being pushed over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being pushed over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is being overwhelmed or forced to yield to pressure or influence. Example: "After months of constant demands from her boss, she felt like she was being pushed over the edge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Relatives of a man who died after being pushed over by a police officer during last year's G20 protests have criticised delays in the inquiry while laying flowers at the spot where he died.

Independent

In the other two cases, an elephant died after being pushed over by another elephant, and an elephant escaped into the zoo during business hours and slightly injured a child.

The New York Times

His head has been shaved because he was tearing his hair out, and he has a fractured wrist after being pushed over by another inpatient while playing on the Nintendo Wii.

The Guardian - Opinion

Diego Godin goes down holding his knee after being pushed over by Luka Modric.

BBC

After years of being pushed over, it seems the publishers are negotiating harder than usual this time.

TechCrunch

Their first goal came in the seventh minute when Ballon D'Or winner Ronaldo surged into the left-hand side of the area before being pushed over by Manquillo.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

As the ball was pushed over, he led the huuuuuy.

The Guardian - Sport

The Spain international's first attempt from 25 yards was pushed over by Pickford.

The Guardian - Sport

A Matmour strike from 25 yards out was pushed over by Howard just before the interval.

The Guardian - Sport

One protester claimed she was pushed over by officers, who were "punching people indiscriminately".

The Guardian

I was pushed over and there was a whole heap of people that fell on top of me," he said.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being pushed over" to describe situations where someone or something is physically or metaphorically forced to yield or fall. Ensure the context clearly indicates the agent or cause of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "being pushed over" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The agreement was being pushed over by the opposition", consider "The opposition was overturning the agreement."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being pushed over" functions as a passive construction, typically as part of a verb phrase. It describes the state of a subject undergoing the action of being toppled or overcome. This is confirmed by Ludwig, highlighting its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being pushed over" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe a state of imbalance or yielding under external force. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, with examples showcasing its presence in diverse contexts ranging from news reports to academic discussions. The phrase is most frequently encountered in the News & Media, and less common in business or encyclopedic writing. Its neutral register makes it adaptable across different levels of formality. Remember to use it actively to add more impact and avoid using it where there is a continuous process, instead of a singular event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being knocked down

Focuses on the physical act of being brought to the ground.

being toppled

Emphasizes the loss of balance and falling over.

being overthrown

Implies a forceful removal from a position or power.

being bulldozed

Suggests being aggressively overwhelmed or disregarded.

being steamrolled

Similar to bulldozed, but with an emphasis on unstoppable force.

being overwhelmed

Highlights the feeling of being overcome by something.

being defeated

Focuses on the loss in a struggle or competition.

being suppressed

Implies being held back or prevented from progressing.

being marginalized

Highlights being pushed to the edge or periphery.

being undermined

Focuses on the weakening of a position or foundation.

FAQs

How can I use "being pushed over" in a sentence?

You can use "being pushed over" to describe a physical or metaphorical act of someone or something falling or yielding due to external force. For example, "The domino effect started after the first one was "pushed over"".

What are some alternatives to "being pushed over"?

Alternatives include "being knocked down", "being toppled", or "being overwhelmed", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "being pushed over"?

Yes, "being pushed over" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction using the present participle "being" and the past participle "pushed", indicating an action being done to someone or something.

What's the difference between "being pushed over" and "being pushed around"?

"Being pushed over" implies a more definitive action of falling or yielding, while "being pushed around" suggests repeated bullying or mistreatment without necessarily yielding completely. The former is more of a singular event, the latter is a continuous process.