SpeakUp

Grammar fix

apply pressure

push (physical or metaphorical)

to push on something physically, or to try to make someone do something by persuading or demanding

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • You need to apply pressure to the cut to stop the bleeding.daily life
  • In my opinion, parents shouldn't apply too much pressure on their children to get perfect grades, as it can be unhealthy.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: apply pressure (to/on something/someone)

WrongWe applied pressure to make him to agree.

RightWe applied pressure to make him agree.

'Make someone DO' — no 'to' after 'make + person'.

Patternapply pressure (to/on something/someone)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff It is necessary to exert coercive pressure upon the supplier.

Natural We need to put pressure on the supplier.

'Exert coercive pressure upon' is heavy; 'put pressure on' is what people actually say.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • apply / put pressure on
    to the woundon the governmentsteadymore

Don't confuse it

Do not confuse with 'feel pressure', which means experiencing stress, not causing it.

Try it in Daily Speak →