it was pushed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was pushed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action where something was physically or metaphorically moved or urged forward by an external force. Example: "The door was stuck, but with a little effort, it was pushed open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This year, its 92nd, it was pushed forward to the second week in July.

The New York Times - Travel

So the countdown clock on the big screen was reset, its visual of a rising sun rebooted so it was pushed back down below the horizon.

Los Angeles Times

The most popular hypothesis had been that it was pushed out of whack by a collision early in its history.

Science Magazine

Somehow, it was pushed away.

Independent

It was pushed.

The Guardian - Music

And it was pushed by the authorities, on flimsy evidence.

The Guardian - Music

It was pushed back to yesterday afternoon, and it was played despite the continuing severe conditions.

The New York Times - Sports

It was pushed around aplenty in the preseason but has an excellent mentor in Bill Muir.

The New York Times - Sports

A young woman, longing to do it, was pushed forward by her boyfriend.

The New York Times - Arts

It was pushed hard politically by Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, and construction began in 1999.

The New York Times

The wheelchair, with Mr. Carpenter strapped in it, was pushed about four miles, the police said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was pushed", ensure the context clearly indicates the agent or force responsible for the pushing action. This clarity prevents ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Be careful not to use "it was pushed" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure the reader knows what "it" refers to in the sentence to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was pushed" functions as a passive construction. This grammatical structure shifts the focus from the actor performing the action to the recipient of the action. Ludwig shows that "it was pushed" commonly appears in contexts where the emphasis is on what happened to 'it' rather than who or what did the pushing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was pushed" is a versatile passive construction that conveys the action of being subjected to force or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, especially in news, science, and general contexts. While simple, ensuring clarity in pronoun reference and choosing the right alternative to suit the intended intensity are crucial. The analysis highlights its broad applicability, making it a valuable phrase in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was propelled

This suggests a forceful movement forward.

it was urged

Implies encouragement or prompting to move or act.

it was driven

Suggests a strong force causing movement or a shift in direction.

it was compelled

Highlights the action being forced upon something or someone.

it was shifted

Emphasizes a change in position or state.

it was advanced

Focuses on the progression or promotion of something.

it was promoted

Signifies the act of furthering something's success or acceptance.

it was influenced

Highlights the impact on something without necessarily implying physical movement.

it was motivated

Emphasizes the reason or incentive behind an action.

it was incentivized

Highlights an action or behavior that is encouraged with some kind of reward.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was pushed" to sound more active?

To make it more active, consider constructions like "someone pushed it", "they pushed it", or "the force pushed it" depending on the context. For example, instead of "it was pushed back", you could say "they pushed it back".

What's the difference between "it was pushed" and "it was shoved"?

"It was pushed" suggests a more controlled movement, while "it was shoved" implies a rougher, more forceful action. Choose the word that best reflects the intensity of the movement.

Is "it was pushed" formal or informal?

"It was pushed" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality often depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.

What does "it was pushed through" mean?

"It was pushed through" often means that something was approved or implemented despite opposition or obstacles. For instance, "the bill was pushed through congress" means the bill was approved despite difficulties.