he pushed himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he pushed himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone exerting effort or striving to achieve a goal, often in a physical or mental context. Example: "During the marathon, he pushed himself to run faster than he ever had before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

White believed that all of his photographs were self-portraits; as Martineau put it, "he pushed himself to live what he called a life in photography".

The New Yorker

"He pushed himself, I thought.

The New York Times - Sports

He pushed himself very hard.

The Guardian - Film

And he pushed himself to study harder.

The New York Times

He pushed himself forward in a very Toad-like manner.

The New York Times

"This guy was tired and he pushed himself a lot".

The New York Times - Sports

He was stubborn and he pushed himself to the end.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

He pushes himself.

The New York Times - Sports

He pushes himself to physical extremity.

The Guardian

How much more can he push himself to do this?

The New York Times

At sixty-six, he remains trim, and he pushes himself relentlessly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he pushed himself" to clearly convey dedication and hard work in achieving a goal or overcoming obstacles.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "he pushed himself" in close proximity within a narrative. Vary your language with synonyms like "he challenged himself" or "he exerted himself" to maintain reader engagement and stylistic flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he pushed himself" functions as a verb phrase, where "pushed" is the main verb in the past tense and "himself" is a reflexive pronoun. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he pushed himself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes an individual's determined effort to achieve a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s commonly found in news and media but applicable across various contexts. Alternatives like "he challenged himself" or "he exerted himself" can add nuance, but the core meaning remains consistent: a display of significant personal effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he challenged himself

Focuses on setting difficult tasks or goals.

he exerted himself

Emphasizes the physical or mental effort expended.

he strained himself

Suggests pushing beyond normal limits, potentially to a harmful degree.

he taxed himself

Highlights the burden or demand placed on one's resources or abilities.

he drove himself

Implies a strong will and determination to reach a goal.

he stretched himself

Indicates expanding one's capabilities or comfort zone.

he went the extra mile

Signifies exceeding expectations or putting in additional effort.

he gave it his all

Focuses on the completeness of the effort invested.

he put his shoulder to the wheel

Emphasizes diligent and sustained effort.

he dug deep

Suggests tapping into inner reserves of strength or resilience.

FAQs

How can I use "he pushed himself" in a sentence?

The phrase "he pushed himself" can be used to describe someone exerting extra effort to achieve a goal. For example: "Despite the pain, "he pushed himself" to finish the race".

What are some alternatives to saying "he pushed himself"?

You can use alternatives like "he challenged himself", "he exerted himself", or "he drove himself" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he pushed himself"?

Yes, the phrase "he pushed himself" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-object structure in English.

What does it mean when someone says "he pushed himself too hard"?

Saying "he pushed himself too hard" implies that someone exerted excessive effort, potentially leading to negative consequences such as injury or burnout. It suggests a lack of moderation in their pursuit.