hand picked

USAGE SUMMARY

"hand picked" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was selected by hand, rather than automatically or mechanically. For example, you could say: "The tomatoes at the farmers market were all hand picked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Everyone they met had been hand picked.

BBC

Mr. Morgan, on the other hand, picked his father well.

Forbes

The depot staff were all hand picked, with the ability to outperform any of the volunteers.

Wikipedia

Islets were hand picked under a stereomicroscope.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Sweet corn is hand picked, but few farmworkers are employed for this task.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Islets were hand picked from 5 7 week old Idd9 congenic and NOD donors.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I hand-picked the content.

The Guardian

Their costumes were carefully hand-picked.

The Guardian - Music

Mao, who died in 1976, hand-picked his successor.

The New York Times

Both those great managers hand-picked their successors.

The Guardian - Sport

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Mottola hand-picked every song.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hand picked", ensure the context clarifies what criteria were used for selection. This adds depth and meaning to the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "hand picked" excessively in formal or academic writing. More precise terms like "carefully selected" or "judiciously chosen" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hand picked" functions primarily as a compound adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to describe something or someone that has been carefully chosen for a specific purpose or quality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hand picked" serves as an adjective to describe something deliberately selected. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, although its frequency is uncommon. While versatile, the expression is most frequently observed in news media and scientific articles. For formal writing contexts, alternatives such as "carefully selected" might be more suitable. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of "hand picked" and how it is best used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carefully selected

Emphasizes the care and attention given to the selection process.

specially chosen

Highlights that the selection was made for a specific reason or purpose.

custom-selected

Suggests the items were chosen to fit a particular need or preference.

judiciously selected

Implies the selection was made with good judgment and discernment.

carefully designated

Focuses on the act of assigning something specific with intention.

specifically appointed

Implies a more official or formal selection process.

individually designated

Stresses that each item was chosen separately, one at a time.

precisely selected

Highlights the accuracy and exactness of the selection.

selectively chosen

Indicates a choice made from a larger group, implying discernment.

personally selected

Emphasizes that the choice was made by an individual, often with a personal touch.

FAQs

How can I use "hand picked" in a sentence?

You can use "hand picked" to describe items or individuals carefully chosen for a specific purpose, like "The team was "carefully selected" for their expertise" or "These grapes are "specially chosen" for our premium wine."

What is a similar phrase to "hand picked"?

Alternatives to "hand picked" include "carefully selected", "specially chosen", or "custom selected". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "hand picked" formal or informal?

"Hand picked" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal tone. In formal contexts, consider using more precise terms like "judiciously selected" or "specifically appointed".

What's the difference between "hand picked" and "carefully selected"?

While both phrases denote a deliberate choice, "hand picked" implies a more personal and direct selection process. "Carefully selected" simply emphasizes the attention given to the selection, without necessarily implying a manual process.