pulled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pulled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a physical action of pulling something or in a figurative sense, like pulling information or resources. Example: "She pulled the door open with all her strength."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The plotters who pulled Kevin Rudd down in 2010 didn't know their man.

The Guardian

Ayarci then pulled out a megaphone and began chanting in support of the law before she was eventually squeezed out.

The Guardian

West first discussed Drake's recent outburst following the Rolling Stone magazine cover which was pulled to pay tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman, following the actor's death.

The Guardian - Music

For Keys, who was the top seed at the final tuneup event in Strasbourg this week (but pulled out before a quarter-final matchup against Kristina Mladenovic), this isn't a bad matchup.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is as if you walk by a river and see a child being pulled away by the current and think: 'I'll let the child drown because then the other kids will know that they shouldn't fall into the river.

The Guardian

Another fan, Sarah Mackness, said: "We're gutted that Mo pulled out at the last minute.

The Guardian - Sport

Hog has geographical scope too, recreating recipes from India (Goan pork vindaloo), Canada (pig's head poutine) and the Deep South, spiritual home of pulled pork.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was a great Test match and probably the majority of the game we weren't at our best, but we almost pulled off what would have been one of the great Test wins ever.

The Guardian - Sport

Channel Five's Extraordinary People: Britain's Identical Quads pulled in 1.2 million, a 5.3% share.

The Guardian

Two minutes from the break Alan Mannus saved a weak penalty from the Kilmarnock midfielder Shiels after the Saints left-back Callum Davidson was adjudged by the referee Craig Charleston to have pulled down Gary Harkins in the box.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Liverpool 2-1 QPR | Premier League match report It was no more than Villa deserved on the balance of play, with Fabian Delph catching the eye alongside Cleverley in front of the watching Roy Hodgson, although there was nearly a sting in the tail when Phil Jagielka pulled a goal back for Everton in injury time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pulled" in the context of removing something from a race or competition, clarify the reason for the withdrawal to provide a complete picture.

Common error

Avoid confusing "pulled" with "pushed". "Pulled" implies drawing something towards you, while "pushed" means moving something away. Saying "He pushed a muscle" is incorrect; the correct phrase is "He pulled a muscle".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pulled" is that of a verb in the past tense. It describes an action that occurred in the past, involving drawing, extracting, or exerting force. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is correct and frequently seen in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

30%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pulled" functions as a past tense verb with multiple applications, ranging from physical actions to strategic withdrawals. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound. Predominantly found in News & Media and sports contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. Related terms such as ""drew"" or ""extracted"" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the intended action, and avoid confusing it with similar words like "pushed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drew

Implies a smoother, more controlled action of bringing something towards oneself.

extracted

Suggests careful removal, often of something embedded or difficult to access.

withdrew

Focuses on the act of retracting or removing oneself or something previously committed.

retracted

Highlights the action of taking something back, often a statement or offer.

yanked

Conveys a sudden, forceful pulling motion.

tugged

Suggests a gentle or repeated pulling action.

dragged

Implies pulling something heavy or resistant along a surface.

plucked

Indicates a quick, upward pulling motion, often used for removing something small.

hauled

Suggests pulling something heavy or bulky with considerable effort.

jerked

Implies a sharp, sudden pulling movement, often causing a reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "pulled" in a sentence?

The word "pulled" is the past tense of "pull" and is versatile. It can be used to describe a physical action, as in "She "pulled the rope"", or a more abstract action, as in "The company "pulled the ad" after complaints".

What's the difference between "pulled" and "tugged"?

"Pulled" generally suggests a stronger, more decisive action than "tugged". "Tugged" implies a gentler, often repeated, pulling action. For example, "He "pulled the door open"" versus "She "tugged at his sleeve"".

What are some alternatives to "pulled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "drew", "extracted", "withdrew", or "retracted".

Is it correct to say "pulled out of"?

Yes, "pulled out of" is a common and correct idiom that means to withdraw from an agreement, competition, or activity. For example, "The team "pulled out of the tournament" due to injuries".