a picking of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a picking of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a selection or choice of items, often in a context where various options are available. Example: "At the market, there was a picking of fresh fruits and vegetables that caught my eye."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sometimes one is given a picking of grapes from a friend and may only get the one picking and need to store them for future use.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He wanted a pick of fine restaurants.

The New York Times - Travel

Here, nonetheless, is a pick of 10 of the funniest.

The Guardian - Tech

Here is a pick of some of the best comments.

The Guardian

"But this is not a pick of confidence.

The New York Times

"Tesco has defied the retail gloom and delivered a pick of the bunch performance.

The Guardian - Business

Graham is properly partisan, but offers an insight about a "pick of confidence".

The New York Times

Other enticements include the choice of an Army job or a pick of a desirable location for a home post.

The New York Times

First thing of a morning she'd be running at the cars without a pick of food inside her.

The New Yorker

The Aggies' second possession came after a pick of Alabama QB A.J. McCarron, his first interception of the season.

The New York Times

A pick of the best new music with Coinneach Smith.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a picking of" when you want to subtly emphasize the act of gathering or selecting items that might be naturally available, such as fruit or opinions.

Common error

While "a picking of" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "a selection of" or "a choice of" in most contexts to maintain clarity and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a picking of" primarily functions as a determiner phrase, specifically a noun phrase acting as a determiner to modify another noun. It signifies a portion or a selection taken from a larger group. As per Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a picking of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a selection or choice, often implying a careful gathering. While correct, Ludwig shows that its usage is relatively rare and leans towards informal contexts. More common alternatives, such as "a selection of" or "a choice of", might be preferable in formal writing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid but should be used judiciously to maintain natural-sounding language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a selection of

Replaces "picking" with "selection", emphasizing a deliberate choice.

a choice of

Uses "choice" instead of "picking", highlighting the act of choosing.

an assortment of

Emphasizes variety within the selection.

a collection of

Focuses on the group of items gathered.

a sampling of

Suggests a small selection meant to represent a larger whole.

a range of

Highlights the diversity of options available.

a set of

Implies a defined or curated group of items.

a cluster of

Indicates a grouping or bunching together of items.

a handful of

Refers to a small, limited quantity.

a batch of

Suggests a group of items produced or prepared together.

FAQs

What does "a picking of" mean?

The phrase "a picking of" refers to a selection or choice of items, often implying a collection that has been gathered or chosen from a larger group.

How can I use "a picking of" in a sentence?

You can use "a picking of" to describe a selection of items, such as "The farmer offered us "a picking of" the ripest apples".

Which is a better choice, "a picking of" or "a selection of"?

"A selection of" is generally more common and widely understood. "A picking of" can sound slightly archaic or specific to contexts involving gathering natural items.

What are some alternatives to "a picking of"?

Some alternatives include "a choice of", "a selection of", or "an assortment of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.