been picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something (or someone) has been taken away, either by someone or something else. For example: "The package had been picked up by the mailman."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It has been picked up everywhere".

The Guardian

Now "Two-Shade" has been picked up by Sunnyside.

The New York Times - Arts

("Journeys With George" has just been picked up by HBO).

The New York Times

"She must have been picked up here in Miami somewhere.

The New York Times

"I've been picked up mostly by Top 40.

The New York Times - Style

It hasn't been picked up for American distribution.

The New York Times - Arts

Several large objects have been picked up on sonar.

The Guardian

His cancer could and should have been picked up sooner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At the same time, asylum-seekers have been picked up as security threats in several countries.

The Economist

He'd been picked up for smoking marijuana in a park after dark.

The New Yorker

This could have been picked up much earlier, he said in an interview.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been picked up" to indicate that something or someone has been collected, acquired, or noticed, especially after a period of waiting or searching. For example, "The project has been picked up by a major studio."

Common error

Avoid using "been picked up" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The information has been picked up by several news outlets," consider "Several news outlets have picked up the information."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been picked up" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject has received an action. It usually signifies collection, selection, or apprehension by an external agent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been picked up" is a versatile phrasal verb widely used to indicate collection, selection, or acquisition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showing its prevalence across diverse contexts like news, science, and general conversation. While its register is generally neutral, avoiding overuse in formal settings can enhance clarity. Remember, prefer active voice when possible. Using alternatives such as "been selected" or "been acquired" can refine the message depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been selected

Focuses specifically on the act of choosing something from a group.

been chosen

Similar to "been selected", but can also imply a sense of destiny or fate.

been acquired

Emphasizes the gaining of possession or control of something.

been apprehended

Implies capturing or arresting someone, specifically.

been taken into custody

More formal way of saying someone has been arrested or detained.

been discovered

Highlights the finding of something previously unknown or hidden.

been noticed

Indicates that something has come to someone's attention.

been identified

Focuses on recognizing or establishing the identity of something or someone.

been collected

Emphasizes the gathering of multiple items into a group.

been received

Highlights the act of getting something, such as a message or package.

FAQs

How can I use "been picked up" in a sentence?

You can use "been picked up" to indicate that something has been collected, like "The trash hasn't "been picked up" yet". Or, it can mean someone has been arrested: "He'd "been picked up" for a minor offense".

What's a synonym for "been picked up"?

Alternatives to "been picked up" include "been selected", "been chosen", or "been acquired", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

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

No, the correct form is "has been picked up". The past participle "picked" is required after "been". "Has been pick up" is grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean when a TV show "has been picked up"?

When a TV show "has been picked up", it means that a network or streaming service has decided to produce and broadcast the show, typically after a pilot episode or initial pitch has been evaluated.