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B1 verb #18 most common 11 min read

chased

Top 18

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips chased in 30 Seconds

Explanation chased in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'chased' is a word you might learn when talking about animals or simple games. It means to run after something. Imagine a dog running after a cat. The dog 'chased' the cat. Or imagine children playing a game where they run after each other. They 'chased' their friends. It is a very active word. You use it to talk about things that happened in the past. For example, 'Yesterday, my dog chased a ball.' It is important to remember that 'chased' has an 'ed' at the end because it happened before now. You can use it to tell simple stories about your pets or your childhood. It is a fun and easy word to use when you want to describe movement and excitement.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'chased' in more varied sentences. You might use it to describe a situation where you were in a hurry. For example, 'I chased the bus because I was late.' This shows that you were running fast to catch something. You can also use it in the passive voice, like 'The mouse was chased by the cat.' This is a bit more advanced but very useful. At this level, you should also know that 'chased' can be used with 'away'. If you 'chased away' a bird, it means you made the bird fly away by running toward it. It's a great word for adding more detail to your daily stories and describing interactions between people and animals.

For B1 learners, 'chased' becomes a more versatile word that includes metaphorical meanings. While you still use it for physical pursuit, you can now use it to describe striving for goals. For instance, 'He chased his dreams of becoming a doctor.' This doesn't mean he was literally running; it means he worked very hard to achieve his goal. You might also hear it in the context of 'chasing a deadline,' which means trying to finish work before a certain time. At this level, you should be comfortable using 'chased' in both active and passive forms and understand that it implies a high level of effort or energy. It is a key word for describing motivations and life paths in more complex conversations and essays.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuances of 'chased' compared to words like 'pursued' or 'followed'. 'Chased' often implies a more frantic or less organized pursuit than 'pursued'. You might use it to describe social dynamics, such as 'chasing fame' or 'chasing popularity,' often with a slightly critical tone, suggesting that the pursuit might be vain or exhausting. You will also encounter 'chased' in more idiomatic expressions and in literature where it can describe being 'chased by one's past' or 'chased by guilt.' Your ability to use 'chased' to convey emotional intensity and complex motivations is expected at this level. You should also be aware of its technical meaning in metalworking, though this is less common.

At the C1 level, you use 'chased' with precision to evoke specific imagery and tone. You might use it in a literary sense to describe the play of light and shadow ('The clouds chased each other across the sky') or to describe complex economic behaviors ('Investors chased high-yield bonds despite the risks'). You understand that 'chased' can imply a lack of control or a reactive nature, as opposed to 'pursued,' which suggests a more calculated strategy. You can use 'chased' to add a dynamic, almost cinematic quality to your writing. Your mastery of the word includes its use in various registers, from informal storytelling to sophisticated analysis of human behavior and societal trends.

At the C2 level, 'chased' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it to explore the psychological depths of pursuit—how a person can be 'chased' by their own shadow or by the inexorable passage of time. You might use the technical sense of 'chased silver' in a discussion about art history or craftsmanship. You are aware of the word's etymological roots and how they inform its modern connotations of 'driving out' and 'hunting.' In your writing, 'chased' is used to create rhythm and impact, often in combination with other sophisticated vocabulary. You can distinguish between the 'chased' of a frantic hunt and the 'chased' of a beautifully crafted piece of art, using each with absolute confidence and stylistic flair.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

chased in 30 Seconds

Chased is the past tense of chase, meaning to pursue someone or something rapidly to catch or drive them away.
It is used for physical actions like animals running or metaphorical actions like seeking a career goal or a dream.
In metalworking, 'chased' refers to a specific technique of decorating metal surfaces by hammering from the front side.
Commonly used in active and passive voice, it often implies energy, urgency, or a high level of persistent effort.

The word chased is the past tense and past participle form of the verb 'chase'. At its most fundamental level, it describes the act of following someone or something quickly in order to catch them, drive them away, or simply keep up with them. It is a word rooted in action, movement, and often a sense of urgency or competition. Whether it is a literal physical pursuit or a metaphorical striving for a goal, 'chased' implies that there is a target and a pursuer moving toward it with significant effort.

Physical Pursuit: This is the most common usage, referring to animals or people running after one another. For example, a dog that has chased a squirrel or a police officer who chased a thief through the city streets.

The hungry lion chased the gazelle across the vast savanna for several minutes before the prey finally escaped into the thick brush.

