Persue vs Pursue: The Definitive Guide to the Correct Spelling, Meaning, and Usage

Many English learners and even native speakers often get confused between persue vs pursue, mainly because they look and sound so similar. One small spelling difference can completely change whether your sentence is correct or incorrect. If you’ve ever wondered “Is persue a word?” or hesitated while writing pursue meaning, you’re not alone. This mix-up is one of the most common English spelling mistakes people make in both casual and professional writing.

The truth is simple but important. Pursue is the correct spelling and has several meanings, including to follow, chase, or work toward a goal. On the other hand, persue is a misspelling and does not appear in standard English dictionaries. Yet, it still shows up frequently in emails, essays, resumes, and online content, which can hurt clarity and credibility.

Understanding the difference between pursue and persue helps you write with confidence and precision. Whether you’re trying to pursue a career, pursue higher education, or simply improve your grammar and vocabulary, mastering this distinction is essential. In this guide, we’ll clearly explain pursue vs persue, share examples, and show you how to avoid this error for good.

Why “Persue vs Pursue” Confuses So Many People

At first glance, “persue” and “pursue” look nearly identical. That’s the core of the problem. The human brain tries to spell words based on how they sound, not how they’re actually written. So, when people hear PUR-SOO, they assume P-E-R-S-U-E fits.

That makes sense… except it’s wrong.

Here’s the bottom line:

• Pursue is the correct spelling.
• Persue is a misspelling.

Even spellcheck can slip up. Some editors either skip over mistakes or accept “persue” because it looks almost right.

Many writers type “persue” because they never learned the right pattern. Once it enters habit, it spreads like a typo bug.

Here’s why the confusion happens:

Common Causes of the Error

• People learn by sound, not spelling.
• English has inconsistent pronunciation.
• Similar-looking words trick the eye.
• Early learners solidify bad habits.

Real-World Example

“I want to persue my goals in life.”
That sentence pops up on blogs and social media. But it’s incorrect. The correct version is:

“I want to pursue my goals in life.”

The only spelling you should use moving forward is pursue.

The Only Correct Spelling in Modern American English

Across dictionaries and formal style guides, pursue is the standard.

Here’s how major references treat it:

Source	Accepted Spelling	Comment
Merriam-Webster	pursue	No variant “persue”
Oxford English Dictionary	pursue	Standard English use
American Heritage	pursue	Emphasizes correct pronunciation
Chicago Manual of Style	pursue	Mandatory in formal writing

Key Takeaway: If you ever see persue in a dictionary, web page, or book, it’s either a typo or extremely outdated. The only correct word in modern writing is pursue.

What “Pursue” Actually Means (Plain English Definition)

So what does “pursue” mean? At its heart, it means to keep trying to get something. That something could be physical, like a target, or abstract, like a dream. The idea always involves effort over time.

Simple Definition

Pursue (verb): To follow or chase something with intention or determination.

Core components of the meaning:

• Intent: You choose to do it.
• Continuity: It isn’t a one-time action.
• Goal-oriented: You aim to reach something right ahead.

Examples

• “She pursued the ball across the field.”
• “He pursued his passion for music.”
• “We continue to pursue better health.”

Pursue isn’t passive. It suggests action.

Using “Pursue” in Physical, Literal Situations

Most definitions start with the physical sense: chasing something you can see or touch.

Literal Uses

Here are common real-world contexts:

• Sports – A defender pursues a player with the ball.
• Law enforcement – Officers pursue a suspect.
• Wildlife – A predator pursues its prey.

Example Sentences

• “The police pursued the suspect through the downtown streets.”
• “The runner pursued the lead pack with every stride.”
• “The cat pursued the toy mouse across the carpet.”

These examples show movement with intent—which is the core of pursue’s literal meaning.

Remember: If nothing is being followed or chased, the meaning shifts to something more abstract.

Using “Pursue” in Abstract, Goal-Driven Contexts

Most of the time in everyday writing, “pursue” appears in the abstract sense—especially with goals, dreams, careers, passions, and ideals.

Here’s how you see it:

• “She pursued her education.”
• “They are pursuing happiness.”
• “We pursue better solutions.”

Why This Matters

When you say someone pursues a dream, you communicate effort, focus, and persistence. It’s stronger than saying they want or hope for it—it suggests ongoing action.

Common Phrases and Collocations with “Pursue”

Some word pairs just sound natural. These collocations help solidify correct usage.

Here’s a list of frequent ones:

• pursue a career
• pursue an opportunity
• pursue justice
• pursue a hobby
• pursue higher education
• pursue goals
• pursue an investigation

Tips to Remember

• If it sounds like an active process, pursue likely fits.
• If it’s static or states something, choose a different verb.

Why “Persue” Appears Online (and Why It’s Wrong)

You might wonder: if pursue is correct, why does persue keep showing up?

The Root Causes

• Phonetic confusion: People spell what they hear.
• Poor editing: Many content creators don’t fact-check.
• Search Algorithms: Some pages accept and promote the wrong spelling.
• Non-native speakers: Writers learning English write what sounds right.

Impact

Search engines do recognize pursue as the correct spelling. Using persue can harm your content’s ranking because:

• It signals low quality.
• It triggers edit flags in quality checks.
• It reduces reader trust.

