What Does “Push sb towards doing sth” Mean?
“Push sb towards doing sth” means to encourage or influence someone to take a particular action or make a decision.
Introduction
The phrase push sb towards doing sth is commonly used in English to describe situations where someone influences or motivates another person to do something. This can happen in different ways, such as giving advice, applying pressure, or simply encouraging. Understanding the push sb towards doing sth meaning helps learners use this phrase correctly in both spoken and written English. It is especially useful in describing how people affect others’ choices or actions in personal, professional, or social contexts.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: push somebody towards doing something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to encourage or influence someone to do something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
This phrasal verb is inseparable, meaning you cannot separate the verb and the particle.
- Pattern: push + somebody + towards + verb-ing
- Example: She pushed him towards accepting the offer.
You must use the gerund (verb + -ing) after “towards.”
How to Use Push sb towards doing sth?
Use this phrase to express that someone is encouraging or influencing another person to take a specific action. It often implies some pressure or strong motivation.
It can be used in formal and informal contexts, such as advising a friend, guiding a student, or discussing workplace decisions.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using push sb towards doing sth in a sentence:
- Her parents pushed her towards studying medicine because they wanted her to have a stable career.
- The coach pushed the team towards practicing harder before the championship.
- Financial difficulties pushed him towards finding a second job.
- The company’s policy pushes employees towards improving their skills continuously.
- Peer pressure can push teenagers towards making risky decisions.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the structure or use the wrong form after “towards.”
- Incorrect: She pushed him towards to accept the offer.
- Correct: She pushed him towards accepting the offer.
- Incorrect: They pushed me towards do the task.
- Correct: They pushed me towards doing the task.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include encourage sb to do sth and drive sb to do sth. However, “push sb towards doing sth” often implies a stronger influence or pressure.
- Encourage sb to do sth: More positive and gentle motivation.
- Drive sb to do sth: Can imply strong internal or external pressure, sometimes negative.
- Push sb towards doing sth: Usually external influence, can be neutral or slightly forceful.
Common Collocations
People often use this phrase with words related to decisions, actions, or choices.
- Push sb towards making a decision – helping someone decide
- Push sb towards changing their mind – influencing opinions
- Push sb towards accepting an offer – encouraging agreement
- Push sb towards improving – motivating better performance
- Push sb towards taking action – urging someone to act
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of push sb towards doing sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using push sb towards doing sth naturally:
Anna: My brother doesn’t want to take the job offer, but our parents keep pushing him towards accepting it.
Ben: Sometimes family pressure can be strong. Is he considering their advice?
Anna: A little, but he’s still unsure.
Practice
Try this exercise to test your understanding of the phrase:
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) They pushed me towards to join the team.
- b) They pushed me towards joining the team.
- c) They pushed me towards join the team.
Answer: b) They pushed me towards joining the team.
FAQ
- Q: Can I use “push sb towards doing sth” in formal writing?
A: Yes, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
- Q: Is “push sb towards doing sth” separable?
A: No, this phrasal verb is inseparable.
- Q: What verb form follows “towards”?
A: Always use the gerund (verb + -ing).
- Q: Can “push sb towards doing sth” have a negative meaning?
A: It can be neutral or imply gentle pressure depending on context.
- Q: Is it similar to “encourage sb to do sth”?
A: Yes, but “push” often implies stronger influence.