Metaphorical Pursuit: In a non-physical sense, 'chased' refers to the persistent effort to achieve something difficult, such as a dream, a career goal, or even a romantic interest. It suggests that the objective is not easily attained and requires constant 'running' after it.

Throughout her entire twenties, Sarah chased her dream of becoming a professional opera singer, moving from city to city for every possible audition.

Social and Romantic Context: In dating and social dynamics, 'chased' describes one person showing intense interest in another, often when the interest is not immediately returned. It can describe a 'cat and mouse' game of affection.

He felt like he had chased her for months before she finally agreed to go out on a simple dinner date with him.

Financial and Professional Pursuit: In business, people might have chased a promotion or a specific contract. In investing, 'chasing the market' means buying assets after their price has already risen significantly, often out of a fear of missing out.

The company chased the lucrative government contract for over a year, investing thousands of hours into the proposal process.

Artistic and Technical Meaning: A less common but important use is in metalworking. 'Chased' metal is metal that has been decorated by hammering patterns into the surface from the front. This is a specific technical term used by jewelers and sculptors.

The antique silver bowl was beautifully chased with intricate floral patterns that shimmered in the candlelight.

In summary, 'chased' is a word that spans from the primal instinct of the hunt to the sophisticated pursuit of modern ambitions. It captures the energy of movement toward a goal, whether that goal is a physical object, a person, or a dream. Its usage is pervasive in literature, news, and daily conversation, making it a vital part of a B1 learner's vocabulary. By understanding the different layers of 'chased', you can better describe the motivations and actions of people and animals in various scenarios.

Using 'chased' correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a past tense verb and its typical sentence structures. It usually follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern, where the subject is the pursuer and the object is the one being pursued. However, it can also be used in the passive voice, which shifts the focus to the person or thing being followed. This section will explore the various ways to integrate 'chased' into your writing and speech, ensuring you can express pursuit in any context.

Active Voice Construction: In the active voice, the subject performs the action. This is the most direct way to use the word. Structure: [Subject] + chased + [Object].

The security guard chased the trespasser out of the private parking lot and down the alleyway.

Passive Voice Construction: In the passive voice, the object of the pursuit becomes the subject of the sentence. Structure: [Object] + was/were + chased + (by [Subject]). This is useful when the pursuer is unknown or less important.

The small kitten was chased by a large, barking dog until it found safety under a parked car.

Using 'Chased After': Adding the preposition 'after' can emphasize the direction and the ongoing nature of the pursuit. It is very common in informal and descriptive English.

He chased after the bus as it pulled away from the stop, waving his arms frantically to get the driver's attention.

Metaphorical Objects: When the object is abstract, 'chased' describes a life pursuit. Common objects include: dreams, success, fame, money, and shadows.

Many young actors have chased fame in Hollywood, only to find that the reality of the industry is much harder than they imagined.

Chased Away/Out: When combined with 'away' or 'out', the meaning shifts slightly to mean 'forced to leave' by pursuit.

The farmer chased the crows away from his cornfield by shouting and waving a large stick.

By mastering these patterns, you can use 'chased' to describe a wide range of actions. Whether you are writing a thriller about a car pursuit, a biography of a successful entrepreneur, or a simple story about a pet, 'chased' provides the necessary linguistic power to convey movement and intention. Remember to choose between active and passive voice based on which part of the story you want to emphasize, and use prepositions like 'after' or 'away' to refine the meaning of the pursuit.

The word 'chased' is ubiquitous in English-speaking cultures, appearing in everything from high-stakes news reports to children's cartoons. Its versatility allows it to function in many different registers of speech. Understanding where you are likely to encounter this word will help you recognize its nuances and use it more naturally in your own conversations. From the literal to the figurative, 'chased' is a staple of modern communication.

In News and Media: News reports frequently use 'chased' when describing police activity, criminal pursuits, or even political campaigns. It adds a sense of drama and urgency to the reporting.

'The suspect was chased through three counties before the high-speed pursuit ended safely,' the news anchor reported during the evening broadcast.

In Sports Commentary: Sports announcers use 'chased' to describe players trying to catch an opponent or a ball. In baseball, a pitcher might be 'chased' from the game if they are performing poorly and are replaced.

The outfielder chased the fly ball all the way to the wall, making a spectacular catch just before hitting the padding.

