push

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "push" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as encouraging someone to take action or to apply pressure in a situation. Example: "We need to push for a quicker resolution to this issue to meet our deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the 'black vote' votes it will clearly push someone over the line.

The Guardian - Sport

And the looming combination of tax increases and spending cuts looks easily large enough to push America back into recession.

The New York Times

"It's pretty horrific to push a mother to a point of saying, 'Well, if I need to sacrifice myself for my children, maybe that's what I'll do,' " she said.

The Guardian

In Britain, the new chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said on Monday that he would push through £6 billion ($8.65 billion) in spending cuts in an effort to convince skittish markets that the new government led by David Cameron was committed to fiscal restraint.

The New York Times

Women – and their agents – needed to push harder, she said.

The Guardian - Film

A Labour government would push for even tougher climate change targets to stop the world's temperature warming to a dangerous level, Caroline Flint has told the Guardian.

The Guardian

He said: "Some are saying we ought to proceed with the case... some are saying we must push through and get a date".

The Guardian

If the new government does not push the agenda for women's rights, it will have undermined the hopes of those who fought and died for a better Egypt.

The Guardian

The vanguard for this push is embodied by Pumphouse Point – a much talked about converted hydro facility on Lake St Clair that is catering to wilderness visitors who don't want to shiver in a tent amid the region's tempestuous weather.

The Guardian - Travel

A surprise drop in US GDP helped push the FTSE 100 down 16.08 points to 6323.11 after earlier signs that a new five year peak was on the cards.

The Guardian - Business

I wonder if we'll see a re-run of stage 6 on last year's Tirreno-Adriatico, when a 30% climb caused many pros to get off and push.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "push" in a business context, clarify the specific action being pushed for; for example, "push for a new marketing strategy" or "push to meet quarterly goals".

Common error

Avoid using "push" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Instead of saying "The idea was pushed", specify who pushed the idea for clarity and impact: "The manager pushed the idea".

Linguistic Context

The word "push" functions primarily as a verb or a noun. As a verb, it denotes applying force to move something. As a noun, it describes the act of applying force or a concerted effort. Ludwig examples show both usages in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Sport

13%

Business

10%

Less common in

Travel

2%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "push" is a versatile term used both as a verb and a noun, indicating the application of force or a concerted effort. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common in English, particularly in News & Media, Sport, and Business contexts. While its register is generally neutral, its specific meaning varies depending on the context. Related phrases include "press", "urge", and "promote", which offer nuanced alternatives. When using "push", it's crucial to be clear about the specific action or goal being pursued to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

press

Similar to "push", but can imply a more sustained or forceful effort.

urge

Implies a strong encouragement or persuasive effort.

promote

Focuses on advancing or advocating for something.

propel

Suggests a forceful movement forward.

drive

Implies directing or forcing something toward a goal.

shove

Indicates a sudden, forceful thrust.

encourage

Suggests inspiring or giving confidence to act.

advocate

Emphasizes public support or recommendation.

lobby

Focuses on influencing decisions, especially in politics.

exert

Emphasizes the application of effort or force.

FAQs

How to use "push" in a sentence?

The word "push" can be used as a verb or a noun. As a verb, it means to apply force to move something away from you. As a noun, it refers to the act of applying force or a concerted effort. For example: "I had to "push" the door open", or "The company made a final "push" to increase sales".

What can I say instead of "push"?

You can use alternatives like "press", "urge", or "promote" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "push for" or "push to"?

"Push for" is typically used when advocating or striving for something (e.g., "push for change"). "Push to" might be used when applying force to achieve a specific action (e.g., "push to open the door"), though it's less common than "push for" in abstract contexts.

What's the difference between "push" and "shove"?

"Push" generally implies a steady application of force, while "shove" suggests a sudden, forceful thrust. A "push" can be gentle or strong, but a "shove" usually implies more intensity and abruptness.