Pullout vs. Pull Out – Which is Correct?

The distinction between “pullout” and “pull out” lies in their grammatical function. Pullout (one word) is a noun or an adjective, referring to an act of withdrawal or something designed to be pulled out. Pull out (two words) is a phrasal verb meaning to withdraw, extract, or depart.

Pullout or Pull Out – Which is Correct?

Both “pullout” and “pull out” are correct in American English, but they serve different purposes within a sentence. The key difference is their part of speech and, consequently, their meaning.

“Pullout” is a single word that functions either as a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it refers to an act of withdrawing, a retreat, or a component designed to be extracted. As an adjective, it describes something that can be pulled out or is retractable.

“Pull out” consists of two words and is a phrasal verb. This means the verb “pull” is combined with the adverb “out” to create a new meaning, often signifying to withdraw, to extract something, to depart, or to recover from a difficult situation.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, consider the grammatical role you need the word to play.

• If you are describing a thing, an event, or a characteristic, you likely need the single-word pullout (noun or adjective). Think: “a withdrawal,” “a removable item.”
• If you are describing an action, you need the two-word phrasal verb pull out. Think: “to withdraw,” “to extract,” “to depart.”

Swap Test: Try replacing the word with a clear synonym for a noun/adjective or a verb. If “withdrawal” or “removable” fits, use “pullout.” If “withdraw” or “extract” fits, use “pull out.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
pullout	Noun, Adjective	A withdrawal; something designed to be pulled out or retractable.	The military pullout was announced. / We bought a pullout sofa.
pull out	Phrasal Verb	To withdraw, extract, depart, or recover from.	They decided to pull out of the deal. / He had to pull out a splinter.

How to Use Pullout

“Pullout” functions as either a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it refers to the act of withdrawing or a retractable component. This usage is common in formal contexts like military or business discussions, but also in everyday language for furniture or shelving. As an adjective, it modifies another noun, indicating that something can be pulled out or is designed for retraction.

Example 1: The strategic pullout of troops from the region was completed by the deadline.

Example 2: Our new kitchen features several convenient pullout drawers for spices.

Example 3: Investors reacted negatively to the company’s unexpected pullout from the merger talks.

What are the different forms of pullout?

As a noun, “pullout” can be pluralized.

• Singular Noun: pullout (e.g., one pullout)
• Plural Noun: pullouts (e.g., multiple pullouts)

As an adjective, “pullout” does not typically have comparative or superlative forms. It acts as a descriptive modifier.

Etymology of the word pullout

The word “pullout” originated as a compound noun or adjective derived directly from the phrasal verb “pull out.” This process, where a verb phrase becomes a single-word noun or adjective, is common in English and reflects a lexicalization of frequent actions or concepts. Its usage as a noun became more prominent in the mid-20th century, particularly in military and political contexts.

This linguistic evolution is also evident in other common phrases, such as the distinction between Pickup vs. Pick-Up.

How to Use Pull Out

“Pull out” is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe various actions. It can mean to extract something, to withdraw from a situation, to depart, or even to recover from a difficult state. It often requires an object (transitive) but can also be used without one (intransitive), depending on the specific meaning.

Example 1: She had to carefully pull out the thorn from her finger.

Example 2: Our team decided to pull out of the competition due to unforeseen circumstances.

Example 3: The car began to skid, but the experienced driver managed to pull out of it just in time.

What are the different forms of pull out?

As a verb, “pull out” conjugates according to tense, just like other verbs.

• Base Form: pull out (e.g., I will pull out)
• Past Simple: pulled out (e.g., He pulled out)
• Past Participle: pulled out (e.g., They have pulled out)
• Present Participle/Gerund: pulling out (e.g., She is pulling out / The act of pulling out)
• Third-Person Singular Present: pulls out (e.g., He pulls out)

Etymology of the word pull out

The phrasal verb “pull out” combines the verb “pull” with the adverb “out.” “Pull” comes from the Old English word pullian, meaning “to draw, pluck, or drag.” “Out” originates from the Old English word ūt, meaning “forth, away, from, without.” The combination to form a phrasal verb with its distinct meanings developed over time as English evolved, with many phrasal verbs gaining specific idiomatic senses.

Related Concepts

Understanding a few broader grammatical concepts can help solidify the distinction between “pullout” and “pull out.”

• Phrasal Verbs: These are combinations of a verb and an adverb or preposition (or both) that, when used together, take on a meaning different from the original verb. “Pull out” is a prime example, where “pull” and “out” together mean more than just the literal action of pulling something outward.
• Compound Words: These are words formed by combining two or more separate words, often resulting in a new meaning. “Pullout” as a single word is a compound that functions as a noun or adjective, demonstrating how language can condense ideas.
• Parts of Speech: Recognizing whether a word functions as a noun (a person, place, thing, or idea), a verb (an action or state of being), or an adjective (a word that describes a noun) is fundamental to using “pullout” and “pull out” correctly.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “The newspaper reported extensively on the unexpected military pullout from the disputed territory.”
• “With a sigh of relief, he managed to pull out the stubborn nail from the old wooden plank.”
• “Her new desk features a handy pullout keyboard tray, maximizing workspace.”
• “It’s crucial for businesses to know when to pull out of a declining market.”
• “The protagonist had to pull out all the stops to save the day in the final chapter.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The team decided to __________ of the championship due to injuries.
2. We need to install a new __________ pantry in the kitchen.
3. The government announced a phased __________ of its forces.
4. Can you help me __________ this heavy drawer?
5. It took a lot of effort to __________ the car from the mud.

Answer Key

1. pull out
2. pullout
3. pullout
4. pull out
5. pull out

Pullout Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Withdrawal	The act of taking something away or stopping participation.
Retreat	An act of moving back or withdrawing.
Extraction	The action of taking something out, especially using effort or force.
Removal	The action of taking something away.

Pull Out Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Withdraw	To remove or take away; to cease participation.
Extract	To remove or take out, especially by effort or force.
Depart	To leave, especially to start a journey.
Remove	To take away or off from the position occupied.
Evacuate	To remove (someone or something) from a place of danger to a safer place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “pullout” ever a verb?
No, “pullout” (one word) is exclusively used as a noun or an adjective. The verb form is always the two-word phrasal verb “pull out.”

Question 2: Can “pull out” ever be a noun?
While the phrase “pull out” itself is a verb, you might see it as part of a noun phrase, such as “the act of pulling out.” However, as a standalone noun, you should use “pullout.”

Question 3: What’s the easiest way to remember the difference in everyday writing?
If you’re describing an action, use the two-word verb “pull out.” If you’re describing a thing or a characteristic of a thing, use the one-word noun or adjective “pullout.” Think “action = two words” and “thing = one word.”

Conclusion

The distinction between “pullout” (one word) and “pull out” (two words) hinges entirely on their grammatical function. “Pullout” serves as a noun or an adjective, referring to a withdrawal or something retractable. “Pull out” is a phrasal verb, indicating the action of withdrawing, extracting, or departing. Mastering this difference enhances clarity and precision in your writing.

Pro Tip: Always consider the role the word plays in your sentence. Using the correct form demonstrates attention to detail and reinforces your professional reputation as a clear and competent communicator.