pulled aside

USAGE SUMMARY

"pulled aside" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing an action in which someone moves away from a group or directs someone away from the group. For example: The teacher pulled the student aside and quietly discussed her behavior.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She pulled aside the curtain.

The New Yorker

Some were pulled aside for interviews.

The New York Times

Getting pulled aside by TSA?

The Guardian - Opinion

The emerald curtain is pulled aside.

The New York Times - Books

"I was constantly being pulled aside," Miner said.

The New York Times - Sports

whom you once pulled aside to warn about fraud?

The New York Times - Magazine

Each gallery echoes the painting with its own red stage curtain pulled aside.

The New York Times - Arts

One noncommissioned officer pulled aside a reporter and vented about the origins of the attacks.

The New York Times

A couple of the snaps popped open, and she pulled aside the paper.

The New Yorker

He'd pulled aside his overcoat to show the electricity badge on his left lapel.

The New Yorker

Then he moved to the ark and pulled aside the heavy blue curtain.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pulled aside" when you want to emphasize a brief, often private, interaction following a separation from a larger group.

Common error

Avoid using "pulled aside" when the context implies simply moving something physically without a specific intent of privacy or further action. For example, prefer "moved" when describing moving an object like a curtain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pulled aside" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically the past tense of "pull aside". Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing the act of separating someone from a group for a specific purpose, such as questioning or private conversation. The auxiliary function is descriptive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

9%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis of "pulled aside" reveals its prevalence as a phrasal verb denoting the act of separating someone from a group, often for a focused interaction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, indicating its role in describing real-world events. While alternatives like "took aside" and "led away" exist, "pulled aside" maintains its unique nuance of a brief, purposeful removal. When using "pulled aside", ensure the context aligns with this specific meaning to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took aside

Emphasizes the act of taking someone away for a private conversation.

led away

Focuses on the act of guiding someone to a different location, often for questioning.

stepped aside

Highlights the action of moving out of the way or yielding.

separated out

Emphasizes the act of distinguishing or isolating something or someone from a larger group.

isolated from the group

Focuses on the result of being separated, highlighting the state of being alone.

called over

Implies summoning someone to a specific location for a purpose.

moved away

General term for creating distance, lacking the specific purpose.

withdrew from the crowd

Emphasizes the act of removing oneself from a gathering.

singled out

Highlights the act of choosing someone or something from a larger group, often for special attention.

diverted

Highlights the act of changing the direction or path of someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "pulled aside" in a sentence?

You can use "pulled aside" to describe someone being briefly separated from a group, often for a private conversation or inspection. For example: "The officer "pulled aside" the traveler for questioning".

What's a similar phrase to "pulled aside"?

Alternatives include "took aside", "led away", or "singled out", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "pulled aside"?

"Pulled aside" is appropriate when someone is temporarily separated from a larger group, typically for a specific reason, such as a private discussion or closer examination. The implication is a brief and purposeful removal.

Is "pull aside" the same as "pulled aside"?

"Pull aside" is the infinitive form of the verb, while "pulled aside" is the past tense. Use "pulled aside" when describing an action that has already occurred. For example, "He "pulled aside" the student after class."