may be picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be picked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is allowed or possible to be selected or chosen. Example: "The fruits that are ripe may be picked from the orchard this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were few official clues as to how Uzbekistan's new leader may be picked.

The Guardian

The weakest may be picked off by pseudo-specialist features added to generalist search-engines.

The Economist

Will-call orders may be picked up at each event one hour before start time.

The New Yorker

They may be picked up for driving under the influence, miss important professional or family obligations or repeatedly arrive late to work.

The New York Times - Health

While many major cities, like New York, have bomb-disrupting robots, the technology may be picked up by smaller cities when it becomes more adaptable and easily upgradable.

The New York Times - Tech

The performance is free, but tickets are required; they may be picked up at Ruthy's Bakery Café, Main Plaza at Chelsea Piers (Pier 62).

The New York Times - Arts

18, and may be picked up on Friday (for orders placed by 5 p.m. today) and on Sunday (for orders placed by 5 p.m. tomorrow).

The New York Times

Lane Crawford's business model is integrated, with stores in Beijing and one planned for Shanghai, where merchandise ordered online may be picked up or returned.

The New York Times

Some of the slack demand from tourists and advertisers may be picked up by special missions, which have been growing faster than expected, Ms. Hall said.

The New York Times

Now, in the waning days of summer, passengers hailing an Uber X may be picked up by one of the city's many human drivers, or by one of a tiny fleet of autonomous vehicles.

The New Yorker

If you are not already a Noah's Ark member, forms may be picked up at Gate E5 or in flight for a small fee, discounted for seniors, the military, and ocelots who have not yet joined a frequent-flier program.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be picked" to express a possibility or potential selection, especially when the choice is not guaranteed. For example, "The winning numbers may be picked randomly."

Common error

Avoid using "may be picked" when you mean a definite selection or certainty. Instead, use "will be picked" or "is selected" to indicate a confirmed choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be picked" functions as a passive modal verb construction. It expresses the possibility of someone or something being chosen or selected. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and indicates potentiality as its core characteristic, observed in examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be picked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the possibility of selection. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is suitable across a broad spectrum of contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific literature. When writing, remember to use "may be picked" to convey uncertainty and avoid it when a definite selection is intended. Consider alternatives like "could be selected" or "might be chosen" for subtle variations in meaning. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "may be picked" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be selected

Replaces "may" with "could", indicating a similar level of possibility but with a slightly different nuance.

might be chosen

Substitutes "picked" with "chosen" and "may" with "might", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

can be selected

Uses "can" instead of "may", suggesting ability or permission rather than just possibility.

is eligible for selection

Rephrases the idea to emphasize eligibility, changing the structure significantly.

is liable to be chosen

Replaces "may" with "is liable", implying a higher probability of selection.

is a potential candidate

Shifts the focus to the subject being a candidate, rather than the action of picking.

has a chance of being selected

Expresses the idea of possibility using a longer, more descriptive phrase.

is under consideration

Indicates that something is being thought about for selection, not necessarily that it will be picked.

merits selection

Suggests that something deserves to be chosen, adding a value judgment.

warrants selection

Similar to 'merits selection', implying justification for the choice.

FAQs

How can I use "may be picked" in a sentence?

The phrase "may be picked" indicates a possibility or potential selection. For example, "The best students "may be picked" for the scholarship program."

What are some alternatives to "may be picked"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could be selected", "might be chosen", or "can be selected", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "may be pick" instead of "may be picked"?

No, "may be pick" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "may be picked", where "picked" is the past participle of the verb "to pick".

What's the difference between "may be picked" and "will be picked"?

"May be picked" indicates a possibility, while "will be picked" suggests a certainty. For instance, "The winner "may be picked" randomly" implies uncertainty, whereas "The winner "will be picked" tomorrow" expresses a scheduled event.