Quick Test You Can Use

To check your spelling, recall the noun pursuit. If you can mentally swap the ending to match that familiar noun, you will remember the double u in the verb form. This connection helps reinforce the correct spelling naturally.

Related Word Pairs

Principle vs Principal: Principle is a rule; principal is the head of a school or main amount.
Effect vs Affect: Effect is the result; affect is the action that causes change.
Loose vs Lose: Loose means not tight; lose means to be deprived of something.
Stationary vs Stationery: Stationary means not moving; stationery refers to writing paper.
Complement vs Compliment: Complement completes something; compliment is a praise or nice remark.

More Example Sentences

She plans to pursue a degree in environmental science next fall.
The detective will pursue the suspect through the crowded market.
He decided to pursue his passion for classical guitar after retirement.
We must pursue our goals with steady determination and focus.
The company intends to pursue new investment opportunities in Asia.
Students should pursue their academic interests with genuine curiosity.
He will pursue legal action if the contract is breached again.
They chose to pursue peace rather than escalate the conflict.
The runner will pursue the record at the upcoming marathon.
Let us pursue truth and clarity in all our daily discussions.

Quick Practice

I hope to a career in software engineering.

pursue

The officer will the vehicle if it runs the red light.

pursue

She wants to her dream of opening a bakery.

pursue

We should opportunities for growth within the team.

pursue

He will further studies in history at the university.

pursue

The athletes will victory with intense training.

pursue

Frequently Asked Questions

Is persue ever acceptable in informal writing?

No, persue is considered a spelling error in all contexts. Even in casual texts or social media posts, using the incorrect form can distract readers and reduce your credibility. Always use pursue.

How do you use pursue in a sentence?

You can use pursue to describe chasing a physical object, following a suspect, or striving for a career goal. It works well with objects like dreams, degrees, or paths.

What is the noun form of pursue?

The noun form is pursuit. For example, you might say the pursuit of happiness or the pursuit of justice. Never write persuit, as that is a common misspelling.

Why do people spell it persue so often?

The confusion stems from how the word sounds when spoken aloud. The second syllable sounds like an s, leading many to type it that way. Remembering the connection to pursuit helps avoid this trap.