got picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

"got picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been taken or carried away, typically by someone else. For example, "My package got picked up by the delivery truck this morning".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"On a Saturday I got picked up.

The Guardian - Sport

That quip got picked up everywhere, Tetlock says.

Independent

"He played for Gala, got picked up.

BBC

The show got picked up.

Huffington Post

"It was impossible". Jim Jinkins said, remembering the way his show got picked up.

HuffPost

We went to lunch once, when the show first got picked up.

Vice

It was going to be TV history if we actually got picked up.

Los Angeles Times

Jim Jinkins said, remembering the way his show got picked up.

Huffington Post

"It got picked up by the paint.

The New Yorker

Instead, the movie got picked up for national distribution.

The New Yorker

It got picked up on The Wall Street Journal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing how an idea or trend became popular, use "got picked up" to show it was adopted or spread widely.

Common error

Avoid using "got picked up" when you literally mean something was lifted. Instead, use verbs like "lifted", "raised", or "carried" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got picked up" primarily functions as a phrasal verb indicating that something or someone was chosen, selected, or collected. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got picked up" is a versatile phrasal verb used to indicate selection, adoption, or collection. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and frequent use in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "was selected" or "was acquired" may be preferable in certain academic or business settings. To avoid confusion, ensure the context clearly indicates selection rather than literal physical action. This phrase enjoys widespread use across varied sources, from authoritative news outlets to academic institutions, demonstrating its broad acceptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was selected

Focuses on the act of being chosen, emphasizing selection over the physical action of picking up.

was chosen

Similar to "was selected", emphasizing the decision-making process of choosing.

was recruited

Implies active seeking and hiring, especially in professional contexts.

was hired

Directly relates to employment or contracting someone.

was obtained

Focuses on gaining possession or access, differing from the agency implied in "picked up".

was acquired

Indicates ownership or control being transferred, often in a business or legal setting.

was gathered

Emphasizes collecting or assembling something, different from individual selection.

was collected

Similar to "was gathered", but can also imply official collection, such as data.

was intercepted

Suggests that someone or something was stopped on their way.

was apprehended

Indicates being caught or seized, often by law enforcement.

FAQs

How can I use "got picked up" in a sentence?

You can use "got picked up" to describe when something is chosen, adopted, or collected. For example, "The song "got picked up" by a radio station" or "I "got picked up" at the airport".

What's a good alternative to "got picked up"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "got picked up" with alternatives like "was selected", "was chosen", or "was recruited".

When is it appropriate to use "got picked up" instead of "was selected"?

"Got picked up" often implies a more casual or passive selection process compared to "was selected". Use "got picked up" when describing trends, media coverage, or informal choices. "Was selected" is more appropriate for formal selections or competitions.

Is "got picked up" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the audience and context. In formal reports or academic papers, more precise language like "was selected", "was acquired", or "was adopted" may be more suitable. But in less formal business writing, "got picked up" is perfectly acceptable.