I picked them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I picked them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to selecting or choosing a group of items or people. Example: "After much consideration, I picked them for the project because of their unique skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I picked them up just by traveling".

The New Yorker

So I picked them up.

The New York Times

I picked them up like that".

The New York Times

I picked them all to be roughly round.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

'I picked them out of the blue,' he said later.

The Guardian

I picked them up out in left field, where I was playing then.

The New York Times - Sports

I picked them especially because they had two bottles of bubbly already open.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I pick them by the sound of the names," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

And the loser is: John Benjamin Hickey, The Big C Can I pick them all to be losers?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If I ever have a spare day, I will walk my daughters to school and work until the end of the school day when I pick them up.

The Guardian - Books

I pick them up one by one and pat them, listen to the "tok", sniff the end and pretend that I know what I'm doing.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I picked them" when you want to convey a straightforward selection of items or people. It is appropriate for both informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear what "them" refers to. If the reference is unclear, specify the items or people being selected to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I picked them" functions as a statement of choice or selection. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples illustrate the phrase being used to describe the act of choosing specific items or people for a particular reason or purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I picked them" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a selection or choice. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. It appears frequently in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the reference of "them" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "I chose them" or "I selected them" for a more formal tone if needed. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for conveying the act of making a selection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I selected them

Replaces "picked" with a more formal synonym, "selected".

I chose them

Uses "chose" as a direct and common alternative to "picked".

I handpicked them

Emphasizes careful and deliberate selection.

I opted for them

Indicates a decision was made in favor of these items or people.

I went with them

Suggests a decision was made to proceed with these items or people.

I favored them

Implies a preference for these items or people over others.

I took them

In certain contexts, "took" can mean "selected" or "chose".

I designated them

Uses "designated" to indicate a formal selection or appointment.

I drew them

Suggests items were selected, potentially at random, from a larger group.

I culled them

Implies a selection process where undesirable elements are removed.

FAQs

What does "I picked them" mean?

The phrase "I picked them" means that you selected or chose a specific group of items or people from a larger set.

What can I say instead of "I picked them"?

You can use alternatives like "I chose them", "I selected them", or "I opted for them" depending on the context.

Is "I picked them" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I picked them" is grammatically correct and widely used in English.

How to use "I picked them" in a sentence?

You can use "I picked them" in sentences like, "I picked them for the team because of their skills", or "I picked them from the shelf at the store".