pounds on the door

USAGE SUMMARY

"pounds on the door" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone physically pounding on a door. For example, "John was so angry he pounded on the door until someone answered it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Faith, "frightened by her fear of me," pounds on the door of her old apartment until she's let in.

The New Yorker

The no-reading-in-the-bathroom rule is vigorously enforced by the twins' teenage sister, who routinely pounds on the door yelling, "I know what you're doing in there!" We all know, since they stash their comic books and copies of "Peter Pan" and "Sounder" behind the wastepaper basket.

The New York Times

“Breakfast!” A young woman pounds on the door.

Forbes

Josh pounds on the door, yelling Fire! Fire!

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Why not linger in your bubble bath if the water's still warm and no one's pounding on the door?

Huffington Post

"Buyers are pounding on the door," asserts one Disney executive.

Forbes

"My cellmate… started pounding on the door crying for help," he claimed, "but no-one came". Magnitsky, 37, was taken to a detention hospital.

BBC

Somebody started pounding on the door: "Hey!

The New Yorker

She pounded on the door.

The New York Times - Sports

She rushed over and pounded on the door.

The New Yorker

After pounding on the door, they broke it down.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pounds on the door" to vividly describe a scene where someone is urgently or forcefully trying to get attention or entry.

Common error

While "pounds on the door" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more neutral phrases like "knocks loudly" or "raps urgently" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pounds on the door" functions as a verb phrase describing a physical action. It vividly portrays someone hitting a door with force, typically to gain attention or entry. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pounds on the door" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood phrase used to describe the forceful action of hitting a door. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for descriptive writing and conveys a sense of urgency or intensity. While predominantly found in News & Media, it's essential to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase, opting for more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings. The related phrases provide several options to subtly adjust the meaning and emphasis of the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bangs on the door

Replaces "pounds" with "bangs", indicating a loud, forceful hitting of the door.

knocks loudly on the door

Specifies that the knocking is loud, emphasizing the intensity.

hammers on the door

Uses "hammers" to suggest a more violent and persistent action.

beats on the door

Implies a repetitive and forceful hitting of the door.

thumps on the door

Suggests a heavy, muffled sound as a result of hitting the door.

rattles the door

Focuses on the shaking or vibrating effect caused by the forceful action.

assaults the door

Emphasizes the aggressive nature of the action towards the door.

smashes against the door

Implies a single, very forceful impact against the door.

kicks the door

Involves using the foot to forcefully hit the door.

thrashes against the door

Depicts a wild and uncontrolled forceful movement against the door.

FAQs

What does "pounds on the door" mean?

The phrase "pounds on the door" describes the action of hitting a door repeatedly and forcefully, usually to get someone's attention or to gain entry quickly.

Is "pounds on the door" grammatically correct?

Yes, "pounds on the door" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It's a standard way to describe the action of forcefully hitting a door.

What can I say instead of "pounds on the door"?

You can use alternatives like "bangs on the door", "knocks loudly on the door", or "hammers on the door" depending on the intensity you want to convey.

In what context should I use "pounds on the door"?

Use "pounds on the door" when you want to emphasize the urgency or forcefulness of someone trying to get in. It's suitable for descriptive writing and informal communication.