he has picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has acquired or learned something, often informally or gradually over time. Example: "He has picked up a lot of new skills during his internship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has picked up five new clients.

The New York Times

He has picked up other bizarre alliances along the way.

The New Yorker

He has picked up where he left off.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Tran grinned at the colloquialisms he has picked up.

The New York Times

And he used rhetoric he has picked up along the way.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Romanelli now weighs 230 pounds, and he has picked up another habit.

The New York Times

During his time in Israel, he has picked up some Hebrew — including local slang.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe he has picked up some of their fondness for the agony and the ecstasy.

The New Yorker

"Ivan is a European, yet he has picked up and learned what America can offer".

The New York Times - Sports

"He has picked up the value of defence to the national economy.

The Guardian

Along the way, he has picked up perspective, as well as seven major titles.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he has picked up" to describe skills, knowledge, or habits acquired gradually or informally, especially when the process wasn't structured. For example, "He has picked up a lot of slang from his friends."

Common error

Avoid using "he has picked up" when you simply mean he physically lifted something. Use "he picked up" instead. For example: "He picked up the phone", not "He has picked up the phone."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has picked up" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the present perfect tense. It indicates that a person has acquired, learned, or obtained something as a result of an action or experience that started in the past and has relevance to the present. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across different domains, showing consistent grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

25%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he has picked up" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect tense, indicating that someone has acquired something—be it a skill, habit, or piece of information—over time. It enjoys broad usage across different registers, from news media to sports reporting, and maintains a neutral formality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application, supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he learned

Focuses specifically on the acquisition of knowledge or skills.

he acquired

Emphasizes the act of gaining possession of something, either tangible or intangible.

he gained

Suggests an increase or accumulation of something, like experience or confidence.

he obtained

Similar to "acquired", but suggests a more formal or deliberate process of getting something.

he adopted

Implies taking on or embracing something new, like a habit or a style.

he developed

Implies a gradual growth or evolution of something over time, such as a skill or habit.

he improved in

Focuses specifically on the act of enhancement.

he cultivated

Suggests careful nurturing or deliberate effort to develop something.

he mastered

Indicates a high level of proficiency or skill in something.

he resumed

Indicates starting again or continuing after an interruption.

FAQs

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

Use "he has picked up" to indicate that someone has acquired or learned something, often informally or gradually over time. For instance, "He has picked up a few Italian phrases during his travels".

What's a formal alternative to "he has picked up"?

In formal contexts, you could replace "he has picked up" with more sophisticated alternatives like "he has acquired", "he has obtained", or "he has assimilated" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What can I say instead of "he has picked up" to emphasize physical improvement?

If you want to highlight physical gains or recovery, consider using phrases such as "he has recovered", "he has improved", or "he has regained" instead of "he has picked up".

Is there a difference between "he has picked up" and "he picked up"?

Yes, "he has picked up" implies a process over time or a recent development that continues to be relevant, whereas "he picked up" refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "He has picked up Spanish" suggests ongoing learning, while "He picked up the book" simply means he grabbed it once.