tugging gradually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tugging gradually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slow or gentle pulling action, often in a physical or metaphorical context. Example: "She was tugging gradually on the rope, trying to pull the heavy object closer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Earth's gravity tugging on this evolving lopsidedness gradually triggered a shift in the moon's polar axis, the researchers say.

Science Magazine

This cockeyed orbit means that Planet Nine's gravitational forces have been tugging on the other planets in a way that has gradually caused their orbital plane to shift.

Huffington Post

The comedy should tug the audience along, gradually revealing its underlying acerbity: an attack on Thatcherite sanctification of greed.

The Guardian

And was like tugging.

The New Yorker

Clare is tugging me forward.

The New Yorker

No more twisting or tugging.

The New York Times

Understanding manual tugging.

WikiHow

Avoid tugging your eyelashes.

WikiHow

Tugging on an antennae.

WikiHow

The case for waiting, following the central bank's previous move, in November when it tugged down its main lending rate from 0.5% to 0.25%, was that a burgeoning recovery would gradually start to counter disinflationary forces by eroding excess capacity (output at the end of last year was 2% lower than its peak in early 2008).

The Economist

Tug, snip, tug, snip.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tugging gradually" to describe a slow, gentle, and continuous pulling action, whether physical or metaphorical. For instance, 'The economy was "tugging gradually" out of recession.'

Common error

Avoid using "tugging gradually" when describing a sudden, forceful pull. This phrase implies a gentle and slow progression, not an abrupt action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tugging gradually" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action (tugging) is performed. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable, although not exceptionally common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tugging gradually" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe a slow and gentle pulling action. While Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, the phrase is relatively rare. Its primary function is to convey a sense of progressive and continuous movement, suitable for neutral to descriptive writing. Alternatives such as "gently pulling" or "slowly drawing" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. Remember to use "tugging gradually" when the emphasis is on the gradual and gentle nature of the pulling action, and avoid it when describing sudden or forceful pulls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressively tugging

Replaces 'gradually' with 'progressively', highlighting the incremental nature of the tugging.

drawing incrementally

Highlights the incremental manner of the drawing action.

gently pulling

Focuses on the gentleness of the pulling action, omitting the gradual aspect.

slowly drawing

Emphasizes the slowness of the drawing motion, similar to "gradually".

pulling bit by bit

Emphasizes the piecemeal nature of the pulling action.

inching along

Suggests movement in small increments, implying a gradual pulling.

carefully drawing

Highlights the care and precision involved in the drawing motion.

gradual pull

Reverses the word order, placing emphasis on the pulling action itself as gradual.

easing along

Implies a smooth and gentle progression while pulling.

steady pull

Focuses on a consistent pulling action that increases over time.

FAQs

What does "tugging gradually" mean?

The phrase "tugging gradually" describes a pulling action that is performed slowly and gently over a period of time. It suggests a progressive, rather than sudden, movement.

How can I use "tugging gradually" in a sentence?

You can use "tugging gradually" to describe a physical action, such as "She was "tugging gradually" on the rope to avoid startling the animal." It can also be used metaphorically, for example: "The new policies were "tugging gradually" at the company's established culture".

What are some alternatives to "tugging gradually"?

Alternatives include "gently pulling", "slowly drawing", or "inching along", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "tugging gradually" formal or informal?

"Tugging gradually" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it may be more common in descriptive or narrative writing.