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“Pull in to” or “pull into”? “Head in to”, “Head into”, “head to”, or “head for”?

English Language & Usage Asked on December 15, 2021

My question may sound weird, but what which of these is correct?

“She pulled in to the parking lot”
“She pulled into the parking lot”

“I was heading for school.”
“I was heading to school.”

“I was heading in to the school”
“I was heading into the school.”

Thanks lots!

2 Answers

To pull in indicates a change of direction: “She pulled into the parking lot” -> “She turned off a particular road and into the parking lot”.

OED

7.b. Of a driver or vehicle: to drive off or to the side of the road, esp. in order to stop.

2001 T. Hanley in M. Hickey Irish Days (2004) 125 This side of Tulla there was a bit of a blind laneway and I'd pull in there and have a flask of tea.

To head = to move in a particular (usually forward) direction

OED:

20. Originally Nautical. With adverb or prepositional phrase.

a. intransitive. To move forwards in a specified direction or towards a particular place or thing. Later also more generally: to go, make one's way. Also transitive: to follow (a course, way, etc.) in a specified direction.

2008 A. Nersesian Sacrificial Circumcision of Bronx 261 Once he had located the address of the Russian embassy in the phone book, he headed over in a cab

Answered by Greybeard on December 15, 2021

"To pull in" is an intransitive phrasal verb. You can just say "Pull in!"

"To pull into" is transitive, you cannot just say "Pull into!", you must pull into something, e.g. "Pull into that car park!"

Answered by chasly - supports Monica on December 15, 2021

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