In Movies and Literature: Action movies are built on chase scenes. In literature, characters are often 'chased' by their past, by ghosts, or by their own ambitions. It is a fundamental element of storytelling conflict.

In the classic novel, the protagonist was chased by the memory of his mistakes, unable to find peace no matter how far he traveled.

In Everyday Conversation: People use 'chased' to describe mundane events, like chasing a toddler around the house or chasing a deadline at work. It often implies a bit of stress or a busy schedule.

'I've been chased by deadlines all week,' Mark complained to his colleague, 'I haven't had a moment to just sit and breathe.'

In Music Lyrics: Songs often feature 'chased' to describe romantic pursuit or the search for happiness. It is a rhythmic word that fits well into many musical genres.

The lyrics spoke of a man who chased the sunset across the country, looking for a place where he could finally belong.

Whether you are watching the news, enjoying a movie, or talking with friends, 'chased' is a word that you will hear frequently. Its ability to describe both high-speed physical action and the slow, grinding pursuit of life goals makes it an essential part of the English lexicon. Pay attention to the context in which it is used, and you will see how it adds flavor and movement to the language.

While 'chased' is a relatively straightforward word, there are several common pitfalls that learners and even native speakers can fall into. These mistakes usually involve confusing 'chased' with similar-sounding words, using the wrong preposition, or misapplying its metaphorical meaning. By being aware of these errors, you can communicate more clearly and avoid common misunderstandings.

Chased vs. Chaste: One of the most common spelling errors is confusing 'chased' (pursued) with 'chaste' (pure or abstaining from sexual relations). They are homophones, meaning they sound the same, but their meanings are entirely different.

Incorrect: He lived a chased life.
Correct: He lived a chaste life.

Chased vs. Followed: While 'chased' and 'followed' both involve moving behind someone, 'chased' implies speed and an intent to catch. 'Followed' is more neutral and can be slow or even secretive.

If you say the detective chased the suspect, it means they were running. If the detective followed the suspect, they might have been walking quietly behind them.

Misusing 'Chased After': Sometimes people use 'chased after' when 'chased' alone is sufficient. While 'chased after' is common, using it too much can make your writing feel repetitive. Also, ensure you don't say 'chased behind', which is grammatically awkward.

Awkward: The dog chased behind the car.
Better: The dog chased the car.

Overusing Metaphorical 'Chased': In professional writing, overusing 'chased' for goals can sound cliché. Words like 'pursued', 'sought', or 'strived for' can sometimes be more appropriate depending on the level of formality.

Cliché: He chased the promotion.
Professional: He pursued the promotion with great dedication.

Tense Confusion: Since 'chased' is the past tense, learners sometimes forget to use 'chase' for present or future actions. 'He will chased' is incorrect; it should be 'He will chase'.

Incorrect: I will chased my dreams.
Correct: I will chase my dreams.

Avoiding these common mistakes will significantly improve your English proficiency. Pay close attention to spelling, especially with homophones like 'chaste', and consider the intensity of the action before choosing 'chased' over 'followed'. With practice, you will be able to use 'chased' accurately and effectively in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to 'chased' but carry slightly different nuances. Depending on the speed, intent, and context of the pursuit, you might choose a different word to be more precise. This section compares 'chased' with its closest synonyms and alternatives, helping you choose the right word for every situation.

Pursued: 'Pursued' is a more formal and often more serious alternative to 'chased'. It is frequently used in legal, academic, and professional contexts. It implies a systematic or long-term effort.

The detective pursued the lead for weeks, whereas a child might have simply chased a ball into the street.

Hunted: 'Hunted' implies a pursuit with the intent to capture and usually kill or harm. It is much more intense and aggressive than 'chased'.

The wolves hunted the deer through the forest, a much more lethal action than a dog that chased a cat for fun.

Trailed: 'Trailed' means to follow from a distance, often slowly or secretly. It lacks the high speed and direct confrontation often associated with 'chased'.

The private investigator trailed the car for miles, staying far enough back to remain unnoticed.

Tracked: 'Tracked' involves following signs or footprints to find someone. It is a more methodical and observational form of pursuit than the raw speed of being 'chased'.

The search party tracked the missing hiker by looking for broken branches and footprints in the mud.

Shadowed: 'Shadowed' means to follow someone very closely and usually secretly, like a shadow. It is often used in the context of training (shadowing a mentor) or surveillance.

