put under pressure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put under pressure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone or something is being forced to act or function in a certain way. For example, "The government put teachers under pressure to follow the new curriculum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I think he was put under pressure".

Independent

"He has been put under pressure.

Independent

Instead, it was Howard who was being put under pressure.

The New York Times - Sports

Federer wins that service game without being put under pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

In a context of ever faster globalisation, citizens and their environment are clearly put under pressure.

Journal of Cleaner Production

"When it is put under pressure, Amazon reacts," Mr. Schneider said.

The New York Times

A former housing judge says she was put under pressure to use the same consultants.

The Economist

Hannover was immediately put under pressure when Franck Ribèry struck the crossbar in the fifth minute.

The New York Times - Sports

When they have been put under pressure they have handled it well.

Independent

"Ukrainians really don't like to be put under pressure," she said.

The New York Times

Vettel's error, though, has fuelled belief amongst his rivals he can crack if put under pressure.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put under pressure", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is applying the pressure and the entity experiencing it. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "put under pressure" passively without specifying the source of pressure. For example, instead of "Mistakes were put under pressure", clarify with "The team was put under pressure to avoid mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put under pressure" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is experiencing some form of coercion or stress from an external source. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. As Ludwig examples show, it's used to describe situations where individuals or entities are compelled to act in a certain way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put under pressure" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe situations where an entity is experiencing stress or coercion. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, functioning as a passive construction across diverse contexts. While primarily found in News & Media sources, its register remains generally neutral. When employing "put under pressure", clarify the source and subject of the pressure for enhanced clarity. Remember to avoid using the phrase in passive voice without a clear indicator of who or what is applying the pressure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pressured into

A more direct synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality and impact.

subjected to stress

Focuses on the imposition of stress, which is a more generic term for pressure.

placed in a difficult position

Emphasizes the challenging circumstances resulting from the pressure.

faced with demands

Highlights the demands that create the pressure.

coerced into

Indicates a form of forceful persuasion leading to the action.

forced to

Implies a lack of choice and a mandatory action due to pressure.

compelled to

Suggests a strong, irresistible force leading to an action.

pushed to the limit

Highlights the extreme nature of the pressure, reaching a critical point.

under duress

More formal, implying threats or unlawful constraints.

given no option

Emphasizes the lack of alternatives because of the pressure applied.

FAQs

How can I use "put under pressure" in a sentence?

You can use "put under pressure" to describe a situation where someone or something is being subjected to stress or coercion. For example, "The company was "put under pressure" to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "put under pressure"?

Alternatives include "subjected to stress", "placed in a difficult position", or "forced to", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "be put under pressure" or "being put under pressure"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, depending on the sentence structure. "Be put under pressure" is often used in passive constructions, while "being put under pressure" is used in continuous tenses.

What does it mean to be "put under pressure" in a negotiation?

In a negotiation, being "put under pressure" means that someone is attempting to force you into accepting unfavorable terms or making quick decisions through tactics designed to cause discomfort or a sense of urgency.