he pushes himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he pushes himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who exerts effort or strives to achieve personal goals, often in a challenging context. Example: "In order to improve his performance, he pushes himself to train harder every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

He pushes himself.

The New York Times - Sports

He pushes himself to physical extremity.

The Guardian

Not remotely as hard as he pushes himself.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is him if he pushes himself to be what he was.

The Guardian - Film

Lord Hutton says that, if he pushes himself, he can finish his report by November.

The Guardian

"He pushes himself harder than I or any director could ever push," Gilroy says.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 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

He was stubborn and he pushed himself to the end.

The New Yorker

And he pushed himself to study harder.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he pushes himself" to describe someone who consistently works hard and overcomes obstacles to achieve their goals. It's effective for illustrating determination and a strong work ethic.

Common error

Avoid using "he pushes himself" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "he strives", "he challenges himself", or other alternatives to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he pushes himself" functions as a statement about a subject's dedication and effort. Ludwig examples show it describing athletes, artists, and professionals who strive for improvement. It reflects agency and personal drive.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Film

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he pushes himself" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone who consistently strives for improvement and exerts significant effort. Ludwig's examples from various reputable sources, like the New York Times and The Guardian, confirm its wide acceptance and neutral register. The provided analysis, writing guidance, and related phrases aim to assist in its effective and varied usage. The phrase indicates a positive trait of self-motivation and is considered correct to use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he challenges himself

Highlights the act of setting difficult tasks or goals.

he stretches himself

Implies expanding one's capabilities or boundaries.

he gives it his all

Emphasizes total commitment and effort.

he strives

Focuses on continuous effort and ambition.

he perseveres

Focuses on continuing despite difficulties or obstacles.

he exerts himself

Emphasizes physical or mental effort expended.

he maximizes his potential

Focuses on achieving the highest possible level of performance.

he goes the extra mile

Indicates exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

he aims high

Highlights the setting of ambitious goals.

he is ambitious

Highlights the desire for success and achievement.

FAQs

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

Use "he pushes himself" to describe someone who consistently works hard and overcomes obstacles. For example, "Despite the setbacks, "he pushes himself" to improve his skills every day".

What can I say instead of "he pushes himself"?

You can use alternatives like "he strives", "he exerts himself", or "he challenges himself" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "he push himself" instead of "he pushes himself"?

No, "he push himself" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "he pushes himself", as the verb 'push' requires the -s ending in the third-person singular present tense.

What's the difference between "he pushes himself" and "he forces himself"?

"He pushes himself" suggests a voluntary and motivated effort, whereas "he forces himself" implies doing something against one's will or natural inclination.