has been picking up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been picking up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual increase or improvement in something over time. Example: "The interest in renewable energy has been picking up in recent years as more people become aware of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Activity has been picking up.

The New York Times

AXA has been picking up the pieces.

The New York Times

Economic growth has been picking up.

The Economist

"Awareness has been picking up," he says.

MIT Technology Review

It has been picking up in Europe, too.

The Economist

Recently, it has been picking up ever more dramatic speed.

The Guardian - Books

The revolving door has been picking up speed of late.

The New Yorker

But Wells has been picking up market share.

The New York Times

Inflation has been picking up, mainly due to higher oil and food prices.

The Economist

Even Mr. Obama has been picking up the term, reinterpreting the meaning of Obamacare.

The New York Times - Health

But activity has been picking up, in part because of pent-up demand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been picking up" to describe a gradual increase or improvement over time. Ensure the subject experiencing the increase is clearly defined for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been picking up" without a clear subject. Ensure that the noun or concept that is increasing or improving is explicitly stated to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been picking up" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that started in the past and is continuing to increase or improve up to the present moment. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used to depict gradual growth or acceleration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been picking up" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to describe a gradual increase or improvement over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "has been increasing" or "has been gaining momentum" offer similar meanings, "has been picking up" provides a clear and widely understood way to highlight positive trends. Remember to ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been increasing

Focuses on the steady rise in quantity or intensity.

has been improving

Highlights the betterment or enhancement of something.

has been gaining momentum

Emphasizes the increasing speed or force of progress.

has been accelerating

Implies a rapid increase in speed or rate.

has been on the rise

Suggests a general upward trend or prevalence.

has been growing

Indicates a gradual expansion or development.

has been intensifying

Points to a strengthening or heightening of something.

has been developing

Focuses on the progression and evolution of something.

has been surging

Suggests a sudden and powerful increase.

has been escalating

Highlights a gradual increase in intensity or seriousness, often in negative contexts.

FAQs

What does "has been picking up" mean?

The phrase "has been picking up" means that something is gradually increasing, improving, or accelerating over a period of time. It suggests a positive trend or development.

How can I use "has been picking up" in a sentence?

You can use "has been picking up" to describe various scenarios. For example, "Economic growth "has been picking up" since the new policies were implemented." or "Interest in the project "has been picking up" recently".

What are some alternatives to "has been picking up"?

Some alternatives to "has been picking up" include "has been increasing", "has been gaining momentum", or "has been improving", depending on the specific context.

Is "has been picking up" formal or informal?

"Has been picking up" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding language and the specific situation will influence the overall tone.