push oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "push oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of exerting effort or striving to achieve personal goals or improve oneself. Example: "To succeed in this competitive environment, you must learn to push oneself beyond your limits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Work can be controlled: one can study harder, research deeper, push oneself further.

The New Yorker

In 24-hour racing, the goal is not to shave seconds from one's time while running toward a finite distance, but to push oneself a few miles more before the clock runs out.

The New York Times - Sports

The most Mills & Boon moment is when Edwina turns to free verse to describe her secret lover: 'I taught him to stretch out, keep stretching, go through barriers, push and push oneself, find oneself out in the stratosphere, float out there with your lover, together with laughter drifting past the stars.' Love him one moment, sell him down the river the next.

The Guardian - Books

One can only "push" oneself for so long until his or her willpower begins to fizzle out.

Forbes

These various legislative developments push oneself to question whether and to what extent the farmers' privilege should be recalibrated in order to maintain its initial rationale and ensure the survival of mass selection endeavours.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Setting the goal of completing the 26.2-mile race can therefore be a great way to push oneself into a healthier lifestyle.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Sometimes collective politics means simply looking out for the weakest rather than pushing oneself up to bellow with the strongest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now he keeps two books on his desk: the teachings of Epictetus, a Greek Stoic philosopher who espoused dispassion and self-discipline, and "The Strenuous Life," by Theodore Roosevelt, an ode to pushing oneself as hard as possible.

The New York Times

VINCE LOMBARDI The true way is the middle one, halfway between deserving a place and pushing oneself into it.

Forbes

We always want to see that the individual pushed oneself to broaden their skill set and is working toward developing the tools they'll need to be successful in our department and industry.

Forbes

Toughness is acquired through hard work, sacrifice and pushing oneself to the limit.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "push oneself", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of exerting effort to achieve a goal or overcome a challenge. Avoid overusing the phrase; vary your language with synonyms like "challenge oneself" or "strive for improvement" for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid framing "push oneself" as a constant, unsustainable practice. It's important to acknowledge the need for rest and recovery to prevent burnout and maintain long-term productivity. Instead, emphasize strategic effort and mindful self-management.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push oneself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. Ludwig examples show it describes the act of exerting effort on oneself, often to overcome limitations or achieve a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "push oneself" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that encourages self-improvement and exceeding personal limitations. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various writing contexts. While widely applicable, it's crucial to balance the message with the importance of rest and avoid overusing the phrase. Consider synonyms like "challenge oneself" or "exert oneself" for variety. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science, and its effective use lies in conveying a message of strategic effort and mindful self-management.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert oneself

This alternative suggests a more general application of effort, without necessarily implying exceeding personal limits.

challenge oneself

This implies setting a difficult task or goal for oneself, focusing on the challenge aspect.

stretch oneself

This suggests expanding one's capabilities or comfort zone, often implying learning and growth.

drive oneself

This implies a strong internal motivation to achieve a goal, emphasizing self-discipline and determination.

motivate oneself

Focuses on the act of providing oneself with the impetus and enthusiasm needed to achieve something.

encourage oneself

This emphasizes the act of providing oneself with the necessary confidence and belief to attempt something difficult.

spur oneself on

This suggests prompting oneself to greater effort or achievement, often in the face of difficulty.

go the extra mile

This idiom refers to doing more than what is expected or required, implying a significant additional effort.

exceed one's limits

This emphasizes surpassing established personal boundaries, focusing on achieving beyond perceived capabilities.

maximize one's potential

This focuses on fully developing one's abilities and talents, emphasizing long-term growth and achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "push oneself" effectively in a sentence?

To use "push oneself" effectively, ensure the context clearly indicates striving for improvement or exceeding limitations. For example: "To succeed in a marathon, one must consistently push oneself during training."

What are some alternatives to "push oneself"?

You can use alternatives like "challenge oneself", "exert oneself", or "stretch oneself" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "push oneself" rather than "motivate oneself"?

"Push oneself" implies exceeding current capabilities or enduring hardship, while "motivate oneself" focuses on generating the enthusiasm to start or continue a task. Use "push oneself" when the context involves overcoming resistance or going beyond comfort zones.

Is there a risk of overusing the phrase "push oneself" in writing?

Yes, overusing "push oneself" can make your writing repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "drive oneself" or "go the extra mile" to maintain reader engagement.