Direct Answer
Press sb for sth means to strongly ask someone for information, help, or a decision. It is used when you want to get an answer or action from someone under pressure.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Press sb for sth (press somebody for something)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To ask someone firmly or repeatedly for something
Meaning in Detail
The Press sb for sth meaning is to ask someone firmly or repeatedly to give you something, usually information, a decision, or help. It suggests a sense of urgency or insistence. For example, if you press your boss for a pay raise, you keep asking until you get a clear answer. This phrase is often used in conversations where one person wants another to respond quickly or clearly.
Structure (Grammar Rules)
Press sb for sth is a transitive phrasal verb with a fixed structure:
- Press + sb (somebody) + for + sth (something)
It is inseparable, meaning you cannot place the object between โpressโ and โforโ.
Examples of correct patterns:
- Press someone for an answer
- Press the manager for details
Examples
Here are some natural Press sb for sth in a sentence examples:
- She pressed him for an explanation about the missing report.
- The reporters pressed the politician for a clear statement.
- We need to press the supplier for the delivery date.
- He pressed his parents for permission to study abroad.
- The teacher pressed the student for the homework answers.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I pressed for him the answer.
- Correct: I pressed him for the answer.
- Incorrect: She pressed him about the details.
- Correct: She pressed him for the details.
Remember, always use โpress sb for sthโ without changing the order or replacing โforโ with other prepositions.
Differences / Synonyms
Press sb for sth is similar to:
- Push sb for sth โ more forceful, sometimes physical or emotional pressure.
- Ask sb for sth โ more neutral and polite, less pressure.
- Demand sth from sb โ stronger and more forceful than press.
The key difference is that โpressโ implies persistent or urgent asking but is less aggressive than โdemandโ.
Common Collocations
- Press sb for an answer
- Press sb for information
- Press sb for details
- Press sb for a decision
- Press sb for help
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of press sb for sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Did you hear back from the client?
Mark: Not yet. Iโve been pressing them for a response all morning.
Anna: Good. We need their decision soon.
Mark: Iโll press them again after lunch.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
- She __________ her teacher __________ the test results.
- We need to __________ the manager __________ a final answer.
- They __________ the government __________ more funding.
Answers: pressed / for; press / for; pressed / for
FAQ
- What does โPress sb for sthโ mean?
- It means to ask someone firmly or repeatedly for something.
- Is โPress sb for sthโ separable?
- No, the object must come after โforโ.
- Can I use โPress sb for sthโ in formal writing?
- Yes, it is acceptable in both formal and informal contexts.
- What is the difference between โpressโ and โdemandโ?
- โPressโ is less forceful and more polite than โdemandโ.
- Can I use โPress sb for sthโ with any object?
- It is usually used with information, answers, decisions, or help.
