push for

try hard to get or achieve something

B2

What does "push for sth" mean?

To push for something means to actively and persistently try to make it happen, usually over a period of time. It suggests sustained pressure or advocacy — not just a single request, but an ongoing effort to achieve a goal that hasn't been secured yet. It's commonly used to describe groups like unions, activists, or governments working towards change, such as pushing for better pay or pushing for new legislation. The tone is determined but not necessarily aggressive — it implies steady, focused effort rather than fierce conflict. You'll hear and read it frequently in news articles and discussions about politics, workplace negotiations, and social issues.

Examples

How to use it

subject + push for + noun/noun phrase

The most common pattern: the subject campaigns or applies pressure to achieve the goal named after 'for'.

Environmental groups are pushing for stricter regulations on plastic waste.

push for + noun (present continuous)

The present continuous is especially natural with this phrasal verb because it emphasises that the effort is ongoing and not yet achieved.

The teachers' union is pushing for a significant pay rise this year.

push for + noun (present perfect)

Use the present perfect to show that the campaign or pressure has been happening over a period of time leading up to now.

Residents have pushed for better public transport links for over a decade.

push for + it (pronoun)

A pronoun can replace the noun phrase when the goal has already been mentioned, though a full noun phrase is more common.

If you believe this policy is fair, you should push for it at the next meeting.

Common Collocations

push for changepush for higher wagespush for reformpush for a dealpush for actionpush for equal rights

Common Mistakes

Using an infinitive instead of a noun

'Push for' must be followed by a noun or noun phrase, not an infinitive verb. This is a very common error because learners sometimes confuse it with 'push someone to do something'.

✗ They are pushing for to receive better conditions.
✓ They are pushing for better conditions.
Confusing 'push for' with 'push through'

'Push for' describes ongoing effort toward something not yet achieved. 'Push through' means the goal was actually forced to completion or officially approved. Using 'push for' when the outcome has already happened sounds unnatural.

✗ They pushed for the law last month, and now it's in effect.
✓ They pushed through the law last month, and now it's in effect.
Trying to separate the verb

'Push for' is inseparable — the object must always come after 'for', never between 'push' and 'for'.

✗ They are pushing reform for.
✓ They are pushing for reform.

Usage

push for is neutral in register and works in both spoken and written English. It is especially common in news and political contexts, and often appears in the present continuous to describe ongoing campaigns or negotiations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'push for' be used with an individual person as the subject, or is it only for groups?

Both work fine. While 'push for' is especially common with collective subjects like unions, governments, or activists, individuals can use it too — for example, 'She has been pushing for a promotion for months.' The key idea is sustained effort, regardless of who is doing it.

What kinds of things can you 'push for'? Can it be something small?

The object is usually an abstract goal — things like change, reform, rights, a deal, or answers. In principle it can be used for smaller-scale goals, but it sounds most natural when there is some degree of resistance or effort involved. Saying 'I pushed for an extra five minutes at lunch' would sound slightly odd; 'I pushed for a flexible working policy' sounds much more natural.

Does 'push for' always mean the goal hasn't been achieved yet?

Yes, that's an important feature of this phrasal verb. 'Push for' focuses on the effort and pressure, and implies the goal is still not secured. If the outcome has already been approved or completed, a different phrasal verb — like 'push through' — would be more appropriate.

Can 'push for' be used in the passive, like 'better pay was pushed for by the union'?

This is grammatically possible but sounds very unnatural in practice. With 'push for', the focus is on the person or group doing the campaigning, so the active form is almost always preferred. It's best to avoid the passive with this phrasal verb.

What's the difference between 'push for' and 'call for'?

'Call for' emphasises making a public demand or request — it can be a single, clear statement. 'Push for' implies sustained, active pressure over time, not just one request. A politician might call for an inquiry in a speech, but if they keep applying pressure week after week, you'd say they're pushing for it.

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