to push yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"to push yourself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean to challenge yourself to exceed your current capabilities in order to achieve or accomplish something. For example, "I know I can do better, so I'm going to push myself to work harder on my grades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You have to push yourself.

The New York Times

"You have to push yourself," he said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You need to push yourself hard to feel it.

The New York Times - Science

You have to push yourself through that door.

The New York Times - Style

"So it's very important to play to improve and to push yourself to the limit.

Independent

When there's no space between people, the polite thing is not to push yourself in there.

The New Yorker

Experienced athletes know that the only way to improve is to push yourself.

The New York Times

"The idea is to push yourself, to not start repeating yourself.

The New York Times

Because it's good to push yourself to the point of breaking?

The New York Times - Health

"You have to try to find things to motivate you and to push yourself harder".

BBC

Say 'Thank you.' You have to push yourself past your comfort zone".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone, use "to push yourself" to inspire them to exceed their comfort zone and achieve more. For example, "If you want to improve, you need "to push yourself" at each training session".

Common error

While it's beneficial "to push yourself", avoid pushing beyond your limits to the point of burnout or injury. Balance ambition with self-care, ensuring sustainable progress without compromising your well-being.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to push yourself" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It often modifies verbs, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

37%

News & Media

30%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to push yourself" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that serves as a powerful motivator for self-improvement and achievement. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and widely accepted. Whether you're looking to excel in your career, improve your fitness, or overcome personal challenges, understanding how "to push yourself" effectively is key. Remember to balance ambition with self-care, ensuring sustainable progress without compromising your well-being.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to challenge yourself

This alternative emphasizes the act of setting demanding goals.

to stretch your limits

This phrase highlights the act of extending beyond current boundaries.

to strive for more

This option focuses on continuous pursuit of improvement and achievement.

to exert yourself

This alternative emphasizes the physical or mental effort required.

to go the extra mile

This phrase suggests exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

to aim higher

This option conveys the idea of setting more ambitious goals.

to maximize your potential

This highlights the act of developing and utilizing your abilities to the fullest.

to test your boundaries

This focuses on exploring and identifying the limits of your abilities.

to better yourself

This is a general phrase for self-improvement and personal growth.

to reach for the stars

This suggests aiming for ambitious and seemingly unattainable goals.

FAQs

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

You can use "to push yourself" to encourage effort and self-improvement, like "You need "to push yourself" if you want to achieve your goals".

What does it mean "to push yourself"?

The expression "to push yourself" means to make an effort to exceed your current limits, challenge your abilities, and strive for greater achievement.

What can I say instead of "to push yourself"?

You can use alternatives like "to challenge yourself", "to stretch your limits", or "to strive for more" depending on the context.

When is it not appropriate "to push yourself"?

It's not appropriate "to push yourself" when you're injured, recovering from an illness, or experiencing burnout. Prioritize rest and recovery in such situations.