What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dragged
Example
He dragged the heavy box across the room. [dragged: past tense]
Example
She was dragged to the party by her friends. [dragged: past participle]
pulled
Example
He pulled the door open with all his strength. [pulled: past tense]
Example
The teacher pulled the student aside to talk to them. [pulled: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pulled is more commonly used than dragged in everyday language. Pulled is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dragged is less common and often used in specific situations where something heavy or unwieldy needs to be moved.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dragged and pulled?
Both dragged and pulled are relatively informal words, but pulled can be used in more formal contexts due to its versatility and wider range of meanings.