pulling steadily

USAGE SUMMARY

'pulling steadily' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a physical action that is being performed consistently and with a certain degree of strength. For example: He hauled the large bag of feed, pulling steadily until it was out of the truck bed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their momentum was lost with each ill-advised head fake, and NZL 60 pulled steadily away.

The New York Times - Sports

Until then, the typical pay of a worker with a bachelor's degree had pulled steadily away from the wages of those with only high school diplomas.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As Schumacher and Barrichello pulled steadily away from Tiago Monteiro's third place Jordan, the Michelin team members offered their profound apologies to the fans.

The Guardian - Sport

From the resumption to the end, Radwanska pulled steadily clear, with Li badgering her all the way, forcing Radwanska to eight match points before hitting long.

The Guardian - Sport

After the younger brother emerged from the pits in front, he pulled steadily away, unchallenged until he crossed the finish line 20.2 seconds ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

IF JAPAN'S economy has been pulled steadily out of the slough into which it had fallen for more than a decade, Japan's corporate sector has been doing almost all the pulling.

The Economist

For liberals, who have defined themselves since the 1930s precisely as the non-socialist left and have spent the past three decades being pulled steadily rightwards, the term is a snowball in the face.

The Economist

India overtook China to top the world in road fatalities in 2006 and has continued to pull steadily ahead, despite a heavily agrarian population, fewer people than China and far fewer cars than many Western countries.

The New York Times

Many midwives are now trained to deliver the baby, give the mother a shot of oxytocin to help her uterus contract, clamp the cord and pull steadily on it to get the placenta out.

The New York Times - Health

Back in Paris gained the lead at the midway point of the 1 1–16‐mile race, run on the turf, and pulled steadily ahead of Director, the favorite who finished second, and Ron chu, third to the wire.

The New York Times

To compound the crisis of identity for male teenagers, Muslim girls are thriving with their new-found opportunities in the UK as they pull steadily ahead of their male counterparts at GCSE level and in the numbers going on to higher education.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or action that requires consistent effort, use "pulling steadily" to emphasize the continuous nature of the force applied. This is especially useful in technical or instructional writing.

Common error

Avoid implying sudden or erratic movements by using "pulling steadily". This phrase specifically suggests a smooth, continuous action. To describe forceful, intermittent motion use phrases like "yanking hard" or "jerking quickly" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pulling steadily" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how the action of pulling is performed. It indicates a continuous and consistent application of force, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pulling steadily" describes a continuous and consistent application of force, often implying control and persistence. It is grammatically correct and categorized as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. While Ludwig confirms its validity, its frequency is rare. The phrase appears in various contexts like news, science, and wiki, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "pulling steadily", it's important to convey a smooth and continuous action, avoiding implications of sudden or erratic movements. Related phrases like "drawing continuously" or "hauling consistently" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drawing continuously

Emphasizes the unbroken nature of the pulling action.

hauling consistently

Highlights the effort involved in moving something heavy.

tugging gradually

Suggests a gentle but persistent pulling motion.

extracting slowly

Implies removing something with a steady pull.

retrieving continuously

Focuses on the act of steadily bringing something back.

dragging continuously

Describes pulling something heavy along a surface without lifting it entirely.

winching gradually

Suggests using a winch to pull something slowly and steadily.

reeling in steadily

Implies using a reel to pull something, such as a fish or a rope.

hoisting continuously

Focuses on raising something with a steady pulling motion.

maneuvering gradually

Suggests carefully guiding something with a steady pull

FAQs

How can I use "pulling steadily" in a sentence?

You can use "pulling steadily" to describe a continuous physical action. For example, "He was "drawing continuously" on the rope, trying to free the trapped animal."

What's the difference between "pulling steadily" and "pulling hard"?

"Pulling steadily" emphasizes a continuous and controlled motion, while "pulling hard" focuses on the force exerted. You might "haul consistently" to maintain progress, but "pull hard" when you need to overcome an obstacle.

Are there synonyms for "pulling steadily"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "tugging gradually", "extracting slowly", or "winching gradually".

Is "pulling steadily" formal or informal?

The phrase "pulling steadily" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.