has been pulled back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been pulled back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been retracted, withdrawn, or returned to a previous state. Example: "The proposal has been pulled back for further review before it can be resubmitted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Now that the curtain has been pulled back, cheap credit alone can't fix our problems.

The New York Times

He is seen as a capable man so Nepal has been pulled back from the brink.

The Economist

It was the third time in a year that the offering has been pulled back.

The New York Times

The curtain has been pulled back on the wizard, and the fantasy is over.

The New York Times

Now nationwide the lid is off, the curtain has been pulled back and the deck cleared -- the Bengals are bunglers.

The New York Times - Sports

The film appears to remain on track for a strong weekend, even as the promotional campaign has been pulled back, partly because of strong advance ticket sales.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The British private bank has been pulling back from international markets.

The New York Times

And thanks to that deficit obsession, government, which could and should be supporting the economy in its time of need, has been pulling back.

The New York Times

In Iraq, Isis has been pulling back since December when it lost Ramadi, the capital of the western province of Anbar.

The Guardian

LinkedIn, too, has been pulling back more on which developers will be able to use its API and how.

TechCrunch

Beginning earlier this year, the market has been pulling back toward historical norms, though we're only part of the way there so far.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been pulled back" to indicate a deliberate action of retracting something, whether it's a proposal, troops, or a marketing campaign. Ensure the context clearly reflects the entity that initiated the pulling back action.

Common error

Avoid using "has been pulled back" when the context requires an active voice. For example, instead of "The company has been pulled back its product," use "The company has pulled back its product."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been pulled back" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes an action where something or someone is caused to return from a forward position, often implying a deliberate withdrawal or retraction. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been pulled back" is a versatile passive construction used to describe the act of retracting or withdrawing something, be it troops, proposals, or campaigns. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news, sports, and business contexts. While maintaining a neutral register, it effectively conveys the deliberate nature of the retraction. When writing, ensure the context aligns with a deliberate withdrawal and consider active voice alternatives when appropriate. Replace it with phrases like "has been withdrawn" for formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been withdrawn

Emphasizes a formal removal or cancellation.

has been retracted

Highlights the act of taking something back, often due to error or falsehood.

has been taken back

Indicates a removal or recovery of something previously given or offered.

has been rescinded

Implies a formal cancellation of a law, order, or agreement.

has been rolled back

Conveys a return to a prior condition, often used in the context of policies or regulations.

has been repealed

Refers specifically to the cancellation of a law or statute.

has been called back

Suggests a recall or summons back to a previous position or location.

has been set aside

Suggests something has been reserved or put aside for later use, or overruled.

has been shelved

Implies that a plan or project has been postponed indefinitely.

has been deferred

Means something has been postponed to a later time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has been pulled back" in a formal context?

In formal settings, consider alternatives like "has been withdrawn" or "has been retracted" for a more sophisticated tone.

When is it appropriate to use "has been pulled back" instead of "has been pushed back"?

"Has been pulled back" implies a retraction or withdrawal, while "has been pushed back" suggests a postponement or delay. Choose based on whether the item is being removed or simply rescheduled.

Is there a difference between "has been pulled back" and "has been taken back"?

While similar, "has been pulled back" often refers to strategies, plans, or resources being withdrawn, while "has been taken back" typically refers to physical objects or statements being recovered.

What are some common situations where "has been pulled back" is used?

"Has been pulled back" is often used to describe military maneuvers (troops), business decisions (offers), or political strategies (proposals) that have been deliberately withdrawn or retracted.