pushing me back

USAGE SUMMARY

"pushing me back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to indicate that someone is pushing the speaker forcibly away. For example: "The angry man pushed me back as I tried to leave the room".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Her love was like a wind pushing me back from the grave," he writes.

The New York Times - Books

Time pressure, Mr. Engels added, "keeps pushing me back to what's important".

The New York Times

The trivet did its work from there, pushing me back and down, into the pit that seemed to have been dug to suit me, complete with a rise in the dirt for my neck and a uniform pile just below my feet.

The New Yorker

"He said there's no time scale on pushing me back in".

BBC

I've found it hard to choose between Google Maps and Live Earth in the recent past, but this is pushing me back towards Google Maps….

TechCrunch

"I kept saying every time I got sick: 'This is it, I'm going to pull out,'" says Seebohm. "But every time I was in hospital I'd get so bored of being there I'd think: 'I'm going insane, I've got to go back to training.' So it actually kept pushing me back to the pool". Doctors are still trying to get to the bottom of what caused the illnesses.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

She pushed me back into the confessional.

The New Yorker

Nobody is going to push me back.

The New York Times - Sports

He had to push me back on.

The Guardian

A stray reference pushes me back to it.

The Guardian - Books

"When I fell off track, she would have pushed me back.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pushing me back", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's a literal physical action or a figurative representation of being hindered or forced to revert to a previous state. For clarity, add descriptive elements that contextualize the pushing force or the type of setback involved.

Common error

Avoid using "pushing me back" in contexts where a gentler or more nuanced phrase would be appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly aggressive or dramatic, especially when describing minor setbacks or disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pushing me back" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It indicates an action being performed on the speaker, causing them to move in a reverse direction, either literally or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of the phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pushing me back" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes the act of someone or something causing a retreat or setback. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceptionally common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, it's important to consider whether the context is literal or figurative and to ensure clarity in the type of force or setback involved. Alternatives like "forcing me to retreat" or "holding me back" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forcing me to retreat

Emphasizes the element of force causing someone to move backward.

causing me to recoil

Highlights a sudden, involuntary movement backward in response to something.

driving me away

Focuses on the act of being propelled away from something or someone.

making me step back

Highlights the act of taking a step backward, either literally or figuratively.

holding me back

Indicates a restrictive force preventing forward progress.

impeding my progress

Focuses on obstructing or hindering forward movement or development.

thwarting my advance

Emphasizes the frustration of preventing a planned or desired forward movement.

repelling me

Highlights a strong force causing someone to move away due to aversion or disgust.

drawing me backwards

Indicates a pull in the opposite direction, causing a backward movement.

setting me back

Focuses on delaying progress or causing a setback.

FAQs

How can I use "pushing me back" in a sentence?

You can use "pushing me back" to describe a physical action, such as "The crowd was pushing me back from the stage", or figuratively, like "The constant setbacks were pushing me back from achieving my goals".

What are some alternatives to "pushing me back"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "forcing me to retreat", "holding me back", or "impeding my progress".

Is "pushing me back" grammatically correct?

Yes, "pushing me back" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows standard verb phrase construction.

In what kind of situations is it appropriate to use "pushing me back"?

"Pushing me back" is appropriate in situations where there is a force, either physical or metaphorical, that is causing a retreat or preventing progress. It conveys a sense of resistance or opposition that is affecting the speaker's forward movement or advancement.