This problem grows when major sites litter their content with the wrong spelling. That’s why you still see it—even though it’s incorrect.

A Brief History of the Word “Pursue”

English borrows heavily from other languages. Pursue entered English through Norman French and Latin.

Here’s the rough lineage:

Old French poursivre → Anglo-Norman → Middle English pursuen → Modern English pursue

The core meaning stayed stable: to follow or chase.

Why Spelling Matters

Unlike spoken language, written language kept narrowing toward a standard form. By the 1700s, English dictionaries had locked in pursue as the norm.

Anything that looks like persue is just a byproduct of phonetic guessing, not historical correctness.

Was “Persue” Ever Correct? A Historical Reality Check

Some people claim “persue” was once correct. The truth: not really.

Here’s what we know:

• Historical English did have shifts like pursueth or pursuen.
• There’s no evidence major dictionaries or grammar sources listed persue as an accepted form.
• Any instances of “persue” in old manuscripts aren’t formal spellings — they’re scribal errors.

So no, persue was never a legit spelling in standard English.

How to Remember the Correct Spelling Every Time

Here are smart tricks that actually work.

Memory Hacks That Stick

1. Break it into parts:pur- + -sue.
   • Think of “purposefully sueing your goals.”
2. Rhyme it:
   • “If you want to pursue, don’t ever fight the U.”
3. Visual aid:
   • Picture a runner saying, I will pursue that finish line.

These simple tools help writers switch from guesswork to confidence.

Pursue vs Similar-Looking or Related Words

Mistakes often happen when a word sounds like pursue, but means something else.

Pursue vs Persuade

• Pursue: to follow or chase.
  • “She pursued her dream.”
• Persuade: to convince.
  • “She persuaded her friend to join.”

Pursue vs Peruse

• Peruse: to read thoroughly or examine.
  • “He perused the contract carefully.”

Because these words sound similar, even native writers slip up. Always double-check meaning before writing.

Quick Comparison Table

Word	Meaning	Example
pursue	follow or chase	“She pursued the championship.”
persuade	convince someone	“She persuaded him to stay.”
peruse	read carefully	“He perused the instructions.”
persue	incorrect	Should be pursue

When “Pursue” Sounds Wrong and Better Alternatives Help

Sometimes pursue isn’t the best choice.

Here’s when to avoid it:

• Static states (use have or be)
• Short-lived desires (use want or wish)
• Objects that don’t involve effort

Better Words to Use Instead

Meaning You Want	Better Word
Short desire	want, wish
Instant reaction	react, respond
Ongoing effort	pursue, strive

Examples

• Incorrect: “I pursue ice cream.”
  Better: “I want ice cream.”
• Soften action: “We want peace, not pursue it like a battle.”

The key: pick words that match intent and effort.

Using “Pursue” Correctly in Professional Writing

Professional writing demands precision. Using words correctly builds credibility.

Where Pursue Works Best

• Resumes: “Pursued leadership roles across departments.”
• Cover letters: “I pursued excellence in every project.”
• Academic writing: “The study pursued multiple hypotheses.”
• Business reports: “We pursued data-driven strategies.”

Professional Tone Checklist

When writing, ask:
✔ Does pursue fit the context?
✔ Is the action deliberate and ongoing?
✔ Does the sentence sound active and clear?

If the answer is yes, go ahead and use pursue.

“Pursue” in Literature, Speeches, and Famous Quotes

Writers love pursue because it signals determination. Here are classic ways the word appears in strong writing:

“He who can pursue his passion with discipline builds a life worth living.”
— Author unknown (but widely shared)

“To pursue truth is the highest calling of the human mind.”
— Common in philosophical writing

These uses help define pursue as more than a simple verb—it conveys purpose.

How Editors Spot the Error Instantly

Editors train their eyes to catch common typos—and persue stands out like a sore thumb.

Here’s why:

• The brain sees the wrong pattern instantly.
• It disrupts rhythm in sentences.
• It signals carelessness.

Real Editing Rule
Editors often search for common misspellings first—like definately, recieve, and persue. If you get these right, your text looks instantly cleaner.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between persue vs pursue is essential for clear and correct writing. While the two words may look similar, only pursue is the correct English spelling. It means to chase, follow, or work toward a goal, whether that goal is a career, education, or personal ambition. In contrast, persue is simply a common spelling mistake and has no meaning in standard English.

Using the wrong spelling can weaken your writing and affect your credibility, especially in professional writing, academic work, and online content. By remembering that pursue contains “sue,” like seeking or going after something, you can easily avoid this error. Mastering small distinctions like pursue vs persue improves your grammar accuracy, boosts confidence, and makes your message clearer. In short, if you want your writing to look polished and professional, always choose pursue.

FAQs

Is persue a real word?

No, persue is not a real word. It is a misspelling of pursue and does not appear in standard English dictionaries.

What does pursue mean?

Pursue means to follow, chase, or actively work toward something, such as a goal, career, dream, or opportunity.

Why do people confuse persue vs pursue?

People confuse them because they are pronounced similarly and look almost identical, making it a common English spelling error.

Can I ever use persue in a sentence?

No. Persue should never be used in formal or informal writing. Always replace it with pursue.

How can I remember the correct spelling of pursue?

Think of pursue as “suing” or seeking something. If you’re going after a goal, you pursue it.