had been picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been picked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that an action was completed before another action in the past. Example: "By the time the event started, the team had been picked for the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The video store had been picked bare.

The New Yorker

By two o'clock, the vine had been picked bare.

The New Yorker

I arrived in Maharashtra in late spring, after most of the season's cotton had been picked.

The New Yorker

Cars had been picked up and deposited on the roofs of four storey buildings.

Independent

The business was swarming with "handicappers," betting on which title had been picked.

The New Yorker

That was the place where the messages from the Titanic had been picked up.

The New York Times

By late September, Costolo was told that he had been picked to be interim C.E.O.

The New York Times - Magazine

Local media said her friends at the party thought she had been picked up.

Independent

By 1997 it had been picked up by scores of public stations around the country.

The New York Times - Arts

"She would have said something to me if I had been picked.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Cottrell Boyce expressed delight that these "Christian resonances" had been picked up.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been picked" to clearly indicate that a selection or removal occurred before a specific point in the past. This clarifies the sequence of events for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "had been picked" when a simpler past tense like "was picked" is sufficient. The past perfect is necessary only when you're referencing a past action that preceded another past action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been picked" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being selected or chosen at a time prior to another event in the past. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been picked" is a grammatically correct and versatile past perfect passive construction. It's frequently used in various contexts, especially in News & Media, and its main function is to clarify that an action of choosing or selecting occurred before another past event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and notes its wide applicability. When using this phrase, ensure that the past perfect tense is necessary to accurately convey the sequence of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been selected

Focuses more on the act of choosing from a set of options.

had been chosen

Similar to 'selected' but can imply a more personal or preferential choice.

had been handpicked

Emphasizes careful and deliberate selection.

had been taken

A more general term, simply indicating removal or acquisition.

had been harvested

Specifically refers to the gathering of crops or natural resources.

had been gathered

Focuses on the collection of items from a wider area.

had been designated

Implies an official or formal assignment.

had been appointed

Suggests selection for a specific role or position.

had been drawn

Suggests a random selection, often by chance.

had been culled

Implies removing something undesirable or substandard.

FAQs

How do I use "had been picked" in a sentence?

"Had been picked" indicates that something was selected or chosen before a specific time in the past. For example, "The team "had been picked" before the tournament started" shows the selection occurred first.

What can I say instead of "had been picked"?

Alternatives include "had been selected", "had been chosen", or "had been harvested", depending on the context.

Is "had been picked" formal or informal?

"Had been picked" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The tone depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.

What's the difference between "had been picked" and "was picked"?

"Had been picked" (past perfect) indicates an action completed before another point in the past, while "was picked" (simple past) describes an action completed at a specific time in the past.