What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prodding
Example
He prodded the meat with a fork to check if it was cooked. [prodded: past tense]
Example
She kept prodding him to apply for the job he wanted. [prodding: gerund or present participle]
pushing
Example
He was pushing the heavy cart up the hill. [pushing: present participle]
Example
The company was pushing their new line of products through various marketing campaigns. [pushing: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pushing is more commonly used than prodding in everyday language. Pushing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prodding is less common and refers to a more specific type of action.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prodding and pushing?
While prodding is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, pushing can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
