has picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has picked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has chosen or selected something in the present perfect tense, often implying relevance to the present moment. Example: "She has picked the best option for the project after careful consideration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Business travel has picked up.

The New York Times

The rain has picked up.

The New York Times

Infrastructure spending has picked up.

The Economist

Investor sentiment has picked up".

The New York Times

He has picked up five new clients.

The New York Times

Recently, the pace has picked up.

The New York Times - Food

Now it has picked up volume.

Independent

The city has picked up S.E.I.U.

The New York Times

Foreign investment has picked up.

The New York Times

Slowly enrolment has picked up.

The Guardian

Eavis has picked the bands.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has picked" when you want to emphasize a recent choice or selection that has present relevance or consequences. For example, "The company has picked a new CEO, signaling a shift in strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "has picked" when referring to a continuous or habitual action in the past. Use "picked" for simple past tense or "had picked" for past perfect instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has picked" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating a completed action of choosing or selecting something at an unspecified time in the past, with relevance to the present. Ludwig confirms this with multiple examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has picked" is a common and grammatically sound present perfect verb phrase. It denotes a completed act of choosing or selecting something, bearing relevance to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically used in neutral contexts, particularly within news and media. When using the phrase, it's advisable to avoid using it in reference to actions that are better suited to the simple past or past perfect tenses. Alternative phrases, like "has chosen" or "has selected", can add nuance based on the intended level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has chosen

Replaces "picked" with "chosen", a more formal synonym, indicating selection.

has selected

Substitutes "picked" with "selected", another formal synonym emphasizing careful selection.

has decided on

Emphasizes the decision-making process leading to a choice.

has acquired

Replaces "picked" with "acquired", suggesting the gaining of something, often implying effort or investment.

has obtained

Similar to "has acquired", but emphasizes the process of getting or securing something.

has secured

Focuses on the act of making something safe or certain, often through effort or competition.

has designated

Indicates the act of formally choosing someone or something for a specific purpose.

has favored

Suggests a preference for one option over others.

has taken up

Suggests starting a new hobby, task, or challenge.

has embraced

Implies acceptance and adoption of an idea, trend, or belief.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "has picked"?

You can use alternatives like "has chosen", "has selected", or "has acquired" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "has picked" in a sentence?

"Has picked" is used to indicate a completed action of choosing or selecting something. For example, "She has picked the perfect dress for the party."

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

No, "have picked" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They have picked") while "has picked" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "She has picked").

What's the difference between "has picked" and "had picked"?

"Has picked" refers to a past action with present relevance, while "had picked" refers to an action completed before another point in the past. For example, "She has picked her outfit for tonight" versus "She had picked her outfit before I even arrived".