push ahead
continue with a plan or task even when it is difficult
What does "push ahead" mean?
Examples
- The government pushed ahead with the controversial tax reforms despite public protests.
- We've decided to push ahead with the expansion into new markets next year.
- Are you really going to push ahead with the project even though half the team is against it?
How to use it
The most common structure — use 'with' to specify the plan, project, or activity being continued despite opposition.
The council voted to push ahead with the new housing development despite local objections.
When the context already makes clear what is being continued, the 'with' phrase can be dropped entirely.
There was considerable pressure to abandon the project, but the team pushed ahead regardless.
Push ahead frequently follows verbs of decision or intention, especially when reporting on a choice made despite difficulty.
The company has decided to push ahead with the merger, even though some shareholders are concerned.
When referring back to a previously mentioned plan using a pronoun, 'it' follows 'with' — the pronoun cannot come between 'push' and 'ahead'.
The proposal was controversial, but the board chose to push ahead with it.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
Push ahead is intransitive, so you cannot place a noun phrase directly after it. When naming the plan or project, you must always include 'with'.
'Go ahead' is used when someone proceeds after receiving permission or after a pause — it doesn't carry a sense of resistance. 'Push ahead' specifically implies continuing despite opposition or difficulty, so the two are not always interchangeable.
Push ahead always implies some kind of friction — criticism, setbacks, controversy, or opposition. If no obstacle is present in the context, native speakers would naturally say 'go ahead' or 'proceed' instead.
Usage
Push ahead is neutral in register but appears most often in news, business, and political contexts. It always implies some difficulty or opposition — if there is no obstacle, native speakers would more naturally say 'go ahead' or 'proceed'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'push ahead' be used in the passive, like 'the plans were pushed ahead'?
No — 'push ahead' is intransitive, which means it has no object and cannot be made passive. The subject is always the person or organisation doing the pushing ahead. You would need to rephrase, for example: 'The plans were continued despite opposition.'
Does 'push ahead' always need an obstacle or problem in the sentence?
Not explicitly, but the sense of resistance is always implied — it's central to the meaning of this phrasal verb. If your sentence has no friction, criticism, or difficulty anywhere in the context, 'push ahead' will sound slightly unnatural and 'go ahead' or 'proceed' will fit better.
Is 'push ahead' more common in formal or everyday English?
It sits in a neutral-to-slightly-formal range and appears most frequently in news articles, business reporting, and political commentary. It does appear in spoken English too, but mainly in professional or semi-formal situations rather than casual everyday conversation.
What is the difference between 'push ahead' and 'press ahead'?
They are very close in meaning and are interchangeable in most situations — both describe continuing despite difficulty or opposition. 'Press ahead' may sound slightly more formal or journalistic, but the distinction is subtle and most native speakers use them the same way.
What kinds of subjects typically use 'push ahead'?
Because of its slightly formal tone and its association with organised resistance, 'push ahead' works best with subjects like governments, companies, councils, organisations, or project leaders. It is less naturally used for informal personal situations or activities like hobbies or games.
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