The door was closed but he pushed it open.

Meaning: This sentence is describing how someone used force to move an object and create an opening. It's like saying, He used his hands to move the door and make an opening.

Choice of Words: Pushed means to apply force to something with the intent to move it. Open means to create an opening or passageway. Together, "Pushed it open" describes the action of using force to move an object and create an opening.

Alternative Expressions

The door was shut, but he forced it ajar.

Meaning: This sentence describes how someone opened a door that was closed. It means that the door was not open, but someone used force to make it slightly open.

Choice of Words: The is used to refer to a specific door. Door is a noun that means an opening in a wall or fence that can be closed and opened. Was is the past tense of the verb to be, which means to exist. Shut is an adjective that means closed. But is a conjunction that connects two contrasting ideas. He is a pronoun that refers to a specific person. Forced is a verb that means to apply force to something in order to move it. It is a pronoun that refers to the door. Ajar is an adjective that means slightly open.

The portal was sealed, but he breached it with a spell.

Meaning: This sentence describes how someone opened a portal that was closed. It means that the portal was not open, but someone used a spell to break through it and enter.

Choice of Words: The is used to refer to a specific portal. Portal is a noun that means a doorway or gateway to another place. Was is the past tense of the verb to be, which means to exist. Sealed is an adjective that means closed or blocked off. But is a conjunction that connects two contrasting ideas. He is a pronoun that refers to a specific person. Breached is a verb that means to break through or enter a place without permission. It is a pronoun that refers to the portal. With is a preposition that means using something. A is an indefinite article that means one. Spell is a noun that means a set of words or actions that are used to produce a magical effect.

Related Expressions