merely picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was acquired or obtained with little effort or significance. Example: "She merely picked up the book from the table and started reading."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Giuliani merely picked up Mr. Goler's cue, and demanded that Mr. Paul retract his remark.

The New York Times

Two years ago he would have merely picked up the phone.

The New York Times

"Imagine if you went somewhere new and were deprived of knowledge of a local language and merely picked up the useful bits you heard to get yourself fed," he said, explaining its evolution.

The New York Times

Though she surrendered it in illness, I didn't, merely picked up hers, swallowed and kept moving.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Barbara was merely picking up the paper".

The New York Times

Or, the news media could merely pick up everything written last time, whenever that was, last week, last month, last year.

The New York Times - Sports

They suggested that the recruits that attend the dance do not decode the motions of the dancing bee but merely pick up odours of the food source from particles still clinging to the bee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prosecutors cautioned that merely picking up the bag and leaving the location did not provide grounds for arrest, because the person may intend to find the rightful owner later.

The New York Times

But there are bleaker forecasts: prolonged economic misery; chronic political instability; widespread social unrest; and perhaps even a military coup.The administration claims it is merely picking up the tab for its predecessors' excesses.

The Economist

That's not actually a joke: this aimless mid-tempo really does merely pick up where that minor single left off a decade ago, sonically and thematically, except this time it's not a young dumb romantic fantasy but role play to spice up a middle-aged couple's marriage.

The Guardian - Music

"It is improbable to think that people's perceptions have been influenced solely by The World is Not Enough, but this film came after the Chernobyl disaster so the film was merely picking up on a real fear people have of nuclear power.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merely picked up", ensure that the context clearly indicates the lack of effort or significance involved in the action. This phrase is effective when you want to downplay the importance of an acquisition or action.

Common error

Avoid using "merely picked up" when the action actually required significant effort or had important consequences. Misusing the phrase can undermine your message and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely picked up" functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it's used to indicate that something was acquired with little effort or significance. It modifies the verb to express the ease or lack of importance of the action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "merely picked up" is a verb phrase used to indicate that something was acquired or obtained with minimal effort or significance. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, it is versatile and appears across various contexts, notably in news, encyclopedias, and on wikis. When using this phrase, ensure the context reflects the intended lack of effort. Alternative phrases such as "simply acquired" or "easily obtained" can be used to convey similar meanings. It is important to avoid using "merely picked up" when the action had significant implications or required considerable effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply acquired

Emphasizes the simplicity of the acquisition process, focusing on the lack of complexity or difficulty.

easily obtained

Highlights the ease with which something was gained, suggesting a lack of significant effort or challenge.

casually took

Conveys a sense of nonchalance and lack of deliberation in the act of taking something.

just grabbed

Indicates a quick and effortless act of taking, often implying spontaneity.

happened to find

Suggests that the act of finding was accidental or coincidental, with little effort involved.

lightly gathered

Implies a gentle and undemanding method of collection, often in the context of physical objects or information.

briefly collected

Focuses on the short duration and minimal effort involved in the act of collecting.

incidentally retrieved

Emphasizes the unintentional or secondary nature of the retrieval process.

superficially gleaned

Suggests a shallow or cursory gathering of information or insights, lacking depth or thoroughness.

perfunctorily selected

Conveys a sense of routine and lack of genuine interest in the act of selecting.

FAQs

What does "merely picked up" mean?

The phrase "merely picked up" indicates that someone acquired or obtained something with little effort or significance. It suggests a casual or effortless action.

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

You can use "merely picked up" to downplay the effort or importance of an action, such as "She "merely picked up" the book from the table and started reading."

What can I say instead of "merely picked up"?

You can use alternatives like "simply acquired", "easily obtained", or "casually took" depending on the context.

Is "merely picked up" formal or informal?

"Merely picked up" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it appears more frequently in news and media.