to push harder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to push harder" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when encouraging someone to exert more effort or determination in a task or situation. Example: "If we want to meet our deadline, we need to push harder in the final stages of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Washington will need to push harder.

The New York Times

Still, she wanted to push harder.

The New York Times

This has left schools to push harder.

The New York Times

So there's a need to push harder.

The Guardian

My approach is to push harder.

Harvard Business Review

Ambitions to push harder are also softening.

The New York Times - Tech

Women – and their agents – needed to push harder, she said.

The Guardian - Film

But she always wanted us to push harder, strive higher.

The New York Times

"We've got to push harder; we've got to do better.

The New York Times - Sports

Shareholders, meanwhile, will have to decide whether they need to push harder for more power.

The Economist

The decision may galvanize reformers to push harder for public financing of elections.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid repetition, vary your language with synonyms like "strive more" or "intensify efforts" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Common error

While "to push harder" is versatile, avoid overusing it in casual conversations. In very informal settings, consider simpler alternatives like "try harder" or more idiomatic expressions to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to push harder" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase. It typically acts as an adverbial modifier, indicating the manner in which an action should be performed. Ludwig provides many examples of usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to push harder" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase that signifies the need for increased effort or determination. Ludwig AI highlights that it is commonly used across a variety of contexts, especially in News & Media. To avoid redundancy, consider using synonyms such as "to strive more" or "to try harder". While versatile, it's best to consider the formality of the setting to determine the appropriateness of the phrase. Overall, it is a reliable and clear way to encourage greater exertion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to try harder

A more general and common way of expressing increased effort.

to put more energy into

Highlights the investment of energy and enthusiasm into a task.

to strive more

Focuses on the act of striving itself, emphasizing effort over specific action.

to intensify efforts

Focuses on making current efforts stronger or more concentrated.

to exert oneself further

Emphasizes personal exertion and effort in a more formal tone.

to amplify effort

Focuses on increasing or magnifying the effort being applied.

to increase momentum

Suggests building upon existing progress with added force.

to accelerate progress

Emphasizes speeding up advancement or improvement through greater effort.

to give it your all

Idiomatic expression indicating maximum effort and commitment.

to go the extra mile

Idiomatic expression signifying exceeding expectations or requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "to push harder" in a sentence?

You can use "to push harder" to emphasize the need for increased effort. For example, "If we want to meet the deadline, we need "to push harder"."

What are some alternatives to "to push harder"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "to strive more", "to try harder", or "to intensify efforts" instead of "to push harder".

Is it always appropriate to use "to push harder" in professional communication?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience and the specific context. In very formal settings, "to exert oneself further" might be a more suitable alternative.

What's the difference between "to push harder" and "to work harder"?

"To work harder" generally refers to increasing the amount of work done. "To push harder" implies increasing the intensity or effort applied, often when facing resistance or a challenging goal. They are similar, but emphasize different aspects of effort.