Push means apply force against something, often to move it away from you.
The idea
You can push a door, push a cart or push a button. The regular past form is pushed; a direction can follow the object.
Examples
- Push the door gently to open it.
- We pushed the table toward the wall.
- She pushed the button for the lift.
- He pushed the cart along the aisle.
- The door did not move when I pushed it.
- Do I need to push or pull this door?
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Watch out
Push describes applying force; a stuck door might not move. Pull commonly means drawing something toward you.
Try it yourself
Choose the action for force away. Move the door away from you by applying force: ___ it. (push / pull)
Show answer or example answer
push
Push fits force directed away from the person.
Choose the past form. Yesterday we ___ the table toward the wall. (pushed / push)
Show answer or example answer
pushed
Pushed is the regular past form.
Decide what pushing proves. I pushed the stuck door. Does that alone prove it moved? (no / yes)
Show answer or example answer
no
The action of pushing does not prove that the door moved.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the action for force away. Move the door away from you by applying force: ___ it. (push / pull)
Choose the past form. Yesterday we ___ the table toward the wall. (pushed / push)
Decide what pushing proves. I pushed the stuck door. Does that alone prove it moved? (no / yes)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe something you pushed and say whether it moved.