The new intern shadowed the senior manager all day to learn how to handle difficult client meetings.

By expanding your vocabulary to include these alternatives, you can describe different types of pursuit with much greater precision. 'Chased' remains the best word for fast, energetic, or dream-like pursuits, but 'pursued', 'hunted', 'trailed', 'tracked', and 'shadowed' offer valuable variations for more specific contexts. Practice using these words in different sentences to see how they change the tone and meaning of your descriptions.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'chase' and 'catch' actually come from the same Latin root 'captiare'. While 'catch' came through a different dialect of French, 'chase' kept the sense of the pursuit itself.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʃeɪst/

US /tʃeɪst/

Single syllable word; no internal stress variation.

Rhymes With

waste paste haste taste baste spaced placed faced

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'ed' as a separate syllable (chase-id). It should be a 't' sound.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'chaste' (though they are homophones, the context must be clear).
Softening the 'ch' sound to a 'sh' sound.
Dropping the final 't' sound.
Shortening the 'a' vowel to a sound like 'cat'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in most texts as a simple action verb.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding of past tense and metaphorical applications.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of the 'ed' as 't' can be tricky for some learners.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, though homophones like 'chaste' exist.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

run follow catch fast after

Learn Next

pursue attain elusive ambition strive

Advanced

inexorable ephemeral methodical surveillance ciselé

Grammar to Know

Past Tense of Regular Verbs

Chase + ed = Chased.

Passive Voice with 'Was/Were'

The cat was chased by the dog.

Phrasal Verbs with 'Away'

He chased away the intruders.

Using 'After' for Direction

She chased after the rolling coin.

Past Perfect for Earlier Actions

He had chased the dream for years before he succeeded.

Examples by Level

The dog chased the cat.

Le chien a poursuivi le chat.

Simple past tense of 'chase'.

I chased my brother in the park.

J'ai couru après mon frère dans le parc.

Subject + chased + Object.

The children chased the ball.

Les enfants ont couru après le ballon.

Regular past tense verb.

She chased the butterfly.

Elle a poursuivi le papillon.

Used for a simple physical action.

We chased each other at school.

Nous nous sommes poursuivis à l'école.

Reciprocal action using 'each other'.

The bird was chased by the cat.

L'oiseau a été poursuivi par le chat.

Passive voice: was + chased.

He chased the balloon in the wind.

Il a couru après le ballon dans le vent.

Describing a pursuit of an object.

The puppy chased its own tail.

Le chiot a couru après sa propre queue.

Reflexive pursuit.

I chased the bus but I missed it.

J'ai couru après le bus mais je l'ai raté.

Shows effort to catch transportation.

The police chased the car down the street.

La police a poursuivi la voiture dans la rue.

Professional pursuit context.

He chased the thief and caught him.

Il a poursuivi le voleur et l'a attrapé.

Action and result.

The farmer chased the cows back into the field.

Le fermier a ramené les vaches dans le champ en les poursuivant.

Using pursuit to move animals.

We chased away the birds from the garden.

Nous avons chassé les oiseaux du jardin.

Phrasal verb: chased away.

The boy was chased by a big bee.

Le garçon a été poursuivi par une grosse abeille.

Passive voice with an insect subject.

They chased the ice cream truck.

Ils ont couru après le camion de glaces.

Common childhood experience.

She chased the dog out of the kitchen.

Elle a chassé le chien de la cuisine.

Using pursuit to remove something.

He chased his dream of being a pilot for years.

Il a poursuivi son rêve de devenir pilote pendant des années.

Metaphorical use for goals.

The company chased new customers all summer.

L'entreprise a recherché de nouveaux clients tout l'été.

Business context for seeking growth.

I've been chased by deadlines all week.

J'ai été poursuivi par des échéances toute la semaine.

Idiomatic use for time pressure.

The athlete chased the world record but failed.

L'athlète a tenté de battre le record du monde mais a échoué.

Pursuit of a specific achievement.

She chased after the truth about her family.

Elle a recherché la vérité sur sa famille.

Pursuit of information/knowledge.

The storm chased the tourists off the beach.

La tempête a chassé les touristes de la plage.

Nature as the subject of the chase.

He chased a higher salary by changing jobs.

Il a cherché un meilleur salaire en changeant d'emploi.

Pursuit of financial gain.

