pick

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb (to choose or select something) or as a noun (a tool with a pointed end used for digging into something). Example sentence: I will have to pick which shirt to wear for the party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take your pick.

The New York Times

So we have created a strong incentive for hospitals in the system not to pick out the people who aren't entitled to free NHS care.

The Guardian

Read profiles of our 10 chosen charities, see our pick of their photographs and make a donation in the Christmas Charity Appeal area of our site.

The Guardian

If it were, I'd have my pick of going out or to the gym, traveling home, cooking and still have a window of time to escape through a screen into whatever imaginary medieval/criminal/ New York-ad-industry world takes my fancy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was due to the intervention of NAB and my itinerant teacher that I have been able to pick up the pieces.

The Guardian

If any player can soothe the Demon heartache that came when No2 pick Christian Petracca suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first months of his career, you'd think it's the young man who followed him by one place in the national draft.

The Guardian - Sport

Leonard spends much of his time talking to people at the core of the EU, and of late, he has started to pick up rising worry about whether the UK might leave.

The Guardian

Few midfielders, meanwhile, can pick out the open man in the box quite as consistently as Goldenballs.

The Guardian - Sport

There's a generous range of offerings for the health conscious: delicious freshly squeezed juices – the 'Get Up and Go' with apple, orange, pineapple and ginger is great road trip fuel – Merlo organic coffee, vibrant salads – don't miss the Thai beef salad with crunchy noodes - and some well-thought out vegetarian options, with the roasted butternut pumpkin salad a good pick.

The Guardian - Travel

That is, so long as the authorities haven't consolidated, rationalised and – well, take your pick from the beancounters' lexicon – I'll use destroyed one of the English summer's greatest joys.

The Guardian - Sport

He adds: "It would have been easier to pick someone really respected like Charlotte Gainsbourg … but this was more of a challenge, taking a band people were chucking bottles of piss at".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pick" to mean 'choose', ensure the context makes it clear that a selection is being made from a set of options. For example, "I need to pick a new outfit for the party."

Common error

While "pick" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for synonyms like "select" or "choose" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "pick" functions primarily as a verb, denoting actions such as choosing, gathering, or plucking. It also serves as a noun, referring to a tool or the act of choosing, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pick" is a versatile term with functions as both a verb and a noun. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function involves selecting or choosing, but it also encompasses physical actions like plucking or gathering. With a neutral register, "pick" is suitable for various contexts, as exemplified in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. Its high frequency and diverse usage patterns make it an essential term in English vocabulary. While generally correct, it's important to choose synonyms like "select" in more formal situations. Ludwig AI confirms that “pick” is correct and widely used in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

select

Emphasizes a deliberate choice from a range of options.

choose

A general term for making a decision between alternatives.

opt for

Suggests a preference or inclination towards a particular option.

handpick

Highlights a careful and selective choice.

pluck

Refers to removing something with a quick, precise action, often with fingers.

pluck out

Similar to pluck, but with more emphasis on isolating the selected item.

harvest

Specifically refers to gathering crops or produce.

cull

Implies removing something undesirable or substandard from a group.

gather

Indicates collecting items or things together.

glean

Implies extracting information or resources from a larger source with effort.

FAQs

How can I use "pick" in a sentence?

You can use "pick" in various ways, such as "I need to pick up groceries" or "Please pick a movie to watch tonight".

What can I say instead of "pick" when referring to choosing something?

You can use alternatives like "select", "choose", or "opt for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "pick at" to describe eating very little?

Yes, "pick at" can describe eating slowly or sparingly. For example, "She only picked at her dinner because she wasn't feeling well."

What's the difference between "pick up" and "collect"?

"Pick up" often implies obtaining something casually or from a specific location, while "collect" suggests a more deliberate and organized gathering. For example, you might "pick up" a friend from the airport, but you "collect" stamps as a hobby.