What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
push
Example
Please push the door open for me. [push: verb]
Example
The coach always pushes his players to do their best. [pushes: verb]
Example
I had to push myself to finish the marathon. [push: verb]
shove
Example
He shoved me out of the way to get to the front of the line. [shoved: past tense]
Example
I had to shove the couch to fit it through the doorway. [shove: verb]
Example
The sudden shove caused him to lose his balance. [shove: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Push is more commonly used than shove in everyday language. Push is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shove is less common and has a more limited usage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between push and shove?
Both push and shove are informal words, but shove is more likely to be associated with negative or aggressive behavior, making it less appropriate for formal situations.
