pushed back

USAGE SUMMARY

"pushed back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something being delayed or postponed. For example: Due to a shortage of resources, the project was pushed back by two weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Clara pushed back.

The New Yorker

Hensarling immediately pushed back.

The New York Times

Students pushed back.

The New York Times

Schools pushed back.

The New Yorker

G.E. pushed back.

The New York Times

Mr. DeMint pushed back.

The New York Times

Others have pushed back.

The Economist

My mom pushed back.

The New York Times

Messina politely pushed back.

The New York Times

My family pushed back.

The New York Times - Sports

The industry has pushed back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pushed back" to indicate a delay in a planned event or a reaction against an action or idea. Consider the context to ensure the meaning is clear, whether it's about resistance or rescheduling.

Common error

Avoid using "pushed back" when a more precise term like "rejected" or "disagreed" would better convey the intended meaning. Ensure the context supports the idea of either a physical pushback or a figurative resistance or postponement.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "pushed back" functions primarily to indicate resistance, opposition, or postponement. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from physical resistance to delaying deadlines. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pushed back" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express resistance, opposition, or postponement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also sees use in formal business and scientific contexts. While typically neutral in tone, consider the specific context to determine if more precise language would be beneficial. Remember that this phrasal verb indicates either a forceful reaction or delay depending on context. Be aware of potential misinterpretations by considering alternative words and synonyms in your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fought back

Highlights the active struggle against an opposing force.

struck back

Suggests a forceful reaction, often in response to aggression.

resisted

Implies active opposition to something, focusing on the act of defiance.

defended against

Emphasizes protecting oneself or something from an attack.

opposed

Indicates disagreement or disapproval, emphasizing a contrary opinion.

countered

Suggests a response aimed at neutralizing an action or argument.

rebutted

Focuses on disproving or arguing against a statement or claim.

postponed

Indicates delaying an event or activity to a later time.

delayed

Similar to postponed but can imply a shorter or less definite delay.

retaliated

Suggests acting in response to an attack or injury.

FAQs

How can I use "pushed back" in a sentence?

You can use "pushed back" to indicate resistance (e.g., "The team "fought back" against the new regulations") or postponement (e.g., "The deadline was "delayed" due to unforeseen circumstances").

What is a good alternative for "pushed back" when referring to resistance?

When referring to resistance, you could use alternatives like "opposed", "resisted", or "countered" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "pushed back" or "pushed back against"?

Both "pushed back" and "pushed back against" are correct, but "pushed back against" is more explicit and emphasizes the target of the resistance. "Pushed back" can sometimes imply postponement, so "pushed back against" clarifies the meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "pushed back" to mean postponed?

"Pushed back" can mean postponed when referring to events, deadlines, or schedules. For example, "The meeting was "postponed"" implies the meeting was delayed to a later date. Using it this way is common in project management and scheduling contexts.