They chased the sunset across the desert.

Ils ont poursuivi le coucher du soleil à travers le désert.

Poetic/descriptive use.

The detective chased down every lead in the case.

Le détective a vérifié chaque piste dans l'affaire.

Phrasal verb: chased down (investigated).

Investors chased the tech stocks as prices rose.

Les investisseurs se sont rués sur les actions technologiques alors que les prix augmentaient.

Financial context: chasing the market.

He felt chased by the ghosts of his past mistakes.

Il se sentait poursuivi par les fantômes de ses erreurs passées.

Psychological/metaphorical use.

The politician was chased by reporters after the scandal.

Le politicien a été poursuivi par des journalistes après le scandale.

Passive voice in a media context.

She chased perfection in every painting she made.

Elle recherchait la perfection dans chaque tableau qu'elle réalisait.

Pursuit of an abstract ideal.

The hunter chased the stag through the deep snow.

Le chasseur a poursuivi le cerf dans la neige profonde.

Literal hunting context.

They chased the glory of a championship title.

Ils ont recherché la gloire d'un titre de champion.

Pursuit of status/achievement.

The silver tray was exquisitely chased with vine motifs.

Le plateau en argent était délicatement ciselé de motifs de vigne.

Technical artistic sense (metalworking).

The protagonist was chased by an inexorable sense of doom.

Le protagoniste était poursuivi par un sentiment de malheur inexorable.

High-level literary metaphorical use.

The legislation was chased through parliament in record time.

La législation a été adoptée par le parlement en un temps record.

Metaphorical: pushed through quickly.

He chased the ephemeral beauty of the northern lights.

Il a poursuivi la beauté éphémère des aurores boréales.

Pursuit of something fleeting.

The company chased market share at the expense of profit.

L'entreprise a recherché des parts de marché au détriment des bénéfices.

Strategic business context.

Shadows chased the light as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Les ombres ont poursuivi la lumière alors que le soleil descendait sous l'horizon.

Personification of natural elements.

The journalist chased down the source of the leak.

Le journaliste a traqué la source de la fuite.

Investigative phrasal verb.

She was chased by the relentless demands of her celebrity status.

Elle était poursuivie par les exigences incessantes de son statut de célébrité.

Social/psychological pressure.

The artisan chased the gold leaf onto the frame.

L'artisan a ciselé la feuille d'or sur le cadre.

Specific technical/artistic application.

The narrative is chased by a persistent melancholy that never fully lifts.

Le récit est poursuivi par une mélancolie persistante qui ne se dissipe jamais complètement.

Abstract literary analysis.

He chased the dragon of his addiction for many wasted years.

Il a poursuivi la chimère de son addiction pendant de nombreuses années gâchées.

Idiomatic/metaphorical (chasing the dragon).

The intricate patterns were chased into the bronze with masterly skill.

Les motifs complexes ont été ciselés dans le bronze avec une habileté magistrale.

Advanced technical metalworking term.

The philosopher chased the absolute truth, knowing it was ultimately unattainable.

Le philosophe a poursuivi la vérité absolue, sachant qu'elle était finalement inatteignable.

Intellectual/existential pursuit.

The economy was chased into a recession by rising interest rates.

L'économie a été poussée vers une récession par la hausse des taux d'intérêt.

Causal metaphorical use in economics.

The poet chased the rhythm of the waves in his latest verses.

Le poète a recherché le rythme des vagues dans ses derniers vers.

Artistic pursuit of form.

She felt chased by the ticking clock of her own mortality.

Elle se sentait poursuivie par l'horloge de sa propre mortalité.

Existential metaphorical use.

The suspect was chased through a labyrinth of legal loopholes.

Le suspect a été poursuivi à travers un labyrinthe de failles juridiques.

Metaphorical use in a legal context.

Common Collocations

chased a dream

chased by police

chased away

chased down

chased a deadline

chased for money

chased perfection

chased a lead

chased shadows

chased out

Common Phrases

chased after

— To run behind someone to catch them. It emphasizes the movement.

The boy chased after the rolling ball.

chased by the past

— Feeling troubled by previous mistakes or events. It is a common literary theme.

He felt chased by the past wherever he went.

chased a rainbow

— To pursue something that is impossible to reach. It implies a futile effort.

Stop chasing rainbows and find a real job.

chased into a corner

— To be forced into a difficult position with no escape. It is used in both physical and metaphorical senses.

