What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pulling
Example
She was pulling the heavy suitcase behind her. [pulling: verb]
Example
The horse was pulling the carriage with ease. [pulling: gerund or present participle]
tugging
Example
He was tugging at his shirt collar, trying to loosen it. [tugging: verb]
Example
The child kept tugging on her mother's sleeve, asking for a toy. [tugging: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pulling is more commonly used than tugging in everyday language. Pulling is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while tugging is less common and tends to be used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pulling and tugging?
Both pulling and tugging are relatively informal terms that can be used in casual conversation. However, pulling may be slightly more formal than tugging due to its wider range of uses and neutral connotation.
