pushing to complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pushing to complete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort or urgency to finish a task or project. Example: "The team is pushing to complete the project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The airline is pushing to complete $200 million in additional concessions before it filed a reorganization plan in bankruptcy court.

The New York Times

The staff of the bureau's Branch of Acknowledgment and Research clashed with Mr. Anderson and other top bureau officials who were pushing to complete tribal recognition decisions.

The New York Times

But the F.B.I. was pushing to complete the background checks, he said, and had "no interest in detaining people who are not a threat to us".

The New York Times

The state's annual legislative session had been scheduled to end on Monday, and lawmakers are now pushing to complete their work and go home.

The New York Times

The rapid timing is a victory for Continental's chief, Jeffery A. Smisek, who will run the merged company, and who has been pushing to complete the deal quickly.

The New York Times

Some analysts said there were clear indications of a division at the top of Tyson, with Don Tyson stepping in to try to block what seemed like a costly and difficult merger that his son was pushing to complete.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Like other companies before it, Barnes & Noble is being pushed to complete a deal, any deal.

The New York Times

To become independent, Ms. Marrero, who never graduated from high school, has pushed to complete both G.E.D. and job-placement programs.

The New York Times

As Thursday's 4 p.m. deadline approached, the Red Sox pushed to complete a three-team trade with the Florida Marlins and the Pirates, or the Dodgers and the Pirates.

The New York Times

The Palace manager confirmed he had tried to persuade Bolasie to remain at the club, only for the DR Congo international to push to complete a £25m move to Everton.

The Guardian - Sport

— As the Department of Homeland Security pushes to complete 670 miles of fencing along the Mexican border by the end of this year, it is confronting the sharpest resistance yet while conceding that physical barriers alone do not stop illegal crossings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that "pushing to complete" is action-oriented. If you want to emphasize the goal itself, consider using "aiming for completion" or "focused on finishing".

Common error

While "pushing to complete" is generally acceptable, it can sound slightly informal in highly formal or academic writing. In these contexts, consider alternatives like "striving to finalize" or "endeavoring to finish" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pushing to complete" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing effort or action directed towards finalizing or finishing a task or project. It suggests a proactive approach to ensure the completion of something, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pushing to complete" is a useful verb phrase that effectively conveys the act of striving to finalize something. It’s grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in news and media, but may be slightly informal for highly formal or academic contexts. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is widely recognized and understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing focused effort towards finishing a task. Consider alternatives like "striving to finalize" for a more formal tone or when more nuanced meaning is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

striving to finalize

Indicates a strong effort toward finalizing something, with a slightly more formal tone.

endeavoring to finish

A more formal alternative suggesting a serious and determined attempt to finish.

working towards completion

Focuses on the effort being directed toward reaching the completed state of something.

aiming to conclude

Emphasizes the intention to bring something to a conclusion or end.

hustling to wrap up

An informal alternative that suggests a quick and energetic effort to finish something.

racing to conclude

Suggests a sense of urgency and speed in finishing something.

pressing for closure

Highlights the act of urging or advocating for something to be finalized or closed.

determined to accomplish

Focuses on a strong decision to see something through to accomplishment.

making strides toward ending

Indicates progress being made in the direction of ending or finalizing something.

proceeding to execute

A more formal alternative emphasizing the continuation of a plan or process.

FAQs

How can I use "pushing to complete" in a sentence?

You can use "pushing to complete" to describe efforts to finalize tasks, such as, "The team is "pushing to complete" the project before the deadline" or "The company is "pushing to complete" the merger by the end of the year".

What are some alternatives to "pushing to complete"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "striving to finalize", "working towards completion", or "endeavoring to finish".

Is "pushing to complete" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "pushing to complete" may sound slightly informal in highly formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "striving to finalize" or "endeavoring to finish" for a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "pushing to complete" and "aiming to complete"?

"Pushing to complete" implies a more active and urgent effort, whereas "aiming to complete" simply indicates the goal or intention. "The team is "pushing to complete" the project" suggests they are working hard and fast, while "The team is "aiming to complete" the project" focuses on their objective.