Phrasal verb
pull over
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
pull over
Past
pulled over
Past participle
pulled over
Definition
phrasal verb. to move your car to the side of the road and stop. You do this to let another car pass or if the police signal you to stop.
phrasal verb. to move a vehicle to the side of or off the road and stop. It functions intransitively for the driver's own action or transitively when an officer directs a motorist to stop.
Examples
“I had to pull over because my phone was ringing.”
“The police officer signaled for the driver to pull over after he saw the broken taillight.”
“Realizing the engine was overheating, the truck driver managed to pull over onto the narrow shoulder just before the vehicle stalled completely.”
Examples
simple
“I had to pull over because my phone was ringing.”
contextual
“The police officer signaled for the driver to pull over after he saw the broken taillight.”
complex
“Realizing the engine was overheating, the truck driver managed to pull over onto the narrow shoulder just before the vehicle stalled completely.”
Usage
often used with 'to the side' or 'on the shoulder' to specify the location.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'pull out', which means to move into a lane of traffic; this pair is essential for describing driving maneuvers.
Pitfall
The police pulled over him.
The police pulled him over.
when 'pull over' takes a pronoun object, the pronoun must be placed between the verb and the particle.
Phrasal verb
Particles
over
Separability
optional
Pattern
pull (+ object) + over
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 2
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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