being picked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being picked for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to being selected or chosen for a specific role, position, or opportunity. Example: "I was thrilled about being picked for the lead role in the school play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Westlife singer Kian Egan narrowly escaped being picked for the challenge.

Independent

Being picked for Queensland and Australia probably made his career – it means a lot to him".

The Guardian - Sport

One good indicator is being picked for end-of-season or all-star teams.

The New York Times

Congratulations on being picked for top cop on the financial markets beat.

The New York Times

"They know part of being picked for the Queensland team is setting the right example.

The Guardian - Sport

Grade: 3 Tim Ream After not being picked for national team, the match seemed to have his full attention.

The New York Times

(Answer: no)." Hamish Rutherford's debut was actually the first instance of a hologram being picked for a Test match, Edmund.

The Guardian - Sport

If he stayed with us [rather than being picked for the World Cup] I think he might be still here.

The Guardian - Sport

Before being picked for WellPoint's top job in June 2007, Ms. Braly worked as both a corporate executive and the company's general counsel.

The New York Times

It's like playing for Tranmere Rovers and being picked for England.' By this time we were in the chip shop at the bottom of our road.

Independent

He gave a speech in which he recounted being picked for Homecoming Court, even though he and Julia are "ridiculously, openly queer".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competitive process, "being picked for" can effectively highlight the element of choice and desirability. For instance, "She was thrilled about "being picked for" the national team after years of training" emphasizes her achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "being picked for" interchangeably with phrases that imply obligation rather than selection, such as "being assigned to". The latter suggests a lack of choice, altering the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being picked for" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action of selection. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use across various contexts, from sports teams to job roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

The Guardian - Sport

15%

The New York Times

10%

Less common in

BBC

5%

Huffington Post

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being picked for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone or something has been selected for a specific purpose, role, or opportunity. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. While generally neutral in tone, "being picked for" can be replaced with more formal alternatives like "being selected for" or "being chosen for" in certain contexts. Its usage is prevalent in News & Media, sports reporting, and general discussions. Common mistakes involve confusing it with phrases implying obligation rather than choice. Mastering its use helps ensure clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being selected for

Uses "selected" instead of "picked", offering a slightly more formal tone.

being chosen for

Replaces "picked" with "chosen", providing a neutral alternative.

getting selected for

Uses "getting" instead of "being", resulting in a more informal tone.

being appointed to

Implies a more official selection, often for a specific role or position.

being designated for

Suggests selection for a particular purpose or assignment.

being named to

Indicates a formal announcement of selection, often in sports or professional settings.

being drafted into

Often used in contexts involving teams or military service.

being tapped for

Suggests a less formal, often behind-the-scenes selection.

being headhunted for

Specifically implies being recruited for a role, usually in a professional context.

qualifying for

Focuses on meeting the requirements for selection.

FAQs

What does "being picked for" mean?

The phrase "being picked for" means to be selected or chosen for something, like a team, a role, or an opportunity.

What can I say instead of "being picked for"?

You can use alternatives like "being selected for", "being chosen for", or "being appointed to" depending on the context.

Is "being picked for" formal or informal?

The phrase "being picked for" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For more formal situations, consider using "being selected for" or "being chosen for".

How to use "being picked for" in a sentence?

You can use "being picked for" in a sentence like: "She was excited about "being picked for" the lead role in the play" or "His hard work resulted in him "being picked for" the national team".