hand-picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hand-picked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been carefully selected or chosen with great care. Example: "The chef only uses hand-picked ingredients to ensure the highest quality in his dishes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"He's Nancy Pelosi's hand-picked candidate".

The New York Times

And James's hand-picked interviewer Jim Gray?

The New York Times

The men were hand-picked.

The Guardian

Its nearly 3,000 delegates are hand-picked.

The Economist

Its teachers have been hand-picked.

The New York Times

The judiciary is entirely hand-picked.

The New York Times

Not a pickup band but hand-picked.

The New York Times

Creekstone cattle are hand-picked by eight roving field buyers.

The New York Times - Food

Mr Isla was Mr Ortega's deputy and hand-picked successor.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Everyone they met had been hand picked.

BBC

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

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hand-picked" to convey that items or individuals were selected with great care and attention to detail. This implies a higher level of quality or suitability compared to randomly chosen items.

Common error

While "hand-picked" can add emphasis, avoid using it excessively. Overuse can make your writing sound pretentious or insincere. Instead, consider using simpler alternatives like "selected" or "chosen" when the level of care is not a primary focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hand-picked" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that the items or individuals in question have been carefully and deliberately selected. As Ludwig AI suggests, it emphasizes the selective nature of the choice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hand-picked" is a commonly used and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe items or individuals carefully selected for their specific qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, most prominently in News & Media and Science domains. While "hand-picked" is generally acceptable in professional settings, be mindful of overuse, as it can come across as pretentious. Consider using alternatives like "carefully selected" or "specially chosen" to avoid redundancy and maintain a balanced tone. It's important to note the subtle difference between "hand-picked" and "cherry-picked"; the former implies a positive, quality-driven selection, while the latter often suggests a biased or manipulative choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carefully selected

Emphasizes the thoughtfulness and attention given to the selection process.

specially chosen

Highlights the unique suitability or purpose behind the selection.

judiciously selected

Suggests that the selection was made with sound judgment and wisdom.

custom-selected

Implies the items were chosen specifically for a particular application or user.

personally selected

Indicates the choice was made by an individual, adding a personal touch.

expertly chosen

Highlights the expertise involved in making the selection.

carefully curated

Often used when referring to collections, emphasizing the care taken in assembling it.

precisely chosen

Focuses on the exactness and accuracy of the selection process.

selectively picked

Highlights the exclusion of some items in favor of others based on certain criteria.

specially designated

Suggests a formal or official selection for a specific purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "hand-picked" to describe items or individuals carefully chosen for their specific qualities or suitability. For example, "The team consists of "hand-picked experts" in their respective fields."

What can I say instead of "hand-picked"?

You can use alternatives like "carefully selected", "specially chosen", or "judiciously selected" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "hand-picked by hand"?

Yes, saying "hand-picked by hand" is redundant because "hand-picked" already implies that the selection was done manually. It's best to simply use "hand-picked".

What is the difference between "hand-picked" and "cherry-picked"?

"Hand-picked" generally implies a careful selection process to ensure quality or suitability. "Cherry-picked", on the other hand, often has a negative connotation, suggesting that only the best or most favorable items were selected, potentially distorting the overall picture.