have been picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been picked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been selected or chosen in the past and is still relevant in the present. Example: "The finalists for the competition have been picked, and the announcement will be made tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Should Ozzie Guillen have been picked?

The New York Times

Indeed, its pockets have been picked along the way.

The Economist

The employees seem to have been picked for their helpfulness.

The New York Times

More seriously, I might not have been picked".

Independent

Several large objects have been picked up on sonar.

The Guardian

"She must have been picked up here in Miami somewhere.

The New York Times

The 29 hospitals have been picked out by the NHS.

The Guardian

His cancer could and should have been picked up sooner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nine players have been picked at six since Morgan made his hundred.

Independent

On their own, the member states would have been picked off one by one.

The Economist

Uniforms already have been picked out for each game this season.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been picked", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the picking. For instance, specify "candidates have been picked by the committee" instead of just "candidates have been picked."

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice with "have been picked" as it can make your writing vague. Replace with active voice where appropriate: instead of "The team members have been picked", try "The coach picked the team members".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been picked" functions as the present perfect passive voice. It indicates that an action of selection or choosing has been completed at some point in the past, and the result is relevant in the present. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been picked" functions as a present perfect passive construction, indicating a completed selection process with present relevance. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability and correctness across contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media and scientific publications. While grammatically sound, it is important to be aware of the passive voice and consider active alternatives for more direct writing. Consider replacing it with alternatives such as "have been selected" or "have been chosen".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been selected

Replaces "picked" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing a careful choice.

have been chosen

Similar to "have been selected", but implies a decision made from a range of options.

have been designated

Suggests an official assignment or appointment to a specific role or purpose.

have been appointed

Implies a formal selection for a position, often by an authority.

were handpicked

Emphasizes a careful and deliberate selection process, often implying a personal touch.

have been culled

Indicates selection through a process of elimination or removal of unwanted elements.

have been taken

Simple change of verb, more focused on the action of taking.

have undergone selection

Focuses on the process of being selected rather than the result.

have been decided upon

Highlights the decision-making aspect, implying a consensus or agreement.

have emerged as

Suggests a selection process where the chosen items stood out from a larger group.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have been picked" indicates that something or someone has been selected. For example, "The best apples "have been picked" for the pie", or "The team members "have been selected" for the final game".

What is a more formal alternative to "have been picked"?

More formal alternatives include "have been selected", "have been chosen", or "have been designated". The choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "have been picked"?

While "have been picked" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The winners "have been picked" by the judges", you could say "The judges "picked" the winners".

What's the difference between "have been picked" and "were picked"?

"Have been picked" implies that the action of picking has relevance to the present, while "were picked" simply describes a past event. For example, "The flowers that "have been picked" are now in a vase" suggests the flowers are still relevant, whereas "The flowers "were picked" yesterday" is a statement of past action.