can pick and choose from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can pick and choose from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing options or selections available to someone, indicating that they have the freedom to select what they prefer. Example: "In this course, students can pick and choose from a variety of topics to focus on for their final project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

You can pick and choose from the many stalls there.

The New York Times - Travel

I don't think we can pick and choose from the menu of the new technology like fastidious gourmets.

The Guardian - Books

But people like me, who can pick and choose from among the city's cooler climes, are not the real targets of these programs.

The New York Times

From Oct. 4 through 13, festivalgoers can pick and choose from two weekends of food-fermentation classes; advice on beekeeping and vermiculture; and lectures like "Cultivating Your Dream Livelihood" and "So, You Bought a Farm.

The New York Times

Improvisational millennialism has thrived in the Internet age, in which people like Ben Shoucair can pick and choose from various sources, fashioning for themselves a sort of bespoke spirituality.

The New Yorker

And smartphones should come with a selection of services pre-installed which users can pick and choose from, he adds, rather than being offered only a default set from Google.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Opponents retort that a judge who thinks he can pick and choose precedents from anywhere to buttress his arguments is allowing himself vast latitude to make up the law as he goes along.Mr Kennedy's views matter because, sandwiched between four conservatives and four liberals, he is almost always on the winning side.

The Economist

You can pick and choose accounts from these to check out, but oddly you can't just "subscribe all" and read an entire curated feed.

TechCrunch

Challengers can pick and choose their critiques from this menu based on what might resonate the most in a particular district.

The New York Times

He envisions what he calls a multiversity, with hundreds of campuses interconnected through public and private hosted clouds on the EdCast platform so that students can pick and choose a curriculum from the best courses on offer at major institutions around the U.S. and around the world.

TechCrunch

They can pick and choose what they want from the global marketplace of ideas, without committing themselves to expensive subscriptions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can pick and choose from", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria for selection. This helps your audience understand the basis upon which choices are made and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "can pick and choose from" excessively in formal writing, as it can sound informal. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "can select from" or "have the option to select from" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can pick and choose from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the ability or right to select specific items or options from a larger group. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. Examples show its use in various contexts, from selecting food to choosing services.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can pick and choose from" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the ability to select freely from a range of options. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. While it is suitable for most contexts, slightly more formal alternatives such as "can select from" may be preferred in highly formal writing. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media sources, indicating its broad applicability and understanding. When using this phrase, ensure the selection criteria are clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can select from

More formal and concise, removing the colloquial "pick and choose".

can choose from

Shorter and more direct, omitting "pick" for simplicity.

can opt to select from

Adds emphasis on the act of making a choice.

have the option to choose from

Highlights the availability of choice as a feature.

are able to select from

Focuses on the ability or capacity to make a selection.

can cherry-pick from

Implies selecting only the best or most desirable options.

can hand-pick from

Suggests a careful and deliberate selection process.

can single out from

Focuses on selecting specific items from a larger group.

have discretion to select from

Emphasizes the freedom and authority to make choices.

are free to choose from

Highlights the unrestricted nature of the selection process.

FAQs

What does "can pick and choose from" mean?

The phrase "can pick and choose from" means having the ability or opportunity to select specific items or options from a larger set. It implies a degree of freedom and preference in making those choices.

How to use "can pick and choose from" in a sentence?

You can use "can pick and choose from" when you want to indicate that someone has a variety of options available and the liberty to select those that best suit their needs or preferences. For instance: "Students "can pick and choose from" a wide range of elective courses."

What can I say instead of "can pick and choose from"?

You can use alternatives like "can select from", "can choose from", or "have the option to choose from" depending on the context.

Is "can pick and choose from" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "can pick and choose from" may sound informal in some formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "can select from" or "have the option to select from" to maintain a more professional tone.