has picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

'has picked up' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is a verb phrase that can be used when one is referring to something that has been taken or obtained. For example, "Jill has picked up her prescription from the pharmacy."

✓ 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

"Business has picked up today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has picked up" to indicate an increase in activity, pace, or acquisition after a period of stagnation or decline.

Common error

Avoid using "has picked up" to describe the start of something entirely new; it implies a resumption or acceleration of something that already existed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has picked up" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the present perfect tense. It indicates an action that began in the past and has a continuing effect or relevance in the present, signifying improvement, acquisition, or acceleration, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has picked up" is a versatile verb phrase used to denote an increase in activity, pace, or acquisition after a period of relative inactivity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase maintains a neutral tone and is best used to describe improvements or accelerations rather than completely new beginnings. Remember to differentiate its meaning from similar phrases like "has taken up", which implies initiating a new activity. Mastering its use will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has increased

Focuses on the rise in quantity or intensity, differing from the broader sense of acquiring something.

has accelerated

Specifically indicates a faster pace or rate of change, differing from simply obtaining something.

has gained momentum

Emphasizes the acceleration or building force behind something, suggesting a positive development.

has risen

Focuses solely on upward movement or increase, missing the broader implications of "picked up".

has acquired

Implies obtaining or coming into possession of something, often tangible, which differs from an increase in pace or activity.

has resumed

Indicates a return to a previous state or activity, implying a pause that "has picked up" doesn't necessarily convey.

has improved

Highlights an enhancement or betterment, not necessarily related to an object being acquired or pace increasing.

has taken possession of

Stresses the act of gaining control or ownership, a narrower meaning than the general phrase.

has developed

Signifies growth or evolution, rather than simple acquisition or increased pace.

has recovered

Suggests regaining something lost or diminished, adding a connotation of restoration that differs from the original phrase.

FAQs

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

Use "has picked up" to indicate that something has increased, improved, or been acquired after a period of slow activity or decline. For instance, "Business "has picked up" since the new marketing campaign launched".

What are some alternatives to "has picked up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has increased", "has gained momentum", or "has acquired".

Is it correct to say 'has picked up' or should I use another tense?

The phrase "has picked up" is grammatically correct in the present perfect tense. It's used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. Other tenses may be appropriate depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "has picked up" and "has taken up"?

"Has picked up" generally implies an increase in something that already existed, like activity or pace. "Has taken up" suggests starting a new hobby or activity.