have been pushed

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been pushed' is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it in a sentence such as: Upon arrival, the boxes of supplies have been pushed to the side of the room, awaiting further instructions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The technological boundaries have been pushed back".

The New York Times

Currencies have been pushed around too.

The Economist

Many farmers have been pushed into debt.

The Guardian

This process could have been pushed further.

The New York Times

Some have been pushed off by robbers.

The Guardian

We have been pushed too hard".

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have been pushed backward by these people".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Current methods have been pushed to the limits of their potential.

Plosone

Now they have been pushed inland, away from the most desirable spots.

The Economist

The athlete's images and brands have been pushed.

Forbes

Farmland values have been pushed up by several factors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been pushed", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the pushing, either explicitly or implicitly. For example, 'Prices have been pushed up by rising fuel costs' clarifies the cause of the increase.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the subject of the sentence clearly receives the action. For instance, instead of just stating 'Changes have been pushed', specify 'Changes have been pushed by the new management' to clarify the agent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been pushed" functions as the passive voice of the verb "push", indicating that the subject has received the action of being moved or influenced. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been pushed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a situation where something or someone has been influenced or moved by an external force. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It's commonly found in News & Media, implying a neutral register, but can be used across various contexts. When using this phrase, clarity about the agent doing the pushing is key to avoiding ambiguity. Related phrases include "have been compelled", "have been driven", and "have been pressured", each adding subtle differences in meaning. The high frequency and versatile nature of "have been pushed" make it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been pressured

This highlights the external influence and stress applied to someone or something to achieve a specific outcome.

have been influenced

This indicates that something has been affected or changed by external factors.

have been driven

This indicates a strong force causing movement or change, often with a sense of inevitability.

have been compelled

This alternative suggests a forced action or obligation, emphasizing the pressure exerted on someone or something.

have been urged

This suggests a strong recommendation or encouragement to take a particular action.

have been displaced

This focuses on the act of being moved from a position or location, often against one's will.

have been impelled

Similar to compelled but suggests a more internal or instinctive driving force.

have been instigated

Implies the start or encouragement of something, often with a negative connotation.

have been advanced

This suggests progress or promotion, often in a career or project.

have been motivated

This emphasizes the internal or external factors that incite action or behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "have been pushed" in a sentence?

The phrase "have been pushed" indicates that something or someone has been moved or influenced by an external force. For example, "The technological boundaries "have been pushed back"" or "Many farmers "have been pushed into debt"."

What are some alternatives to "have been pushed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "have been compelled", "have been driven", or "have been pressured". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "push"?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on the focus of your sentence. Active voice (e.g., 'Rising costs pushed prices up') emphasizes the cause, while passive voice (e.g., 'Prices "have been pushed up" by rising costs') emphasizes the effect.

What does it mean when something is described as having "been pushed to the limit"?

This phrase means that something has reached the maximum extent or capacity it can handle. For example, "Aid organizations "have been pushed to their limits" in 2014" suggests they could not handle any more demands.