pull back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pull back and forth' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that involves movement in two opposite directions. For example, you could say: "He pulled the rope back and forth to tighten it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The tools with which the 26-year-old proposed to hew this massive lump of stone into a human shape were hammers and chisels, rasps and files and scrapers, and a wooden bow like an archer's whose string you could pull back and forth to rotate a drill.

The Guardian - Arts

Put some downward pressure on the socket and start to pull back and forth on the bow.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

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Vice

Another machine pulls back and forth on a crib railing, 7,000 times each way.

The New York Times

For the past 11 days, Bernie Williams, the Yankees' center fielder, has been pulled back and forth between these two emotions.

The New York Times - Sports

Birnbaum brought out an exercise band, and they pulled back and forth on it as DiDonato sang, acting out the "pulse" effect.

The New Yorker

Parts of your body may be going supersonic while others aren't, causing flutter waves pulling back and forth among the surfaces".

The New York Times - Science

An aerialist might be pulled back and forth between strength and weakness, staying and falling – or find the queer dead calm, the point of grace, between the two.

The Guardian

Mr. Stiefel effectively gave the impression of being pulled back and forth by choreographic tides in his first solo and he leaped and turned with ease in his second.

The New York Times

The bass drum and hi-hats (both closed and open) play a little game with each other: coming in, forgetting to kick at the start of the measure or opening at an irregular moment, pulling back and forth ever so briefly and maybe too fast to recognize.

Vice

His programs centered around popular 'transitional' characters, who--when confronted with having to make personal, even life-altering, decisions--are pulled back and forth by positive and negative influences, but who ultimately decide to do the right thing, whether it's attending an adult literacy class or using contraceptives to space or limit pregnancies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pull back and forth" to describe actions involving reciprocal or alternating motion, such as sawing wood or rocking a boat.

Common error

Avoid using "pull back and forth" when describing nuanced or intricate interactions that involve more than simple reciprocal motion. Opt for more descriptive verbs to capture the complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pull back and forth" functions as a verb phrase describing a repetitive motion in opposite directions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples demonstrate its usage in describing physical actions like sawing or using a bow drill.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pull back and forth" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes a repetitive motion in opposing directions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. Predominantly found in Wiki, News & Media, and Science contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing. When using "pull back and forth", remember it implies repetition; therefore, adding redundant adverbs like "repeatedly" is usually unnecessary. Consider related phrases such as "oscillate" or "reciprocate" for more formal or nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shift back and forth

Emphasizes a change in position between two points.

swing back and forth

Suggests a curved movement, like a pendulum.

rock back and forth

Implies a gentle, soothing movement.

move to and fro

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe reciprocal movement.

alternate

Focuses on the sequential nature of going from one state or position to another.

oscillate

Emphasizes the rhythmic, repetitive nature of the movement.

reciprocate

Highlights the exchange or interplay of actions.

shuttle

Implies a regular, back and forth movement, often for transport.

seesaw

Suggests a balanced, alternating movement like that of a playground seesaw.

waver

Implies uncertainty or instability in the movement.

FAQs

How can I use "pull back and forth" in a sentence?

You can use "pull back and forth" to describe a repetitive motion. For example, "He had to "pull the saw back and forth" to cut the wood."

What can I say instead of "pull back and forth"?

Alternatives include "oscillate", "reciprocate", or "shift back and forth", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "pull back and forth repeatedly"?

Yes, adding "repeatedly" is often redundant because "pull back and forth" already implies a repeated action. However, you might use it for emphasis if the repetition isn't obvious from the context.

What's the difference between "pull back and forth" and "push and pull"?

"Pull back and forth" specifically describes a single action moving reciprocally. "Push and pull", on the other hand, may refer to separate and distinct actions applied in opposite directions, or a general tension between opposing forces.