close to being picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to being picked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone or something is nearly selected or chosen for a particular purpose or role. Example: "After several rounds of interviews, I felt I was close to being picked for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ms. Mayer would never have come close to being picked.

The New York Times

Barrick Gold, a Canadian firm, came close to being picked by the Indonesian government as a partner.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It seemed like a fair trade, and Uzbek, I had been assured, was sufficiently close to my fluent Turkish to be picked up with ease.

Forbes

Their suitcases were lined up close to the conference hall ready to be picked up and taken in the correct direction.

The Guardian

France does not have a stranglehold on up-and-coming cheeses, although maroilles, a powerful cow's milk cheese from Flanders, bears close watching, and Comté seems to be picking up steam.

The New York Times - Food

Aubrey, the social media marketer from Boston who has managed to find her way up the pecking order despite her closest allies being picked off.

Huffington Post

The opener came from Clint Dempsey, who fired home from close range after being picked out by Bobby Zamora's ball across the box.

BBC

The Tottenham winger had started on the right and moments later Bale went even closer after being picked out by Chris Gunter's lofted pass down the flank.

BBC

Buying food that is closest to being just picked can be challenging, but at least you'll know that it hasn't been sitting on the shelves forever.

Huffington Post

Though he is beloved by analysts, Mr. Heyer has only a 40 to 50percentt chance of being picked, people close to the company said.

The New York Times

Keep a close eye out for other kids being picked on, or anything unfair.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to being picked" when you want to convey that someone or something was almost selected but not quite. This phrase implies a near miss.

Common error

Avoid using "close to being picked" if the selection is already certain. The phrase implies uncertainty and a possibility of not being chosen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to being picked" functions as a descriptive element, often indicating a state of near-selection or near-accomplishment. It modifies a subject, implying proximity to a specific outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to being picked" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that someone or something almost achieved selection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate in various contexts, though it implies a near miss rather than a guaranteed outcome. While alternatives like "nearly selected" or "almost chosen" exist, the original phrase carries a distinct nuance of anticipation. While predominantly found in news and media, it maintains neutrality suitable for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly selected

This alternative directly replaces the entire phrase with a shorter, more concise option.

almost chosen

This alternative utilizes similar verbs to convey the idea of approaching selection.

on the verge of selection

This alternative shifts the structure to emphasize the imminence of the choice.

nearing selection

This uses a gerund to describe the process of approaching selection.

in contention for selection

This highlights that the subject is actively competing to be selected.

a strong candidate for selection

This emphasizes the subject's suitability and likelihood of being selected.

highly considered for selection

This focuses on the high level of attention the subject is receiving.

under serious consideration for selection

This alternative stresses the depth of assessment being applied.

on the shortlist

This implies that the subject has made it to a reduced list of candidates.

in the running

This idiomatic expression suggests active participation and a chance of winning the selection.

FAQs

How can I use "close to being picked" in a sentence?

You can use "close to being picked" to indicate that someone or something was nearly selected for a role or opportunity. For example: "After several interviews, she felt she was "close to being picked" for the lead role."

What are some alternatives to "close to being picked"?

Alternatives include "nearly selected", "almost chosen", or "on the verge of selection". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "close to being picked" in formal writing?

Yes, "close to being picked" is generally appropriate for both formal and informal writing, as it is a fairly neutral expression. However, in highly formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "highly considered".

What does "close to being picked" imply about the final outcome?

"Close to being picked" suggests that the person or thing in question was not ultimately selected. It emphasizes the near miss rather than a guaranteed outcome.