has been picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been picked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been selected or chosen in the past and is still relevant in the present. Example: "The winner of the contest has been picked, and we will announce the name shortly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Overton has been picked very young.

The Guardian - Sport

"It has been picked up everywhere".

The Guardian

Too often, though, the gelato case has been picked clean.

The New York Times - Food

Now "Two-Shade" has been picked up by Sunnyside.

The New York Times - Arts

Only one factor has been picked over: Lubitz's mental health.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most dry land has been picked over, and better technology allows exploration in ever deeper waters.

The Economist

Then the phone rings, and the threesome find that their pilot has been picked up.

The New Yorker

The low-hanging fruit has been picked, so cuts will be harder to find.

Independent

TLC had the July special "Cheer Perfection," which has been picked up as a series.

The New York Times - Arts

Property prices are soaring everywhere and their tract has been picked for expropriation.

The Economist

This has been picked up by cheerleaders in the Brussels press pack and think-tank world.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about decisions or selections, ensure the context makes it clear who or what performed the picking action, even if it's implied.

Common error

Avoid using "has been pick" as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is the past participle "picked". Ensure you're using the passive voice appropriately; if the actor is important, consider using the active voice instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been picked" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of selecting or choosing has been completed at some point in the past, and the result of that action is still relevant in the present. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts from news to scientific publications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been picked" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a selection process has been completed, with the result having present relevance. As Ludwig AI points out, it is frequently used in neutral contexts like news and media, as well as scientific and formal business settings. While synonyms such as "has been selected" and "has been chosen" exist, "has been picked" offers a straightforward way to communicate that a choice has been made. Remember to ensure the correct tense and voice when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been selected

This is a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of choosing something over other options.

has been chosen

Similar to 'selected', but may imply a more deliberate or preferential decision.

was selected

This is a past tense passive voice construction that conveys a similar meaning to the query.

has been designated

Implies a more formal or official selection for a specific purpose.

has been appointed

Specifically refers to being chosen for a role or position.

has been taken

Can imply selection, particularly when something is 'taken' from a group or set.

has been harvested

This term can be used when talking about gathering crops.

has been gathered

Focuses on the act of collecting or bringing things together, implying a selection from a wider source.

was handpicked

Emphasizes a careful, personal selection process.

has been extracted

Suggests that something has been removed or taken out from something else, often with effort.

FAQs

How can I use "has been picked" in a sentence?

Use "has been picked" to indicate that something or someone has been selected or chosen. For instance, "The team captain "has been picked" for the upcoming tournament."

What are some alternatives to "has been picked"?

You can use alternatives like "has been chosen", "has been selected", or "was chosen", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have been picked" instead of "has been picked"?

"Has been picked" is used with singular subjects (e.g., 'the candidate'). Use "have been picked" with plural subjects (e.g., 'the candidates').

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

"Has been picked" implies the selection happened at an unspecified time in the past and is still relevant, while "was picked" refers to a specific event in the past that may or may not have current relevance. For example, 'The winner "has been picked", and the announcement is today' vs. 'The team "was picked" last week'.