after picking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after picking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action that occurs following the act of selecting or gathering something, such as fruits or items. Example: "After picking the apples from the tree, we decided to make a pie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fruit is not fit to eat immediately after picking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After picking himself up, he declined to cooperate.

The New York Times

Thin-skinned summer squashes are best eaten immediately after picking.

The New York Times

"Wow... la Victoire!" said a beaming Dujardin, after picking up the trophy.

Independent

So, too people like to pawn items after picking up milk or aspirin.

The New York Times

After picking up his award, Fry said: "It's a lucky evening for us.

Independent

After picking, green stays fresh only a few days if not roasted.

The Economist

• After picking the right place, hire some muscle.

Forbes

Please go to the curb after picking up your bag".

TechCrunch

After picking up Hampshire's two remaining wickets, the home side's batsmen lengthened their lead.

BBC

Smalling missed out on England's Euro 2012 squad after picking up his injury in May.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, ensure the action "after picking" directly leads to the next action for clarity. For example, "After picking the apples, immediately store them in a cool place to maintain freshness."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the phrase modified by "after picking" is clearly defined. Incorrect: "After picking, the apples were stored." Correct: "After picking the apples, the farmer stored them immediately."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after picking" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates when an action takes place, specifying that it occurs subsequent to the act of picking or selecting something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, providing various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after picking" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate the timing of an action relative to the act of picking or selecting. As validated by Ludwig AI, its correct usage extends across diverse contexts, ranging from news articles and wikis to scientific publications. It's crucial to ensure that the modified clause is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "following selection" or "subsequent to harvesting" can be used to vary sentence structure while preserving the core meaning. With careful attention to context and clarity, "after picking" can be effectively incorporated into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following selection

Emphasizes the selection process rather than the physical act of picking.

after harvesting

Similar to "subsequent to harvesting" but slightly less formal.

subsequent to harvesting

More formal and often used in agricultural or scientific contexts.

following the harvest

Focuses on the harvest event itself.

once harvested

Highlights the completion of the harvest and the immediate result.

post-collection

A more technical term, frequently used in scientific or research settings.

once the selection is made

Highlights the decision-making aspect of choosing.

upon gathering

Emphasizes the act of gathering items together.

subsequent to the choice

More formal and focuses on the act of choosing something.

after the selection process

Highlights the entire process rather than a single action.

FAQs

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

Use "after picking" to describe an action that follows the act of selecting or gathering something. For example, "After picking the flowers, she arranged them in a vase."

What's a good alternative to "after picking"?

You can use alternatives like "following selection", "subsequent to harvesting", or "once harvested" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "after picking" or "after having picked"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "after picking" is more concise and commonly used. "After having picked" is more emphatic but can sound overly formal in many contexts.

When should I use "after picking" versus "before picking"?

"After picking" describes an action that occurs after the act of selecting or gathering, while "before picking" describes an action that occurs prior to it. For example, "After picking the berries, wash them thoroughly" versus "Before picking the berries, check for thorns".