How to use "pursuant to"

What Does "pursuant to" Mean?

• Grammatical function: indicates cause or condition; specifies the authority or reason behind an action.
• Typical sentence position: initial or medial.
• Register: formal.

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: "Pursuant to" is typically followed by a noun phrase specifying the law, rule, regulation, or wish that is being followed. It often introduces a clause explaining an action taken in accordance with something.
• Punctuation rules: Generally, a comma follows "pursuant to" when it begins a sentence or clause. No comma is needed when it's embedded within a clause and closely tied to the surrounding words.
• Grammatical flexibility: "Pursuant to" can start a sentence or be placed within a clause. It cannot be negated directly. You can rephrase to show non-compliance, e.g., "not pursuant to" or "in violation of".
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using "pursuant to" in informal conversation sounds unnatural. It's also incorrect to use it without specifying what the action is pursuant to.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from pursuant to on Ludwig.guru.

"Pursuant to his wishes, services were private." — The New York Times

"California sentenced Ewing pursuant to its "three-strikes" law." — The New York Times

"No such searches were conducted pursuant to a warrant." — The Guardian

"A Report Pursuant to Senate Bill 13-283." — Nature

"Determinations are made pursuant to § 181.3." — Cornell University

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/pursuant+to

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
according to	Neutral; applicable in both formal and informal settings.
in accordance with	Formal; emphasizes agreement or conformity.
under	Often used with laws or regulations; implies acting within the scope of something.
as per	Slightly less formal than "pursuant to," but still generally formal; often used in business correspondence.
in compliance with	Formal; emphasizes adherence to rules or standards.
following	Neutral; indicates sequence or adherence to instructions.
based on	Neutral; indicates a foundation or reason for something.

Common Mistakes

• Using "pursuant to" in casual conversation is a common mistake. It sounds overly formal in everyday contexts.
• Forgetting to specify what the action is pursuant to is another error. The phrase requires a clear reference to the rule, law, or wish being followed.
• Learners often misuse "pursuant to" in informal contexts or confuse it with similar-sounding phrases like "in pursuit of."

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
pursuant to	Indicates cause/condition; specifies authority	Formal	Initial or Medial

FAQs

Where can "pursuant to" appear in a sentence?

"Pursuant to" usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to introduce the reason or authority for an action. It can also appear mid-clause, but it's less common. For example, "Pursuant to the agreement, the payment was made" or "The payment, pursuant to the agreement, was made."

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How does "pursuant to" differ from "according to"?

Both "pursuant to" and "according to" indicate that something is done following a rule or instruction, but "pursuant to" is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. "According to" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

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How can I avoid misusing "pursuant to"?

To avoid misuse, remember that "pursuant to" is a formal phrase best suited for legal, official, or business writing. Avoid using it in casual conversation. Also, ensure you are not confusing it with similar-sounding phrases like "in pursuit of", which has a completely different meaning. Always follow "pursuant to" with a specific reference (law, rule, wish etc.) to avoid ambiguity.