0
GainRain Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Pull On/Against

Let's say I am at a door that has handle and I want to open the door:

"I pulled on the handle."
"I pulled against the handle."

How are they different?
  

Top answer

The first sentence is correct. " The only time you might say this would be, for example, if you're describing a harrowing situation and you want to emphasize that the act of opening a door is not something you can easily do: "I woke up in a darkened room. My head still ached from the terrible blow I had received.

— Anonymous

  • The first sentence is correct.
  • " The only time you might say this would be, for example, if you're describing a harrowing situation and you want to emphasize that the act of opening a door is not something you can easily do: "I woke up in a darkened room.
  • My head still ached from the terrible blow I had received.
  • I tried to get up but couldn't.
  • I started crawling along the floor until I reached a wall.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
The first sentence is correct. You would rarely say, "I pulled against the handle." The only time you might say this would be, for example, if you're describing a harrowing situation and you want to emphasize that the act of opening a door is not something you can easily do:

"I woke up in a darkened room. My head still ached from the terrible blow I had received. I tried to get up bu
0
0
So, "pull against" is wrong except when one is in grave danger?
0
0
GainRainSo, "pull against" is wrong except when one is in grave danger?
like kidnapping?
0

Related Questions