they were pushed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were pushed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals were physically or metaphorically forced to move or act in a certain way. Example: "During the protest, they were pushed by the crowd, leading to a chaotic scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they were pushed back.

The New York Times

They were pushed.

The Guardian

Surely they were pushed into a corner.

Independent

Instead they were pushed off the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

In 1918 they were pushed aside.

The Guardian - Arts

"They look like they were pushed not jumping through choice.

Independent

TB: They wanted to jump before they were pushed.

The Washington Post

A heavy door opened and they were pushed inside.

The Guardian

They were pushed in, stripped naked and smelled the fumes.

The Guardian

They were pushed back by riot police using teargas.

The Guardian

From the beginning, they were pushed into our territory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "pushed" – it can imply both physical force and persuasive influence. Choose the word that best reflects the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "they were pushed" without specifying who 'they' refers to. A vague subject weakens the sentence and confuses the reader. Always make sure the subject is clearly defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were pushed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject ('they') underwent the action of being pushed. This construction highlights the external force or influence acting upon the subject, as shown by Ludwig AI in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were pushed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that describes a situation where a group experienced external force or influence. According to Ludwig AI, it appears most often in News & Media, followed by Science, and Wiki sources, indicating its versatility across different registers. When using the phrase, ensure that the subject is clearly defined. If the context requires a more specific connotation, alternatives such as "they were forced" or "they were compelled" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were forced

Indicates a lack of choice or volition.

they were shoved

Implies a rough and forceful push.

they were compelled

Focuses more on obligation or necessity rather than physical force.

they were pressured

Emphasizes psychological or social influence.

they were coerced

Highlights the use of threats or intimidation.

they were driven

Suggests an external force propelling them forward.

they were impelled

Highlights a strong internal or external motivation.

they were motivated

Implies encouragement or incentive to act.

they were influenced

Indicates a more subtle and indirect effect.

they were ushered

Suggests a guided or directed movement.

FAQs

How can I use "they were pushed" in a sentence?

The phrase "they were pushed" describes a situation where a group of people or things were moved or influenced by an external force. For example, "They were pushed back by the police" or "They were pushed to the limit by the demanding project".

What can I say instead of "they were pushed"?

You can use alternatives like "they were forced", "they were compelled", or "they were pressured" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they were push" instead of "they were pushed"?

No, "they were push" is grammatically incorrect. The correct passive form is "they were pushed", using the past participle of the verb 'push'.

What's the difference between "they were pushed" and "they pushed"?

"They were pushed" is in the passive voice, indicating that they received the action of being pushed. "They pushed" is in the active voice, meaning they performed the action of pushing.