The company was chased into a corner by its competitors.

chased for an answer

— To be repeatedly asked for a response. It implies pressure from others.

The manager was chased for an answer regarding the budget.

chased the dragon

— A slang term for using certain drugs, but also used metaphorically for chasing a dangerous high.

He spent his youth chasing the dragon of fame.

chased from the room

— To be forced to leave quickly due to pursuit or anger.

The children were chased from the room by their angry father.

chased a record

— To try to beat a previous best performance. Common in sports.

The swimmer chased the Olympic record.

chased success

— To work hard to become successful. It is a very common life pursuit.

She chased success until she finally reached the top.

chased by time

— Feeling the pressure of not having enough time. It implies a race against the clock.

We were chased by time to finish the project.

Often Confused With

chased vs chaste

Sounds the same but means pure or abstaining from sex.

chased vs followed

Followed is neutral; chased implies speed and intent to catch.

chased vs hunted

Hunted is more aggressive and often lethal.

Idioms & Expressions

"chase your own tail"

— To be busy but not achieving anything. It comes from the image of a dog spinning.

I've been chasing my own tail all day with these emails.

Informal

"chase a wild goose"

— To go on a search that is a waste of time. It is a classic English idiom.

Looking for that old document was like chasing a wild goose.

Neutral

"chase rainbows"

— To try to achieve something that is impossible. It implies being unrealistic.

He's just chasing rainbows if he thinks he'll win the lottery.

Informal

"cut to the chase"

— To get to the most important part of a story or discussion. It comes from old movies where the chase was the best part.

Let's cut to the chase: how much will this cost?

Neutral

"give chase"

— To start pursuing someone. It sounds more formal or dramatic.

The police gave chase when the car refused to stop.

Neutral/Formal

"chase the blues away"

— To do something to stop feeling sad. It is often used in songs.

A little music will help chase the blues away.

Informal

"chase after fame"

— To seek popularity and recognition. Often used with a negative connotation.

He spent his life chasing after fame but died lonely.

Neutral

"chase the almighty dollar"

— To be obsessed with making money. It is a critical idiom about materialism.

He's too busy chasing the almighty dollar to spend time with his kids.

Informal

"chase a dream"

— To follow one's ambitions. This is a very positive and common idiom.

She moved to New York to chase her dream of being a dancer.

Neutral

"chase one's shadow"

— To pursue something that isn't real or can't be caught. Similar to chasing rainbows.

You're just chasing your shadow if you think he'll change.

Literary

Easily Confused

chased vs chaste

They are homophones (sound identical).

Chased is about running; chaste is about moral or sexual purity.

He chased the bus (running). She led a chaste life (purity).

chased vs traced

Similar sound and both involve following.

Traced means to find the origin or draw over; chased means to run after.

He traced the map. He chased the dog.

chased vs paced

Rhyming words.

Paced means to walk back and forth; chased means to run after something.

He paced the room nervously. He chased the thief.

chased vs raced

Both involve high speed.

Raced is a competition of speed; chased is a pursuit of a specific target.

They raced to the finish line. The cat chased the mouse.

chased vs hunted

Both involve pursuit.

Hunting is a specific type of pursuit for food or sport; chasing is more general.

The tiger hunted the deer. The boy chased the ball.

Sentence Patterns

Subject + chased + Object.

The dog chased the ball.

Subject + chased + Object + away.

I chased the birds away.

Subject + chased + [Abstract Goal].

She chased her dreams.

Object + was chased by + Subject.

The thief was chased by the police.

Subject + chased down + [Information/Person].

The reporter chased down the story.

Subject + was chased by + [Metaphorical Concept].

He was chased by a sense of regret.

Subject + [Verb] + chased into + [State].

The market was chased into a frenzy.

Subject + was [Technical Adjective] + chased.

The silver was beautifully chased.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written English.

Common Mistakes

He chase the ball yesterday. → He chased the ball yesterday.
You must use the 'ed' ending for past tense actions.
The dog was chase by the cat. → The dog was chased by the cat.
In passive voice, you need the past participle 'chased'.
He lived a chased life. → He lived a chaste life.
Confusing 'chased' (pursued) with 'chaste' (pure).
I will chased my dreams. → I will chase my dreams.
Do not use the past tense 'chased' after 'will'. Use the base form 'chase'.
He chased behind the bus. → He chased the bus. / He chased after the bus.
'Chased behind' is redundant and awkward. Use 'chased' or 'chased after'.

