Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

before picking late

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before picking late" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to making a choice or decision prior to a late time or deadline, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "You should consider your options carefully before picking late in the evening."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For quantifying endomitotic oocytes, animals were maintained at 25° for least 48 hr before picking late L4 larvae or young (pre-gravid) adults.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I'd much rather be picking late".

News & Media

The New York Times

I was upset when I got picked late.

LeBron James, who struggled for much of the game before picking up some late baskets, tangled with Golden State's Draymond Green and then Curry in separate incidents.

The Welshman, who has played a big part in getting Tottenham to the quarter-finals, had only just recovered from a back injury before picking up his latest knock.

News & Media

Independent

He had only returned to full training last week before picking up his latest injury.

News & Media

BBC

I read Montaigne in the late afternoons, before picking up my children and cooking dinner for the family.

Lumet was nominated for the best director Oscar on four separate occasions between the late 50s and early 80s before picking up an honorary Academy Award in 2005.

Jones surveys her audience before picking targets.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Consult at least five brokers before picking.

News & Media

Forbes

We performed several tests before picking the appropriate count model.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing timing and selection, clarify the context. Instead of using the phrase "before picking late", specify what needs to be done before making a selection at a later time.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the criteria or conditions that must be met before a selection is made, rather than vaguely alluding to a "late" pick.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before picking late" functions as a prepositional phrase, but its grammatical correctness and clarity are questionable. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is not correct. Its primary function would be to indicate a temporal relationship between an action and a specific time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before picking late" is grammatically questionable and lacks clarity in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is not correct. While the intent might be to advise considering options before making a selection at a later time, the phrasing is awkward and not consistently supported by authoritative sources. It is better to use alternatives like "before making a late choice" or "prior to selecting late" for improved clarity. When aiming for formal or professional communication, avoid this phrase in favor of more precise language.

FAQs

What does "before picking late" mean?

The phrase "before picking late" is grammatically awkward and lacks a clearly defined meaning. It might refer to making a choice prior to a late time, but it's not a standard English expression.

How can I rephrase "before picking late" to be more clear?

Consider using alternatives such as "before making a late choice" or "prior to selecting late" to convey your intended meaning more effectively.

Is it correct to say "before picking late" in formal writing?

No, it's not advisable to use "before picking late" in formal writing. It's better to opt for more precise and grammatically sound phrases.

What's a more common way to express the idea of making a selection with a delay?

Instead of "before picking late", try phrases like "consider all options "before making a final decision"" or "evaluate thoroughly "before selecting the final candidate"".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: