to be pulled over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be pulled over" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase usually refers to a situation in which a police officer pulls a vehicle over to the side of the road for questioning or inspection. For example: "Yesterday I got pulled over for speeding and ended up with a costly ticket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be pulled over or to be overtaken is humiliating.

The New Yorker

My kids are American, yet they look Hispanic, so are they going to be pulled over and questioned too?

The Guardian

One study found Hispanics in one part of Maricopa County were nine times as likely to be pulled over for the same traffic infraction as non-Latinos.

The New York Times - Magazine

Those who took multiple tests were also significantly less likely to be pulled over for dangerous driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Independent

I feel like every time I go into Hamden, I'm going to be pulled over, because I've seen it too many times.

The New York Times

It is his talent for rugby that caused him, not so long ago, to be pulled over by police in his Range Rover in Richmond, the officers of the impression that he had stolen it.

Independent

Zipcar did not pay its E-ZPass bill on time, causing its customers to be pulled over by bridge and tunnel officers to have their E-ZPass transponders confiscated.

The New York Times

In fact, black women are more likely to be pulled over for pretext stops than are white men, despite the fact that white men carry guns and commit violent crimes at much higher rates than black women do.

The Guardian

Further, black drivers could disproportionately drive in areas with a larger police presence, so they're more likely to be pulled over than white drivers in less policed areas even without racial profiling by the police.

The Washington Post

But when they are carrying out investigatory or pretext stops, they are much more likely to stop black and other minority drivers: black people are about two-and-a-half times more likely to be pulled over for pretext stops.

The Guardian

Jones is black, which is not surprising given federal statistics showing that black drivers are about thirty-one per cent more likely to be pulled over than white drivers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of different verbs. "To be pulled over" is common, but "to be detained" suggests a more serious situation.

Common error

Avoid using "to be pulled over" when you mean someone actively caused the stop. Instead of "He was to be pulled over by the police", which is grammatically awkward, use "The police were going to pull him over."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be pulled over" functions as a passive construction, describing the action of a vehicle being stopped by law enforcement. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. It typically appears as part of a larger clause detailing circumstances or consequences of the stop, as seen in numerous Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be pulled over" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe when a vehicle is stopped by law enforcement. According to Ludwig AI, it's predominantly found in News & Media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its usage can convey different communicative purposes, such as reporting an event or expressing concerns. When using the phrase, it's crucial to consider alternatives to convey nuance and specify the reasons for the stop. Understanding these nuances and avoiding common errors can greatly enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be stopped by the police

Replaces "pulled over" with a more formal and direct term, suitable for official reports or serious discussions.

to be subjected to a traffic stop

Emphasizes the procedure itself, focusing on the legal aspect of the interaction.

to be apprehended by law enforcement

Uses more formal language, implying a more significant reason for the stop.

to be halted by the authorities

A more formal alternative, suitable for legal or official contexts.

to be detained during a traffic violation

Focuses on detention as a result of a traffic violation.

to be intercepted by the police

Implies a deliberate act of stopping someone, often in connection to suspicion of wrongdoing.

to be flagged down

Implies a less formal stop, perhaps for a minor infraction or inquiry.

to be searched during a stop

Highlights a search during the traffic stop, indicating a more serious interaction.

to be subject to a police check

Suggests a routine or random check, rather than a response to a specific infraction.

to get a ticket

Focuses on the outcome of the stop, specifically receiving a traffic violation.

FAQs

What does it mean "to be pulled over"?

When a driver is "to be pulled over", it means a law enforcement officer has directed them to stop their vehicle, usually to investigate a possible traffic violation or other issue.

What can I say instead of "to be pulled over"?

Alternatives include "to be stopped by the police", "to be subjected to a traffic stop", or "to be flagged down", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is "to be pulled over" formal or informal?

The phrase "to be pulled over" is generally considered neutral in formality. It's suitable for everyday conversation and news reporting. More formal alternatives exist, such as "to be detained by law enforcement".

Why are certain drivers more likely "to be pulled over"?

Data suggests that certain demographic groups are statistically more likely "to be pulled over". This disparity is often attributed to factors like racial profiling or disproportionate policing in certain areas. Keep in mind there may be other factors, and statistics do not represent everyone's individual experiences.