Pursuant to

You place pursuant to before the mention of a document, a law, or an agreement. It usually kicks off a sentence to justify an action. For example: Pursuant to the new GDPR regulations, we’ve updated our privacy policy. It can also sit in the middle of a sentence to link an action to its source. The funds were released pursuant to the court order. Just remember, it’s a 'linking' phrase. It connects the 'what' (the action) to the 'why' (the rule). If there's no rule involved, don't use it. It's like wearing a tuxedo to a swimming pool—it just doesn't fit the vibe.

This phrase lives at the very top of the formality scale. It’s very_formal. You’ll find it in contracts, legal summons, official HR letters, and high-level business correspondence. In the world of texting or casual emails, it’s almost never used unless you’re joking. If you text a friend, Pursuant to our chat yesterday, I am buying the pizza, they might think you’ve been replaced by an AI bot or a very boring lawyer. Use it when you need to sound authoritative, serious, and 100% 'by the book.' It’s the linguistic equivalent of a stiff, starched collar.

You’ll see this all over the digital world today. When Spotify or Netflix updates their terms, the email often says something like, Pursuant to changes in local tax laws, your subscription price will increase. It’s also common in job settings. If you’re a freelancer, you might write: Pursuant to our signed agreement, I am submitting the final invoice today. In the news, you’ll hear it regarding government actions: Pursuant to the executive order, the border will close at midnight. Even in small business, it’s used to point to the 'fine print.' It’s the phrase that says, 'Don't blame me, blame the contract.'

Use it when the stakes are high and you need to be precise. It’s perfect for formal letters where you want to cite a specific clause or law. If you’re responding to a legal request, pursuant to is your best friend. Use it in professional settings when you want to emphasize that an action is legitimate and authorized. It’s also great for creating a paper trail. By saying pursuant to Section 5, you are making it clear exactly which rule you are following. It prevents arguments because it points directly to the source of authority.

Never use pursuant to for casual opinions or personal habits. Pursuant to my hunger, I am eating a sandwich is grammatically okay but socially weird. Don't use it when as per or according to would work better in a semi-formal context. It’s too heavy for a quick Slack message to a coworker. Also, avoid it if you aren’t actually citing a rule or document. If you’re just following a suggestion, pursuant to is overkill. It’s like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut—you’ll get the job done, but you’ll look a bit intense doing it.

One of the biggest blunders is saying pursuant of. That’s a mix-up with in pursuit of (which means chasing something). Stick to pursuant to. Another mistake is using it as a synonym for because of. While they are related, pursuant to specifically implies a rule-based cause.

Don't let the 'to' trip you up—it's always to, never of or with in this specific phrase.

If pursuant to feels too 'lawyerly,' you can use in accordance with. It’s still formal but slightly softer. In compliance with is another good one if you’re talking about safety or tax rules. In more modern, 'Silicon Valley' style business English, people often just use per. Per our contract is much shorter and snappier than Pursuant to our contract. You might also see under. Under the terms of our agreement is a classic alternative. Each of these carries a slightly different 'weight,' with pursuant to being the heaviest and most traditional.

Is pursuant to the same as according to? Mostly, yes, but pursuant to is much more formal and specifically refers to legal or official rules. You wouldn't say pursuant to the Bible unless you were in a very specific legal-theological debate. Is it okay to use in a job interview? Only if you are discussing specific contracts or legal requirements; otherwise, it might make you sound a bit too stiff and robotic. What is the most common mistake? Definitely saying pursuant of instead of pursuant to. People often confuse it with 'the pursuit of happiness.'