continue to pick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continue to pick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of persisting in selecting or choosing something, often in a context where choices are being made repeatedly. Example: "Despite the challenges, we will continue to pick the best candidates for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Forbes

BBC

TechCrunch

HuffPost

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

McNair's family and friends, however, continue to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives.

The New York Times - Sports

The celebrity tabloids continue to pick apart Tom Cruise; moviegoers continue not to care.

The New York Times

I'm going to try to continue to pick up where I left off last game".

The New York Times - Sports

At the moment, carriers continue to pick up mail there as well.

The New York Times

In the years to come we hope to continue to pick up on the inspiration factor.

The Guardian

Some users viewed Uber's decision to continue to pick up passengers as an attempt at profiteering.

The Washington Post

The left distrusted that distinction and the right misappropriated it, while philosophers continue to pick it over.

The Economist

So, provided economic growth can be sustained, ad spending may continue to pick up.How will the money be spent?

The Economist

Until then, the huge generators at the Yokosuka power plant will continue to pick up the slack, fumes notwithstanding.

The New York Times

"This pressure on families is unsustainable; carers cannot continue to pick up the pieces of a care system in crisis.

The Guardian

I also expect the parent-led "opt out of standardized testing" movement to continue to pick up steam.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continue to pick", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being chosen or selected and why the action is ongoing. This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's overall impact.

Common error

Avoid using "continue to pick" with vague qualifiers like "things" or "items" without specifying what these things or items are. Be specific about the objects of selection to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to pick" functions as a verb phrase indicating the ongoing action of selecting or choosing something. It expresses a sustained effort or process in making choices, as seen in Ludwig's examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Forbes

10%

BBC

7%

Less common in

TechCrunch

5%

HuffPost

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continue to pick" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies an ongoing selection process. According to Ludwig, it is most prevalent in news and media contexts but is applicable across various registers. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify the objects being selected. While alternatives like "keep selecting" and "persist in choosing" exist, "continue to pick" remains a versatile and reliable choice for expressing sustained selection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep selecting

Replaces "continue" with "keep", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the selection process. The grammatical structure remains similar.

persist in choosing

Substitutes "continue" with "persist", highlighting determination in making choices. The term "pick" is replaced by "choosing".

carry on selecting

Uses "carry on" instead of "continue", indicating the uninterrupted continuation of the selection.

maintain selection

Implies the continuation of a selection process, but with a focus on maintaining a consistent choice.

sustain picking

Highlights the action of picking with an emphasis on the duration of the action.

go on choosing

Replaces "continue" with "go on", indicating the continuous nature of choosing something.

keep up selection

Substitutes "continue" with "keep up", emphasizing the importance of maintaining the action of selecting.

hold on to picking

This emphasizes the idea of clinging to the act of picking, or not giving it up.

perpetuate choice

Emphasizes making a specific choice and continuing to maintain the same choice over time.

extend selection

Suggests that the act of selecting is prolonged or expanded over a period of time.

FAQs

How can I use "continue to pick" in a sentence?

You can use "continue to pick" to describe an ongoing selection process, such as "We will "continue to pick" the best candidates for the team" or "The company will "continue to pick" up new clients in the coming months".

What are some alternatives to "continue to pick"?

Some alternatives include "keep selecting", "persist in choosing", or "carry on selecting". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "continues to pick" instead of "continue to pick"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Continue to pick" is used with plural subjects or "I" and "you", while "continues to pick" is used with singular subjects. For example: "They "continue to pick" the best apples," versus "He "continues to pick" the best apples".

What does it mean to "continue to pick up steam"?

The phrase "continue to pick up steam" means to gain momentum or increase in popularity or intensity. For instance, "The project will "continue to pick" up steam as more resources are allocated".