an easy pick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an easy pick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is simple to choose or select, often implying that the choice is obvious or straightforward. Example: "In this game, the winning team was clearly an easy pick for the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

It's an easy pick for a weekend afternoon.

The New York Times

I arrived around dinnertime, and checked into Hostal del Cardenal, a hotel that was an easy pick out of my guidebook because of its location: it's literally built into the old city wall.

The New York Times - Travel

Late in the third, he had an easy pick on an underthrown pass by Lindley, who was under pressure from the pass rush and throwing off his back foot.

The New York Times - Sports

No. 10 Georgia over No. 7 Washington is an easy pick because the Huskies have to fly across the country to Charlotte, N.C., after beating Arizona in overtime Saturday night in the Pacific-10 tournament championship game.

The New York Times

Dustin Pedroia, the Boston Red Sox' second baseman, was an easy pick for American League rookie of the year, while Ryan Braun barely edged Troy Tulowitzki for the National League honor yesterday.

The New York Times

Rivera is second in the league in saves and would seem to be an easy pick as perhaps the sport's most dominating closer, but Rivera, like Clemens, would be just as pleased if he were left off the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Exploiting the fear of refugees has been an easy picking for far-right political parties across Europe.

HuffPost

Can't Decide Between A Live Wedding Band And A DJ? Easy: Pick Neither.

HuffPost

"I threw a pretty easy pick there which I shouldn't have, obviously, and we just couldn't go anywhere from there.

Los Angeles Times

Left tackle Russell Okung, who was correctly slotted at No. 6 to the Seattle Seahawks, was a very easy pick for Kiper to make, noting that, "Okung gains value because he should be able to take over the position immediately.

Huffington Post

Read a few pages and if the book is too easy pick a thicker book.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an easy pick", ensure the context clearly establishes why the selection is straightforward. Providing a brief explanation can enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "an easy pick" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound too casual. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "an obvious selection" or "a straightforward choice" to maintain a professional demeanor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an easy pick" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun to indicate something simple or obvious to select. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, highlighting its role in denoting a clear and uncomplicated choice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an easy pick" is a commonly used phrase to describe something that is simple and obvious to choose. Ludwig AI analysis reveals it's grammatically correct and finds frequent use in News & Media and Wiki contexts, with a neutral to informal register. While perfectly acceptable, writers should consider the formality of their context and opt for alternatives like "a simple choice" or "an obvious selection" in more professional settings. Remember to provide context when using "an easy pick" to ensure clarity and avoid overuse in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a simple choice

Replaces 'pick' with 'choice', focusing on the simplicity of the selection.

an obvious selection

Substitutes 'easy' with 'obvious' and 'pick' with 'selection', emphasizing the clear and apparent nature of the choice.

a straightforward option

Replaces the phrase with an emphasis on something direct and uncomplicated.

a no-brainer

An idiomatic expression indicating a decision that requires little to no thought.

a clear winner

Highlights the certainty of victory or superiority in a selection.

an effortless selection

Focuses on the lack of effort required in making the choice.

a cinch to choose

Uses the word 'cinch' to denote something very easy to do or achieve.

a piece of cake

An informal idiom meaning something is very easy to do.

an elementary decision

Emphasizes the basic and uncomplicated nature of the decision.

a walk in the park

Idiom indicating something is very easy and enjoyable.

FAQs

How can I use "an easy pick" in a sentence?

You can use "an easy pick" to describe a choice that is obvious or requires little effort. For example, "Given his qualifications, he was "an easy pick" for the job."

What are some alternatives to "an easy pick"?

Alternatives include "a simple choice", "an obvious selection", or "a straightforward option", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "an easy pick" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "an easy pick" might be considered too informal for certain formal contexts. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "a clear preference" or "a direct selection".

What does "an easy pick" imply about the choice?

It implies that the choice is obvious, requires little deliberation, and is generally straightforward due to clear advantages or suitability.