Tips

Past Tense Usage

Always use 'chased' for actions that are already finished. If the action is happening now, use 'chasing'.

Synonym Choice

Use 'pursued' for career goals in a resume, but 'chased' in a personal story to sound more energetic.

The 'T' Sound

Practice saying 'chased' so it rhymes with 'fast'. Avoid saying 'chase-id'.

Active Verbs

'Chased' is a strong active verb. Use it to make your stories more exciting and dynamic.

Metaphorical Meaning

Don't be afraid to use 'chased' for dreams. It shows you are working hard for what you want.

Spelling Check

Double-check that you haven't written 'chaste' if you mean 'pursued'. They sound the same but look different.

Wild Goose Chase

If someone tells you a task is a 'wild goose chase', it means you are wasting your time.

Chased Down

Use 'chased down' when you finally find information or a person after a long search.

Identify the Target

When you hear 'chased', immediately look for the object (who or what is being followed).

Vivid Imagery

Combine 'chased' with adverbs like 'frantically' or 'relentlessly' for even more descriptive power.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'CHase' as a 'CHallenge' to 'CAtch' someone. The 'ed' at the end means the challenge is finishED.

Visual Association

Imagine a dog running after a fast-moving ball. The dog is 'chased' (past tense) the ball across the grass.

Word Web

Run Catch Dream Police Dog Goal Speed Follow

Challenge

Try to write three sentences: one about an animal, one about a car, and one about a life goal, all using the word 'chased'.

Word Origin

The word 'chased' comes from the Middle English 'chacen', which was borrowed from the Old French 'chacier'. This French word evolved from the Vulgar Latin 'captiare', meaning 'to try to catch' or 'to hunt'.

Original meaning: The original meaning was strictly related to hunting animals or driving them out of a particular area.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French > English.

Cultural Context

Be careful with 'chasing the dragon' as it has drug-related origins. Use 'pursuing a dream' in professional settings.

The term is used very frequently in sports and crime reporting in the US, UK, and Australia.

The movie 'The French Connection' is famous for its car chase. The song 'Chasing Cars' by Snow Patrol. The idiom 'Chasing the dragon' in literature about addiction.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Sports

chased the record
chased the ball
chased a lead
chased the championship

Crime/Police

chased the suspect
chased by police
chased through the streets
chased down the thief

Personal Goals

chased a dream
chased success
chased a career
chased happiness

Nature/Animals

chased the prey
chased away the birds
chased its tail
chased by a predator

Work/Time

chased a deadline
chased for a reply
chased by time
chased the market

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever chased a bus and actually caught it?"

"What is a dream you have chased for a long time?"

"Did you ever get chased by an animal when you were a child?"

"What's the most exciting chase scene you've ever seen in a movie?"

"Do you feel like you are being chased by deadlines right now?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you chased something and finally caught it. How did it feel?

Describe a goal you once chased but decided to give up on. Why did you stop?

Imagine you are a detective who just chased a suspect. Write the report.

Do you think people in modern society are too busy chasing money?

Write a story from the perspective of a dog that just chased a squirrel.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it can be metaphorical. You can chase a dream, a deadline, or even a romantic interest without literally running. It just implies intense effort toward a goal.

'Pursued' is more formal and often implies a more planned or long-term effort. 'Chased' is more common for physical, high-speed actions or personal dreams.

The 'ed' is pronounced as a 't' sound (/t/). It is not a separate syllable. It rhymes with 'waste' or 'past'.

Yes, in the context of metalworking. A 'chased' silver bowl is one decorated with hammered patterns. Otherwise, it is usually a verb.

It means to force someone or something to leave by running toward them or pursuing them. For example, 'I chased away the birds.'

It is a regular verb. The base form is 'chase', and you simply add 'd' to form the past tense and past participle.

Yes, 'chased after' is a very common and natural way to describe following someone quickly. It emphasizes the direction of the pursuit.

It means you are working very hard and fast to finish a task before the time limit. It implies you are behind schedule.

Yes, very often. For example: 'The suspect was chased by the police.' This is a common structure in news reports.

A 'chase scene' is a sequence in a movie or book where one character is pursuing another, often at high speed in cars or on foot.