gave a push

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gave a push" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of providing encouragement or motivation to someone or something to take action or move forward. Example: "The coach gave a push to the team, urging them to give their best in the final minutes of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He gave a push to the deregulation movement which had already started under Mr Carter.

The Economist

Twitter also gave a push for UK users to register to vote in May.

The Guardian - Opinion

The fluctuations in currencies and interest rates after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system gave a push to demand.

The Economist

In the 1800s it was the spread of the steamship and refrigeration, the expansion of railroads and the invention of the telegraph that gave a push to globalisation.

The Economist

It's an ill wind, the saying goes, and the collapse into administration of delivery firm City Link gave a push to shares in Royal Mail.

The Guardian - Business

His plan gave a push to Democrats in Albany who had initially wanted a wage of $8.50 (Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last month called for an $8.75 minimum as of July).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

That is likely to give a push to storage capacity and both more and larger interconnectors.

The Economist

"This is going to give a push to the Syrian people to continue," he said.

The New York Times

The president will use the meetings to give a push to the so-called proximity talks.

The New York Times

Mr. Arafat said it had given "a push to the peace process".

The New York Times

Therapies derived from stem cells, called regenerative medicine, are given a push.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gave a push" when you want to emphasize a contribution or action that encouraged progress, but wasn't necessarily the sole cause. It implies a supporting role.

Common error

Avoid using "gave a push" when describing actions that were the primary drivers of an outcome. This phrase suggests a supporting role, not a leading one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gave a push" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate in a sentence. It indicates the action of providing encouragement, assistance, or impetus to something or someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gave a push" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe providing encouragement or assistance to something or someone, according to Ludwig. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. While it's a versatile phrase, it's important to use it accurately, ensuring that the action described truly reflects a supporting role rather than the primary driver of an outcome. Alternatives such as "provided an impetus" or "offered a boost" can be considered based on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encouraged progress

This phrase focuses on inspiring or motivating progress.

offered a boost

This option is a more general term for helping something progress, suitable for various contexts.

contributed momentum

This conveys the idea of adding to the existing forward motion or energy.

provided an impetus

This alternative suggests a more formal and significant contribution, often implying a starting force.

stimulated progress

This option suggests an increase in activity or momentum towards a goal.

facilitated advancement

This suggests making progress easier or more likely to happen.

fostered advancement

This implies nurturing and supporting the growth or progress of something.

lent a hand

This phrase indicates direct assistance, often in a tangible or practical way.

catalyzed development

This phrase is more specific to initiating or accelerating a development or change.

played a part

This is a more understated way of saying someone contributed to an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "gave a push" in a sentence?

You can use "gave a push" to describe an action that provided encouragement or assistance to something or someone. For example, "The new policy "gave a push" to economic growth".

What are some alternatives to "gave a push"?

Some alternatives to "gave a push" include "provided an impetus", "offered a boost", or "lent a hand", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "gave a push" or "provided a boost"?

Both "gave a push" and "provided a boost" are correct, but "provided a boost" may suggest a more significant or impactful contribution than "gave a push". Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of impact you want to convey.

What's the difference between "gave a push" and "played a part"?

"Gave a push" implies active encouragement or assistance, while "played a part" simply means being involved or contributing in some way, without necessarily implying active support.