What Does “Push sb towards sth” Mean?
“Push sb towards sth” means to encourage or influence someone to move in a particular direction or to make a certain choice or decision.
Introduction
The phrase “Push sb towards sth” is a common phrasal verb used in everyday English. It describes the action of motivating or guiding someone to take a specific step, often in a positive or persuasive way. Understanding the push sb towards sth meaning helps learners express how people influence others in different situations, such as career decisions, personal choices, or behavioral changes. This phrasal verb is useful for both spoken and written English, making your communication clearer and more natural.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Push somebody towards something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To encourage or influence someone to do or choose something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Push sb towards sth” is a transitive phrasal verb. It is inseparable, meaning the object (sb) always comes immediately after “push”.
Pattern: push + somebody + towards + something
Example: She pushed him towards a career in law.
How to Use Push sb towards sth?
Use “push sb towards sth” when you want to describe influencing or encouraging someone to make a decision or take action. The phrase often suggests a gentle or firm nudge in a certain direction, not physical pushing. It can be used in formal and informal contexts.
Examples
Parents often push their children towards higher education.
Here are more examples of “Push sb towards sth in a sentence”:
- The coach pushed the team towards winning the championship.
- Her friends pushed her towards trying new hobbies.
- The company pushed employees towards adopting new technology.
- Stress at work pushed him towards seeking professional help.
- Teachers push students towards critical thinking skills.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the order or preposition. Here are examples to avoid:
- Incorrect: She pushed towards him the idea.
- Correct: She pushed him towards the idea.
- Incorrect: They pushed him to the new project.
- Correct: They pushed him towards the new project.
Differences / Synonyms
“Push sb towards sth” is similar to “encourage sb to do sth” or “nudge sb in a direction.” However, “push” implies a stronger influence or pressure, while “encourage” is softer.
- Encourage sb to do sth: More gentle motivation
- Nudge sb towards sth: Subtle or small influences
- Drive sb towards sth: Stronger force or determination
Common Collocations
We often use “push sb towards sth” with these objects. Knowing these helps you use the phrase naturally:
- Career – pushing someone to choose a job path
- Decision – influencing a choice
- Change – encouraging a new habit or attitude
- Goal – motivating someone to achieve something
- Opportunity – guiding someone to take advantage of chances
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of push sb towards sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here’s a short conversation showing how to use this phrasal verb naturally:
Anna: I’m not sure if I should apply for that job.
Mark: Don’t worry. My mentor pushed me towards a similar role, and it was the best decision I made.
Anna: That’s encouraging. Maybe I should give it a try.
Practice
Try to complete the sentence using “push sb towards sth”:
- Her parents always __________ her __________ studying medicine.
- The coach __________ the players __________ working harder to win.
- Stress at work __________ him __________ quitting his job.
FAQ
- What does “push sb towards sth” mean?
It means to encourage or influence someone to make a certain choice or take action. - Is “push sb towards sth” formal or informal?
It can be used in both formal and informal situations. - Can we use “push” physically in this phrase?
No, it usually refers to influence or encouragement, not physical pushing. - Is “push sb towards sth” separable?
No, the object must come directly after “push”. - What are synonyms for “push sb towards sth”?
Encourage sb to do sth, nudge sb towards sth, or drive sb towards sth.
