it pulls on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it pulls on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something exerts a force or influence, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The tension in the rope pulls on the anchor, keeping the boat steady in the water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This allowed them to study the length of the lever created by the tendon as it pulls on the back of the heel to make the foot flex and push off the ground.Dr Lee and Dr Piazza found, as they report in the Journal of Experimental Biology, that the toes of their sprinters averaged 8.2cm in length, while those of non-sprinters averaged 7.3cm.

The Economist

As with Dark Souls III, it pulls on nostalgia strings that I'll leave for players to discover themselves, but overall it falls flat.

Vice

Basically, instead of varying the opposing rotor's lift, the pilot leans the bike, and by leaning the bike, it pulls on lines attached to the bottoms of the rotor posts, and that tilts the thrusts of the rotors, which gives you an instantaneous and very large sideways force.

Vice

It localizes at the cell cortex, where it pulls on astral microtubules to position the spindle [ 10– 15].

Biochemical Society Transactions

In the cytoplasm, DYNLL1 is important for transport of cargo, carrying them toward the minus ends of microtubules and can also be found at the cortex, where it pulls on microtubules attached to the spindle poles during mitosis (56).

Human Molecular Genetics

This is a common mistake but it pulls on your horse's mouth so he gets conflicting signals ("Stop! Don't Stop!").

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Chase spent three years defending this scam, which it pulled on one million cardholders.

Huffington Post

It causes split ends and it tugs and pulls on hair.

WikiHow

Continue across the head of the jamb to the butt (hinge) side, being sure to press the seal tightly to the jamb material, and avoiding stretching it (pulling on it) as you go.

WikiHow

Sienna Miller didn't wear her poppy because it was pulling on her clothes.

Independent

He retrieved it by pulling on a snippet of nylon filament.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it pulls on", ensure that the subject performing the pulling action is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what "it" refers to, such as "The rope pulls on the anchor."

Common error

Avoid using "it pulls on" when the action is actually pushing or exerting pressure in a different direction. The phrase specifically denotes a pulling force, so use more appropriate terms like "it pushes against" or "it presses on" for those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it pulls on" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "it" is the subject and "pulls on" is the verb expressing an action exerted upon an object or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. This phrase is typically transitive, requiring an object to complete its meaning, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

20%

News & Media

57%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it pulls on" is a versatile expression mainly used to describe the exertion of a physical or metaphorical force. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and acceptable in various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, though primarily found in news, scientific, and wiki-based sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in the subject to avoid ambiguity and consider alternative expressions such as "it exerts pressure on" or "it influences" depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it places tension on

Similar to 'puts strain on', highlighting the tension aspect.

it exerts pressure on

Focuses on the application of pressure rather than a pulling force.

it puts strain on

Emphasizes the stress or tension caused by the pulling action.

it applies force to

Emphasizes the application of a physical force.

it influences

Shifts the meaning towards a more abstract sense of impact or effect.

it affects

Similar to 'influences' but can also imply a negative consequence.

it draws on

Implies reliance or dependence on something, differing from a physical pull.

it relies on

Focuses on the dependence aspect, not the pulling action.

it leans on

Suggests dependence or support, rather than a physical pulling force.

it depends on

Highlights the conditional aspect; something is contingent on another.

FAQs

How can I use "it pulls on" in a sentence?

You can use "it pulls on" to describe something exerting a physical force, like "The current pulls on the boat", or a more abstract influence, such as "Nostalgia "it draws on" past experiences".

What are some alternatives to "it pulls on"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it exerts pressure on", "it applies force to", or "it influences" to convey similar meanings.

Is there a difference between "it pulls on" and "it draws on"?

"It pulls on" generally refers to a physical force, while ""it draws on"" typically means to rely on something for support or inspiration. For example, "The engine pulls on the cable" versus "The artist draws on personal experiences."

When is it inappropriate to use "it pulls on"?

It's not appropriate when the action is pushing, pressing, or exerting force in a direction other than pulling. Use alternatives like "it pushes against" or "it presses on" in those cases.