initially picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the first instance of something being collected, acquired, or noticed. Example: "The project was initially picked up by a small team before gaining wider attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Admittedly, I was hesitant when I initially picked up this book.

The Guardian

After the first four episodes were broadcast, HBO initially picked up the show for a second season in October.

The New York Times

They were initially picked up by The First Post, a political website, and the story began to snowball.

The Guardian

Initially picked up by the media and economic analysts, the term is now being used in the art world and has given rise to several survey shows.

The Guardian

Conversely, if Mr. Romney initially picked up 6 points in the polls from his choice of Mr. Ryan, but the bounce quickly evaporated and the choice wound up costing him a point or two in the end, it would count as a poor selection — despite the gaudy headlines that he would get in the meantime.

The New York Times

The students have been held on similar state explosives charges in South Carolina since their arrest there on Aug. 4; they were initially picked up on speeding charges about seven miles from the Naval Weapons Station Charleston, a military base in Goose Creek, S.C., where high-profile terrorism suspects have been detained in recent years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

EWI 1a, % of adult patients initiating ART at the site who are initially prescribed, or who initially pick up from the pharmacy, an appropriate first-line ART regimen.

BMC Infectious Diseases

This is a strange argument when one considers that the federal government is initially picking up the full tab, and then paying 90% of the benefits by 2020 and in the years afterward.

The Guardian - Opinion

Update: After initially picking up several percent, Tesla is now roughly flat in after-hours trading. .

TechCrunch

It kind of didn't bother me and I didn't initially pick up on it.

Huffington Post

You've got to give the drums a healthy leathering, so the pads are now somewhat pockmarked, and when initially picking up the Strat and strumming speedily, I managed to bleed onto the scratchplate.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initially picked up", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was selected, acquired, or noticed at the beginning. For example: "The research project was initially picked up by a small team."

Common error

Avoid using "initially picked up" when referring to actions or events that occurred repeatedly over time. It's best suited for describing the very first instance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially picked up" functions as a phrasal verb, commonly used to indicate the beginning of an action, such as noticing, selecting, or acquiring something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "initially picked up" is grammatically sound and denotes the start of an action like selecting or noticing. According to Ludwig, the phrase is valid and usable in English writing. While not overly common, it's used in diverse contexts, primarily in news, science, and wiki sources. For alternative phrasing, consider "originally selected" or "first acquired". When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the subject being acted upon and avoid using it for events repeating over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originally selected

Focuses on the selection aspect, highlighting the origin of the choice.

first acquired

Emphasizes the act of obtaining something for the first time.

initially chosen

Similar to 'selected', but with a slightly more formal tone.

first noticed

Shifts the focus to the act of observation or recognition.

originally detected

Suggests the discovery or finding of something.

initially identified

Emphasizes the act of recognizing or naming something at the beginning.

first received

Highlights the act of getting or being given something initially.

originally obtained

Focuses on the process of gaining or securing something.

first collected

Emphasizes the act of gathering or accumulating something initially.

initially adopted

Highlights the act of starting to use or follow something.

FAQs

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

You can use "initially picked up" to describe when something was first noticed, selected, or acquired. For instance, "The story was "initially picked up" by a local newspaper before gaining national attention."

What's a good alternative to "initially picked up"?

Alternatives include "originally selected", "first acquired", or "initially chosen", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "initially picked up" or "first picked up"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "initially picked up" emphasizes the beginning or starting point, while "first picked up" simply indicates the order of events. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does "initially picked up" imply?

The phrase "initially picked up" implies that something was selected, noticed, or acquired at the start, suggesting that further developments or actions may have followed.