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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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face picked

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face picked" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a situation where someone has chosen or selected a face, but without additional context, it is unclear when to use it. Example: "After much deliberation, the artist finally decided on the face picked for the sculpture."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Closer to hand, there was the ticktock of my mother's bedside clock in the next room, a little white face picked out in silver numerals and girded by blue sapphires.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Many of the women, who had traveled from as far away as California, were armed with glossy headshots and gauzy dreams of being the one face picked from a crowd of thousands, and the worst part of the day was not getting pushed or knocked over, but missing their shot at the spotlight.

News & Media

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We were riding far up in the country, in the same neighborhoods where my grandmother hid under blankets to hide her face, picking up white kids whose shirts always seemed too thin and their pants too short.

News & Media

The New York Times

Sure, my co-judge, the doyenne of Radio 4's Food Programme, Sheila Dillon, and I got to sample some magnificent products, and learn about some inspiring food entrepreneurs, but, once we'd travelled to meet our finalists face to face, picking only one for the top spot was anything but effortless; it was one of the toughest tasks I've ever undertaken.

This speaks to one of the issues both delivery and pickup services face – picking the right items.

News & Media

TechCrunch

To preserve that fresh-air face, pick up products from local beauty brands Trilogy, Living Nature and Evolu.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Don't worry if you land flat on your face, pick yourself up and don't care about what other people think.

Have fun! Look handsome for the date: get a hair cut, shower, wash your face, pick clothes that match (looking smart and casual always works), smell nice (don't drown yourself in anything- a little spritz of something is ok).

Police officers in bulletproof vests, with looks of distaste on their faces, picked up candy wrappers and other refuse, which they put in blue garbage bags.

News & Media

The New York Times

"There have been faces picked up in the night by the security cameras, and I've had things flash by me.

News & Media

The Guardian

A little-seen "Deposition of Christ," hauled out of storage in Venice and restored for this exhibition, is a fine example, with its swooning diagonals, sudden colors and pale faces picked out in light.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a selection process, use stronger verbs like "selected" or "chose" for clarity. For instance, "the artist selected the face for the portrait" is more precise than "the artist face picked."

Common error

Avoid using "face picked" as a simple past tense verb. It's not grammatically correct in most contexts. Instead, ensure correct verb conjugation: "the face was picked" or "someone picked the face."

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face picked" functions as a verb phrase, though its usage is questionable. It appears in contexts where selection or identification of a face is implied. Ludwig AI identifies it as potentially incorrect, suggesting clearer alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "face picked" is grammatically dubious and lacks clarity in many contexts. Ludwig AI flags it as potentially incorrect, recommending alternatives like "selected face" or "chosen face". While it appears in various sources, including news and media, it's advisable to use clearer and more grammatically sound phrases, especially in formal writing, to avoid ambiguity. It's important to ensure proper verb conjugation when referring to actions involving faces.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "face picked" correctly in a sentence?

The phrase "face picked" is not generally considered correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "selected face" or "chosen face" for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

What are some alternatives to "face picked" that are grammatically sound?

Alternatives include "face was selected", "face was chosen", or "identified face", depending on the context. These phrases are grammatically correct and convey a clearer meaning.

Is "face picked" ever considered acceptable in formal writing?

Generally, no. In formal writing, it's best to avoid "face picked" due to its lack of clarity and questionable grammar. Use more precise and widely accepted alternatives like "selected face" or "chosen face".

What is the difference between "face picked" and "picked out a face"?

"Face picked" lacks grammatical structure and is vague. "Picked out a face" implies selecting a specific face from a group, making it more descriptive and grammatically correct.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: