pulled away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pulled away from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of moving away from something or someone, either physically or emotionally. Example: "She felt a sense of relief as she pulled away from the toxic relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He pulled away from me.

The Guardian - Books

The car pulled away from the curb.

The New York Times

I was tortured to be pulled away from her".

The New Yorker

The boat pulled away from the Saznekhali jetty at dark.

The New Yorker

I mean they pulled away from his teeth.

The New Yorker

Pulled away from the wall, it can easily seat six.

The New York Times

She pulled away from him and crossed her arms tightly.

The New Yorker

She'd pulled away from the hoopla without anyone's noticing.

The New Yorker

Joe had pulled away from the rest of the field".

The New York Times - Sports

The intense plasma shrunk and pulled away from the substrate holder as pressure increased.

Diamond and Related Materials

This time, the tendon pulled away from the bone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using it in a figurative sense, ensure that the context clarifies whether emotional or psychological distance is intended. Example: "She pulled away from the conversation when it became too heated."

Common error

Avoid using "pulled away from" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language may be preferred. Alternatives like "retreated from" or "disengaged from" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pulled away from" functions primarily as a phrasal verb used to indicate the act of moving or withdrawing, either physically or emotionally, from a specific point or situation. As shown in Ludwig AI, it describes the act of moving, separation or withdrawal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pulled away from" is a versatile phrasal verb indicating physical or emotional separation. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in academic writing. Use it to describe movement, disengagement, and detachment, ensuring clarity in the context to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retreated from

Indicates a withdrawal or moving back from a position or situation.

withdrew from

Implies a more formal or deliberate act of removing oneself.

distanced oneself from

Focuses on creating emotional or social separation.

receded from

Suggests a gradual movement away, often in a physical sense.

separated from

Highlights the state of being divided or apart.

moved away from

A more general term for changing location or position.

disengaged from

Implies a release from involvement or connection.

backed away from

Suggests caution or fear in withdrawing.

shied away from

Implies reluctance or aversion in avoiding something.

evaded

Implies avoiding something, whether physically or emotionally.

FAQs

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

You can use "pulled away from" to describe a physical movement, like "The train "pulled away from" the station", or an emotional distancing, such as "She "pulled away from" the argument".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "pulled away from"?

Depending on the context, you could use "retreated from", "withdrew from", or "distanced oneself from" as alternatives to "pulled away from".

Is it correct to use "pulled away from" in academic writing?

While "pulled away from" is grammatically correct, it might be considered too informal for certain academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "retreated from" or "disengaged from" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "pulled away from" and "moved away from"?

"Pulled away from" often implies a more sudden or forceful movement or disengagement, while "moved away from" suggests a more gradual or deliberate shift in position or focus.