already picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that was previously obtained. For example, "I've already picked up the groceries from the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We have already picked up dozens more.

The Guardian

Vale has, in fact, already picked up some from Rio.

The Economist

And infrastructure investment, which has already picked up, will revive industries like cement.

The Economist

They've already picked up too flags and waived off penalties after huddling to discuss it.

The New York Times

One thing that I have already picked up from this experiment is the monotony of research work.

Cornell University

If someone forgot that it was Mother's Day, Unique had already picked up an extra card.

The Washington Post

The doctor, Mohamed Bashir, said they had already picked up three dead people that morning.

The Guardian

If it is, then Hillary Clinton has already picked up on the scent.

The Washington Post

Hip early adopters had already picked up on the coming, er, rosé wave.

The Washington Post

"I believe so, because other candidates have already picked up some of my ideas," she said.

The New York Times

Launched in March 2010, it has already picked up a couple of editorial awards (example here).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already picked up" to indicate that an action of collecting or acquiring something has been completed before a specific point in time. For example: "She had already picked up the groceries before I arrived."

Common error

Avoid using "already picked up" when you mean to describe an ongoing action. Instead, use a continuous tense like "already picking up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already picked up" typically functions as a part of the verb phrase within a sentence. It indicates a completed action in the past, where something has been collected or acquired. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already picked up" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that an action of collecting or acquiring something has been completed before a certain time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. While versatile, it is important to use the correct tense and avoid confusion with similar-sounding phrases like "already picking up". As demonstrated by the numerous examples, it is most frequently used in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and scientific writing. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate "already picked up" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had already picked up

Emphasizes the sequence of events in the past.

already gathered

Replaces "picked up" with a synonym that suggests collecting things together.

already collected

Similar to "already gathered", this implies a more formal or organized collection.

already obtained

Focuses on the act of acquiring something, often through effort or a specific process.

already received

Emphasizes that something has been taken into possession.

already taken

A more general term indicating that something has been removed or acquired.

already retrieved

Implies a more specific or deliberate action to recover something.

already secured

Suggests that something has been made safe or certain to be obtained.

already learned

Indicates that information or a skill has been acquired.

already understood

Indicates a comprehension of something.

FAQs

How do I use "already picked up" in a sentence?

Use "already picked up" to indicate that something has been collected or acquired before a specific time. For example: "I had "already picked up" the tickets when you called."

What are some alternatives to "already picked up"?

You can use alternatives like "already gathered", "already collected", or "already obtained" depending on the context. For example, you might say, "I had "already collected" the data."

Is it correct to say "already pick up" instead of "already picked up"?

No, "already pick up" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts where you intend to convey a completed action in the past. The correct form is "already picked up", using the past participle of "pick". For example "She has "already picked up" the package" is correct.

What is the difference between "already picked up" and "already taking up"?

"Already picked up" refers to collecting something physically or metaphorically, while "already taking up" refers to occupying space or time. They are not interchangeable. For example, "I've "already picked up" the kids from school," versus "That project is "already taking up" too much of my time."