personally picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personally picked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone selected or chose something themselves, often implying a personal touch or preference. Example: "The gifts were all personally picked by her to reflect the unique tastes of each recipient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

She personally picked baby gifts for low-ranking traders.

The New York Times - Magazine

Jack O'Connell stars in the lead in Unbroken, after Jolie personally picked him for the role.

Independent

He personally picked the senior judges, by a process heavily criticised for being almost entirely secretive.

The Guardian

Once, Heston would have personally picked them based on some spurious criteria.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A few years ago he personally picked out the carpeting in the ballroom, which has these big flowers on it.

The New York Times - Arts

I personally picked up all the cloth from the floor, and I filled some 30 gallon bags, weighing about 1,500lb in total.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

My tailor is personally picking me up at Heathrow.

The New Yorker

She personally picks designer clothes by day, T-shirts and sweatpants by night.

The New York Times

Although Mr. Corrado years ago gave up personally picking up produce from South Jersey farms, he is at work when two trailers roll in at 6 a.m. daily.

The New York Times

Personally picking and choose whether you'd like to have one of these in your backyard is not what it's all about.

The New York Times

Michael Doneff personally picks each item he sells at Nice House, which he opened in October after 14 years in public relations and marketing in home furnishings and design.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personally picked" to emphasize a deliberate and thoughtful selection, often implying a personal connection or preference.

Common error

While acceptable, "personally picked" can sound informal in some professional settings. Consider alternatives like "personally selected" for a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personally picked" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a past participle adjective modifying a noun. It emphasizes the agency and direct involvement of an individual in the act of selecting something. This aligns with the Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personally picked" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to emphasize the active and deliberate selection made by an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase applicable in various contexts, though it's most frequently found in news and media. While acceptable, more formal alternatives like "personally selected" may be more appropriate in certain professional settings. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to convey a sense of personal involvement and careful consideration in the act of choosing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand-picked

Emphasizes careful and deliberate selection by hand.

personally selected

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the act of choosing.

personally hand-selected

Combines both personal involvement and careful selection.

individually chosen

Highlights the unique selection of each item.

directly chose

Focuses on the directness of the selection process.

made a personal selection

Emphasizes the personal aspect of the choice.

personally decided on

Highlights the decision-making aspect of the selection.

carefully chose

Focuses on the care and attention given to the selection.

personally oversaw the selection of

Suggests a more managerial role in the selection process.

took personal charge of selecting

Emphasizes taking responsibility for the selection.

FAQs

What does "personally picked" mean?

It means that someone has chosen something themselves, with their own involvement and often based on their personal preferences or criteria.

What can I say instead of "personally picked"?

You can use alternatives like "hand-picked", "personally selected", or "individually chosen", depending on the context.

Is "personally picked" grammatically correct?

Yes, "personally picked" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English.

When is it appropriate to use "personally picked"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the personal involvement and deliberate nature of someone's selection. It is considered acceptable, but consider your audince and the purpose of your text.