pursuant to

Meaning

1. 1prepositionfixed phraseformallegal

   In line with or as required by a rule, law, contract or instruction.

   Grammar: Followed by a noun: pursuant to Section 4. It is formal and found mostly in legal or official writing.

   Patterns

   • pursuant to something

   The notice was sent pursuant to the terms of the lease.

   Pursuant to company policy, all expenses must be approved in advance.

   The records were released pursuant to a court order.

Common combinations

pursuant to the agreement

Payment is due pursuant to the agreement.

pursuant to section

The case was filed pursuant to Section 12 of the act.

pursuant to a court order

He was released pursuant to a court order.

pursuant to the contract

The goods were delivered pursuant to the contract.

pursuant to regulations

The permit was issued pursuant to regulations.

Synonyms and how they differ

in accordance with

In accordance with is slightly less stiff and widely understood, while pursuant to feels more legal.

under

Under is the short everyday choice, as in under the rules, and sounds plainer than pursuant to.

according to

According to often reports what a source says, while pursuant to shows that an action follows a rule.

as required by

As required by is clear plain English that spells out the obligation which pursuant to leaves implicit.

Opposites

Word family

pursuant adjective

rare formal word meaning following or in agreement

pursue verb

to follow or go after something

pursuit noun

the act of chasing or seeking something

pursuance noun

the carrying out of a plan or duty, as in in pursuance of

Commonly confused: pursuant to or pursuance?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pursuant to”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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