pulled away

USAGE SUMMARY

"pulled away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb phrase meaning to separate two things that had been connected or joined together. For example, "He pulled away from her embrace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I pulled away.

The New Yorker

Then she pulled away.

The New Yorker

The bus pulled away.

The New York Times

It pulled away without her.

The New Yorker

The car pulled away.

The New York Times

So they pulled away.

The New York Times - Magazine

Finally, Miller pulled away.

The New York Times - Sports

The S.U.V. pulled away.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Crystal considered pulling away.

The New Yorker

Kitty pulls away.

The New Yorker

And then advertisers pull away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pulled away" to describe a physical action, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being separated from what. For example, "She pulled away her hand from the hot stove."

Common error

Avoid using "pulled away" interchangeably with phrases that imply emotional distance without a clear physical separation. For instance, instead of "He pulled away emotionally", consider "He became distant" or "He withdrew his affection" if there's no physical act of pulling away.

Linguistic Context

Pulled away functions primarily as a phrasal verb, acting as the main verb in a sentence or clause. It describes the action of creating distance, either physically or emotionally, between two entities. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pulled away" is a versatile phrasal verb that describes the act of creating distance, whether physically or emotionally. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it serves to convey separation, retreat, or disengagement. When using "pulled away", ensure clarity in specifying what is being separated and avoid directly interchanging it with terms solely implying emotional distance without a clear physical action. Consider alternatives like "withdrew" or "retreated" to add nuance. Its frequent usage underscores its importance in effectively communicating the idea of creating separation in both tangible and intangible scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drew back

Similar to "pulled away", but can also imply a reflexive or involuntary action.

broke away

Suggests a sudden or forceful separation.

withdrew

Simple past tense of 'withdraw', indicating a retreat or removal, often implying a deliberate action.

backed off

Suggests reducing involvement or stepping away from a confrontation or commitment.

retreated

Implies moving back or away from a position, often due to pressure or danger.

moved back

A general term for shifting position in a backward direction; less specific than 'retreated'.

separated

Highlights the act of becoming physically or emotionally detached.

disengaged

Emphasizes the act of releasing or disconnecting from something.

detached

Focuses on the state of being disconnected or disengaged, either physically or emotionally.

receded

Indicates a gradual movement away or back, often used in the context of water or other fluids.

FAQs

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

You can use "pulled away" to describe a physical action, like "The car "pulled away" from the curb", or an emotional action, like "She "pulled away" from the embrace".

What's a synonym for "pulled away"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "pulled away" include "withdrew", "retreated", or "backed off".

Is it correct to say "pulled away from" someone?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Pulled away from" indicates separation or distancing from a person or thing. For example, "He "pulled away from" the argument".

What is the difference between "pulled away" and "pushed away"?

"Pulled away" generally suggests a voluntary or reflexive action of moving oneself or something else, while "pushed away" implies a forceful action exerted on something or someone else to create distance. For example, you "pulled away" from an unwanted kiss and you "pushed away" an attacker.