What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pluck
Example
She plucked a ripe apple from the tree. [pluck: verb]
Example
The farmer plucked the feathers from the chicken. [plucked: past tense]
Example
He plucked up the courage to ask her out on a date. [plucked up: phrasal verb]
pull
Example
He pulled the door open and walked inside. [pull: verb]
Example
She pulled the weeds out of the garden. [pulled: past tense]
Example
The concert pulled in a large crowd. [pulled: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pull is more commonly used than pluck in everyday language. Pull is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pluck is less common and refers to more specific actions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pluck and pull?
Both pluck and pull can be used in various formality levels, but pluck may be considered slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.