pull toward

USAGE SUMMARY

"pull toward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe movement towards something. For example, "He pulled his chair toward the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pull toward the future.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They remain apart, yet they constantly pull toward each other.

The New York Times - Books

That's why the world of movies tends now to pull toward the extremes.

The New Yorker

Pull toward you the Handle-Bar in front the Cigaret mark you desire.

The New Yorker

As Mr Perry warned shareholders earlier this year, Ben & Jerry's must beware "the inexorable drift and pull toward the mainstream".

The Economist

They expected that the expansion would be slowing as galaxies pull toward one another with their gravity.

Science Magazine

In 2000 Logitech started selling a mouse that made the cursor bump over icons and gently pull toward hyperlinks.

Forbes

As you lower the tip, stop squeezing and pull toward you to create a pointed "tail" of icing.

BBC

There's no notch to move the stick to; just pull toward you and you'll see (on the dash) that the car is now in fourth gear.

Forbes

I felt that spark, that pull toward him.

Los Angeles Times

The horses that pull toward "evidence" pull a cart full of money.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pull toward" to describe both physical movement and abstract attraction or inclination. For example, "The magnet pulled the metal shard toward it" or "She felt a pull toward a simpler lifestyle."

Common error

Ensure that the subject performing the action is clearly identified and that the direction of the "pull" is unambiguous. Avoid passive voice constructions that could obscure the source or target of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pull toward" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of exerting a force to bring something closer. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing examples in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "pull toward" is a common and versatile expression used to describe both physical movement and metaphorical attraction. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is grammatically correct and well-supported by examples across a variety of contexts. It's frequently found in news, academic, and wiki sources. Remember to use it when describing a force drawing something closer and consider its nuances compared to similar phrases like "move towards" or "gravitate to". By understanding its grammatical function and communicative purpose, you can use "pull toward" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move towards

A general term for physical or metaphorical movement in a specific direction.

approach

A more concise way of expressing movement in the direction of a target.

draw closer

Focuses on the decreasing distance between two entities, implying a gradual approach.

be drawn to

Focuses on the feeling of being influenced or attracted.

gravitate to

Implies a natural or inherent attraction towards something.

be attracted to

Highlights the feeling of being drawn to something or someone.

lean towards

Suggests a tendency or inclination in a particular direction, often in a decision-making context.

tend toward

Indicates a habitual or predictable movement or development.

incline toward

Similar to 'lean towards', but often used in more formal contexts.

head in the direction of

Emphasizes the directional aspect of movement.

FAQs

How can I use "pull toward" in a sentence?

You can use "pull toward" to describe a physical action, like "He "pulled the rope toward him"", or a more abstract feeling, such as "She felt a "strong pull toward her family"".

What are some alternatives to "pull toward"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "draw closer", "gravitate to", or "move towards".

Is it correct to say "pulled towards" instead of "pull toward"?

While "pulled towards" is grammatically correct, "pull toward" is often used to emphasize the action of pulling in a specific direction. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

How does the meaning of "pull toward" differ from "push away"?

"Pull toward" suggests attraction or movement in the direction of something, while "push away" implies repulsion or movement away from something. They are antonyms, representing opposite actions.