it must pick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it must pick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something is required to select or choose something. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, it must pick the most suitable candidate for the role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It must pick its fights".

The New York Times - Books

The agency says that, given its limited budget, it must pick enforcement targets carefully, suggesting that a handful of delinquent small-business owners might not justify a significant response.

The New York Times

Labour has told its Cynon Valley branch it must pick a new parliamentary candidate for the ward from an all-women shortlist despite objections.

BBC

But to reach it, it must pick the right fork in the road.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

American critics such as Gary Schmitt of the American Enterprise Institute in Washington accuse China of a "supermarket approach": it buys what it must, picks up what it wants and ignores what it does not.Hope is not a policyThe hope is that in years to come China will indeed grow to be more democratic and that it will play its part in world affairs.

The Economist

Sometimes I must pick up things in the garbage to survive".

The New York Times

"Falling down along the way, I must pick myself up and proceed with my journey," she wrote.

The New York Times

To win it, or a share of it, they must pick the winner of Saturday's most difficult race.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Doherty said the secondary streets, which he anticipated being cleared Monday night and Tuesday, presented special difficulties with this much snow: It can be too much for even a 20-ton garbage truck, so front-end loaders must pick it up and move it.

The New York Times

Congress must pick it up again and pass it.

The New York Times

Once you have completed your calendar, you can buy your calendar, but you must pick it up in an Apple store and it costs money.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it must pick" when you want to convey a sense of obligation or necessity in making a choice. This phrase implies that there are limited options and a decision is required.

Common error

Avoid using "it must pick" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for alternatives like "it has to choose" or "it needs to select" for a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

"It must pick" functions as a modal phrase expressing necessity or obligation combined with the action of choosing or selecting. This phrase indicates that the subject is required to make a choice. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it must pick" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the necessity of making a choice from available options. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While generally neutral in register, it's best to reserve it for situations where obligation or requirement is emphasized. Alternatives like "it has to choose" or "it needs to select" may be suitable for more casual contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating its use in reporting and commentary. Though uncommon, when it is used, it clearly conveys a sense of needed selection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is required to choose

Changes the verb from 'pick' to 'choose' and uses a passive construction to emphasize the requirement.

it has to select

Replaces 'must' with 'has to' and 'pick' with 'select', offering a slightly more formal tone.

it needs to designate

Substitutes 'pick' with 'designate', implying a more official or specific choice.

it is obliged to determine

Employs 'obliged' for a stronger sense of duty and 'determine' for a more definitive selection.

it is essential to elect

Uses 'essential' to highlight the importance of the choice and 'elect' to suggest a formal selection process.

it should identify

Replaces 'must' with 'should' and 'pick' with 'identify', softening the obligation and focusing on recognition.

it is vital that it opts for

Highlights the importance of the choice using 'vital' and employs 'opts for' as a more elaborate way of saying 'pick'.

it's imperative to appoint

Replaces 'must' with 'imperative' and 'pick' with 'appoint' to give more formality and importance to the verb pick.

it's crucial to single out

Emphasizes the significance of choosing by using the adjective 'crucial' instead of 'must' and uses 'single out' instead of 'pick' to highlight the selection process.

it requires to settle on

Uses 'require' to indicate necessity and 'settle on' to describe the finality of the choice.

FAQs

How can I use "it must pick" in a sentence?

Use "it must pick" to indicate a required selection from a limited set of options. For example, "Given the limited budget, it must pick the most cost-effective solution".

What are some alternatives to "it must pick"?

You can use alternatives like "it has to choose", "it needs to select", or "it is required to choose" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it must pick" or "it has to pick"?

Both "it must pick" and "it has to pick" are grammatically correct. "It must pick" implies a stronger sense of obligation or necessity, while "it has to pick" is generally considered less formal.

What's the difference between "it must pick" and "it gets to pick"?

"It must pick" indicates a requirement or obligation to make a selection, whereas "it gets to pick" implies a privilege or opportunity to choose.