push the frontier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "push the frontier" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used as a metaphor to mean to achieve or discover something new or expand upon existing knowledge, abilities, or resources. For example: "We are determined to push the frontier of our understanding of climate change and find answers to combat its effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

From 1906, as commandant at Oran, he continued with persistence to push the frontier westward.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Space Technologies @ Cal STACC) is a group of passionate scientists who want to push the frontier of space research and the space industry.

University of California, Berkeley

We will invest strategically in science and engineering in order to continue to push the frontier of human knowledge and discovery," said President Salovey.

Yale University

The improved vehicle would push the frontier considerably deeper, to 4 miles, opening 99percentt of the ocean floor to exploration.

The New York Times

This commentary challenges future researchers to push the frontier beyond these settings by considering the potential for truly interactive studies that examine how auditor and client personnel respond to each other.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Measuring source-dependent properties of free neutrons over a large neutron energy range, with hand-portable instrumentation, continues to push the frontier of neutron detection instrumentation design and analysis techniques.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

We do need companies to aggressively push the frontiers of innovation.

MIT Technology Review

"It allows us to push the frontiers of collaboration without compromising the core activities of the main campus".

The New York Times

The Harvard Quantum Initiative lets us take full advantage of this to really push the frontiers of science and innovation.

Harvard University

"Research has been instrumental in our ability to understand these increased risks and continues to push the frontiers of the accuracy of these predictions," Mandli said.

Columbia University

This Institute supports high-risk, high-payoff projects to image and dynamically control nanoscale systems and push the frontiers of nanoscale science.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push the frontier" when you want to convey the idea of making progress in a specific field or area of knowledge. It implies innovation, exploration, and overcoming existing limitations.

Common error

While acceptable in formal and scientific writing, using "push the frontier" too frequently in casual conversation can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler phrases like "make progress" or "move forward" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push the frontier" functions as a verb phrase often used to describe the act of extending or surpassing current boundaries of knowledge, technology, or achievement. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "push the frontier" is a commonly used phrase that means to advance the limits of knowledge, innovation, or capability in a given field. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in academic, scientific, and news contexts. While it carries a tone of formality, it effectively communicates the idea of making significant progress beyond existing boundaries. When considering alternatives, "advance the frontier" or "break new ground" can offer similar meanings. When writing, be aware of overuse in informal settings and prefer simpler alternatives in those contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance the frontier

Replaces "push" with "advance", maintaining a similar sense of forward movement.

expand the frontier

Substitutes "push" with "expand", emphasizing the broadening of boundaries.

extend the frontier

Uses "extend" instead of "push", highlighting the lengthening or continuation of progress.

broaden the frontier

Replaces "push" with "broaden", focusing on widening the scope of knowledge or activity.

break new ground

Offers an idiomatic alternative, suggesting pioneering efforts.

pioneer new avenues

Shifts the focus to discovering and opening up new possibilities or methods.

advance the state of the art

Targets the advancement of current technological or scientific achievements.

drive innovation

Emphasizes the act of propelling forward new ideas and technologies.

propel progress

Focuses on accelerating forward movement and development.

lead the way

Suggests guiding or directing others toward new discoveries or advancements.

FAQs

How can I use "push the frontier" in a sentence?

You can use "push the frontier" to describe efforts to advance knowledge, technology, or capabilities in a particular field. For example, "Scientists are working tirelessly to "push the frontier" of cancer research".

What are some alternatives to "push the frontier"?

Some alternatives include "advance the frontier", "expand the frontier", or "break new ground" depending on the specific context.

Is "push the frontier" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "push the frontier" is generally more suitable for formal, academic, or technical writing. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

What does it mean to "push the frontier" in a particular field?

To "push the frontier" means to advance beyond the current limits of knowledge, technology, or achievement in that field, often through innovation and exploration.