Quick answer: Follow means to go behind someone, to come after, or to act in accordance with something: Follow the signs. Pursue means to actively chase or work towards something with determination: pursue a career, pursue a suspect. Pursue is more formal and implies greater effort and purpose. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘follow’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Register | Core Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| follow | neutral | to go behind; come after; comply with | Follow the path to the exit. |
| pursue | formal | to actively chase; to work towards with effort | She pursued her dream of becoming a doctor. |
Using Follow
Follow covers a wide range of everyday meanings: moving behind someone or something, obeying instructions, coming after in time or order, or subscribing to someone online. It is the neutral, everyday choice.
Follow me — I know the way.
Winter follows autumn.
Please follow the instructions carefully.
She follows several science accounts online.
Using Pursue
Pursue implies deliberate, sustained effort towards a goal. It is more formal than follow and is often used in professional, academic, or legal contexts. It can also mean to chase someone or something actively.
He decided to pursue a career in law.
The police pursued the vehicle for several miles.
We should pursue every available option.
She pursued her studies despite many obstacles.
Common Mistakes
✗ She decided to follow a career in medicine. (sounds weak)
✓ She decided to pursue a career in medicine.
✗ Step 2 pursues step 1 in the process.
✓ Step 2 follows step 1 in the process.
✗ The pursue of happiness.
✓ The pursuit of happiness.
Note: the noun is pursuit, not pursue.
Also confusing: Force vs Make, Gain vs Earn. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Follow or Pursue?
Four questions — choose the correct verb.
1. “He has always wanted to ___ a career in journalism.”
2. “___ the signs to reach the car park.”
3. “Officers ___ the suspect for two kilometres.”
4. “As ___ from the discussion above, the evidence is clear.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between follow and pursue?
Follow means to go after, come next, or comply with something. Pursue implies active, sustained effort towards a goal, and is more formal and ambitious in tone.
Can follow and pursue both be used for chasing someone?
Yes, but pursue suggests a more intense, determined chase. Police “pursue” suspects; you might “follow” someone through a crowd. Pursue is stronger and more formal.
What is the noun form of pursue?
The noun is pursuit: “the pursuit of happiness”, “a high-speed pursuit”. The plural pursuits means activities: “leisure pursuits”.
Can follow mean to understand?
Yes. “I don’t follow you” means “I don’t understand.” Pursue cannot be used in this sense.
Is “follow a dream” correct?
Both “follow a dream” and “pursue a dream” are correct. Pursue is more formal and emphasises effort; follow is more lyrical and personal.
What does “as follows” mean?
“As follows” introduces a list or explanation: “The rules are as follows:” It is a fixed phrase. You cannot say “as pursues”.
Can pursue be used with feelings or attitudes?
Not typically. You pursue goals, careers, or suspects. For feelings, “follow your instincts” or “follow your heart” is the natural choice.
What does “follow up” mean?
“Follow up” means to take further action on something: “I’ll follow up on your application.” The related noun is “follow-up”. Pursue does not form this phrasal verb.
Is pursue used in legal English?
Yes. “Pursue legal action” is a standard legal phrase. “Follow legal action” would be unusual. In legal contexts, pursue is nearly always preferred.
Can I follow or pursue a topic in academic writing?
Both are possible. “This paper pursues the question of...” is more formal and ambitious. “This paper follows a chronological approach” describes method or sequence.