he was picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was picked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was chosen or selected for a particular role, task, or opportunity. Example: "After a long selection process, he was picked to lead the project team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet he was picked for his bowling.

The Guardian - Sport

To his surprise, he was picked.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was picked by the full Senate, using secret ballots.

The New York Times

Neither player was projected as high as he was picked.

The New York Times - Sports

He was picked by Washington, then traded to Cleveland.

The New York Times

He was picked off 15 times last season.

The New York Times - Sports

He was picked first in the color war draft.

The New York Times - Sports

Within hours he was picked up by Pakistani intelligence services.

The Guardian

Then in 1991, he was picked up by Elektra Records.

The New York Times

He was picked in large part because of his advocacy of low taxes.

The Washington Post

He was caught carrying a bag of grain on his horse, when he was picked up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "selected" or "chosen" for a more formal tone, or to avoid repetition if you've used "picked" frequently in the same text.

Common error

Avoid confusing "he was picked" (selected) with "he was picked on" (bullied). The addition of the preposition "on" drastically changes the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was picked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being chosen or selected. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound phrase. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was picked" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has been selected or chosen. As Ludwig AI confirms, its applications are varied and seen across diverse sources, notably in news and media. While versatile, remember to differentiate it from the expression "he was picked on", which carries a completely different meaning. Alternatives like "he was selected" or "he was chosen" can provide a more formal tone if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was selected

Replaces "picked" with a more formal synonym, implying a deliberate choice.

he was chosen

Similar to "selected", but can imply a personal preference or a more informal selection process.

he was appointed

Suggests a formal assignment to a position or role.

he was designated

Implies that someone was officially named for a specific purpose.

he was handpicked

Emphasizes that the selection was done carefully and personally.

he was named

A simple and direct way of saying someone received a title or position.

he was cherry-picked

Suggests selecting someone or something carefully as being the best or most suitable.

he was drafted

Often used in sports or military contexts, implying mandatory selection.

he was recruited

Suggests an active effort to bring someone into a team or organization.

he was identified

Focuses on recognizing someone as suitable or qualified.

FAQs

What does "he was picked" mean?

The phrase "he was picked" means that someone was selected or chosen for a specific role, team, or purpose. It emphasizes the act of selection.

What can I say instead of "he was picked"?

You can use alternatives such as "he was selected", "he was chosen", or "he was appointed" depending on the context.

Is "he was picked" formal or informal?

"He was picked" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, "he was selected" might be preferred in more formal writing.

What's the difference between "he was picked" and "he was picked on"?

"He was picked" means he was chosen, while "he was picked on" means he was bullied or harassed. The addition of "on" completely changes the meaning.