he picks up

USAGE SUMMARY

"he picks up" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when someone is picking up something, or figuratively, when someone is taking on a task or responsibility. For example: "He picks up the grocery bags and carries them into the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Fortunately, he picks up.

The New York Times - Magazine

He picks up one.

The Washington Post

He picks up babies.

The New York Times

He picks up blitzes.

The New York Times - Sports

He picks up on the message.

The New York Times

Afterward, he picks up everyone's check.

The New Yorker

"He picks up things quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

He picks up his glove.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He picked up.

The New Yorker

He picked up a tambourine.

The New Yorker

He picked up a bullhorn.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he picks up" to describe the action of lifting something with the hand, or metaphorically to indicate acquiring knowledge or understanding quickly.

Common error

Avoid using "he picks up" in contexts where the intended meaning is to support or defend someone. Use phrases like "he defends" or "he supports" instead to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he picks up" functions as a verb phrase, where 'he' is the subject pronoun and 'picks up' is a phrasal verb indicating the action of lifting or acquiring something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and can be used both literally and figuratively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he picks up" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in News & Media sources, indicating a neutral formality level. Its primary function is to describe an action, whether physical or metaphorical, performed by a male subject. Common uses include lifting objects, acquiring knowledge quickly, or becoming aware of something. While generally correct, it's important to consider the context to avoid misinterpretations, especially when a more specific verb like "defends" or "supports" might be more appropriate. Related phrases such as "he grabs" or "he retrieves" can offer subtle variations in meaning. The phrase is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he grabs

Replaces "picks up" with "grabs", emphasizing a quicker or more forceful action.

he takes

Uses "takes" instead of "picks up", suggesting a general act of acquiring or receiving something.

he lifts

Substitutes "picks up" with "lifts", focusing on the action of raising something.

he retrieves

Replaces "picks up" with "retrieves", implying that something was lost or misplaced.

he collects

Uses "collects" instead of "picks up", suggesting a gathering of multiple items.

he secures

Substitutes "picks up" with "secures", focusing on the act of obtaining something safely or firmly.

he comes into possession of

Replaces the whole phrase with a more formal way of saying that he takes something.

he happens upon

Implies finding something by chance, rather than intentionally picking it up.

he understands

Shifts from a physical action to a mental one, implying comprehension or grasping an idea.

he accepts

Emphasizes the act of receiving or taking something that is offered.

FAQs

What does "he picks up" mean in a literal sense?

In a literal sense, "he picks up" means that a male person lifts something from a surface with his hands. For example, "he picks up the book".

What are some figurative meanings of "he picks up"?

Figuratively, "he picks up" can mean that someone acquires knowledge, learns a new skill, or notices something. For example, "he picks up languages easily".

What's the difference between "he picks up" and "he learns"?

"He picks up" often implies learning something quickly and informally through observation or experience. "He learns" is a more general term for acquiring knowledge through study or instruction.

Is it correct to say "he picks up on" instead of "he picks up"?

Yes, but the meaning changes slightly. "He picks up on" means he notices or becomes aware of something, often something subtle. For example, "he picks up on the subtle cues".