had pulled up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had pulled up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that was completed in the past, often referring to a vehicle coming to a stop or someone arriving at a location. Example: "By the time we arrived at the party, they had pulled up and were already unloading their car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ms. Beberfield, smiling, had pulled up a chair to watch.

The New York Times

Jelena had pulled up the hood of her sweater.

The New Yorker

The plane had pulled up at the last minute.

The New Yorker

By 7 45, two limousines had pulled up outside.

The New York Times - Style

Their car had pulled up beside ours and they were laughing.

The New Yorker

Soon, several other cars had pulled up, and nobody was retreating.

The New York Times - Magazine

The court agreed, and by late Friday the ship had pulled up anchor and set sail.

The New York Times

Lt. Raymond Brown had pulled up outside just as the first tower was collapsing.

The New York Times

In the meantime, however, a sport utility limo had pulled up to the curb.

The New York Times - Arts

Somewhere at sea, two tankers had pulled up alongside for cargo transfers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I probably should have pulled up".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had pulled up" to vividly describe the arrival of a vehicle at a specific location, enhancing the narrative by setting the scene and indicating a completed action in the past.

Common error

Avoid using "had pulled up" when referring to a present or future action. Ensure the context clearly indicates a past event, as using the wrong tense can confuse the timeline and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had pulled up" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action (pulling up) that was completed before another action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in describing completed actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had pulled up" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It primarily functions to describe a completed action—typically the arrival and stopping of a vehicle—before another event in the past. It is most common in news and media contexts, maintains a neutral to formal register, and offers alternative phrasing options such as "had arrived" or "had stopped" depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had driven up

Specifies that the arrival was by car or some other wheeled vehicle.

had pulled in

Indicates the act of entering a specific space or location, such as a driveway or parking spot.

had arrived

Replaces the phrasal verb with a simpler verb indicating arrival, suitable when the mode of transportation is not relevant.

had stopped

Focuses on the action of halting, particularly if the context involves a vehicle or some other moving object.

had parked

Highlights the action of parking a vehicle, useful when the focus is on the vehicle's final position.

had drawn up

A more formal synonym that emphasizes the act of approaching and stopping, often used in British English.

had motored up

Implies arrival by motor vehicle, adding a specific detail about the mode of transport.

had rolled up

Suggests a slow or casual arrival, often implying a lack of urgency.

had cruised up

Suggests a relaxed or leisurely arrival, often used to describe a stylish vehicle or confident arrival.

had come to a stop

A more descriptive alternative that emphasizes the process of decelerating and halting.

FAQs

How can I use "had pulled up" in a sentence?

Use "had pulled up" to describe a vehicle that has stopped at a specific location in the past. For example, "By the time I got outside, the taxi "had pulled up" to the curb".

What are some alternatives to "had pulled up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "had arrived", "had stopped", or "had drawn up".

Is it correct to say "has pulled up" instead of "had pulled up"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Has pulled up" indicates present perfect tense, implying the action is relevant to the present. "Had pulled up" is past perfect, indicating the action was completed before another point in the past.

What's the difference between "pulled up" and "had pulled up"?

"Pulled up" is simple past tense, describing a single action in the past. "Had pulled up" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another past action. For example, "They pulled up to the house" vs. "They "had pulled up" before I came outside".