pick a choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pick a choice" is grammatically correct but somewhat redundant. You can use it in contexts where you want to emphasize the act of selecting from options. Example: "Please pick a choice from the menu." Alternative expressions include "make a choice" and "select an option."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If you make a mistake entering a number or you pick a choice you didn't mean, press "cancel" or "no".

WikiHow

By Kerry's logic, Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor, whom John McCain named as his running mate, was an August pick, a choice made by a candidate who was falling behind and needed to re-start his campaign at his nominating Convention.

The New Yorker

Indeed, the book, by the first-time novelist Tatiana de Rosnay, was well on its way to sinking out of sight last fall when Target, the discount retailer, chose the paperback version of "Sarah's Key" as its Bookmarked Club Pick: a choice for a program that designates titles for prominent display throughout the chain's stores.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In such a situation, it is natural to require that the player does not rule out the possibility that her opponent will pick a "choice-worthy" option.

SEP

He hadn't thought of it again until earlier this season when he bumped into Williams again, and the coach thought Cometti would get a kick out of knowing that the Giants had picked a choice phrase out of the motivational spiel and had it plastered over their locker room walls: "You can go back to the place but not to the time".

The Guardian - Sport

The formula was as follows: n > z2 × (p) × 1-p /cc z = z value (1-p /cor 95% confidence level) p = percentage picking a choice, we set at 35% (existing child stunting level) = 0.35 c = confidence interval.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

And they're not going to take the risk of picking a pro-choice governor and having the convention become all about abortion".

The New York Times

He picked North Carolina, a choice that proved wrong.

The New York Times

Having picked out a choice site on the underdeveloped International Riverfront, Detroit Renaissance was left to figure out what sort of project it wanted to build – and, more importantly, who should design it.

The Guardian

She picks Thomas Keller, a choice no one can argue with.

Huffington Post

We ended up picking a high-end choice, the 16-room Hacienda Tamarindo in Esperanza.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the act of selecting, "pick a choice" can be used, but consider using more concise alternatives like "make a selection" or "choose an option" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "pick a choice" when a simpler verb like "choose" or "select" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick a choice" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "pick" acts as the main verb and "a choice" serves as the object. The phrase implies the action of selecting from a set of available options. Ludwig indicates this phrase is grammatically correct, but potentially redundant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pick a choice" is grammatically correct but often considered redundant. As shown by Ludwig, more concise alternatives like "choose" or "select" are generally preferred. While it appears in various contexts such as news, science, and general writing, it is most effective when emphasizing the act of selecting from a defined set of options. Using this phrase sparingly and being mindful of its potential redundancy will enhance clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a selection

Replaces "pick" with the more formal "make" and "choice" with "selection", implying a more deliberate act of choosing.

choose an option

Substitutes "pick" with "choose" and "choice" with "option", both common synonyms in selection contexts.

select a preference

Replaces "pick" with "select" and "choice" with "preference", suggesting a more subjective selection based on personal taste.

opt for a solution

Emphasizes choosing a resolution from available solutions rather than just picking any option.

decide on a course

Suggests making a decision about a path or direction, rather than a simple selection.

determine an alternative

Highlights the determination process leading to the selection of an alternative.

designate a favorite

Indicates the act of identifying and assigning something as the most liked or preferred.

name a selection

Implies the formal naming or identification of a chosen item or person.

secure a selection

Implies obtaining or ensuring a particular selection, often in a competitive context.

adopt a measure

Focuses on choosing and implementing a specific action or strategy.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "pick a choice"?

You can use alternatives like "make a selection", "choose an option", or simply "choose" or "select" depending on the context.

Is "pick a choice" grammatically correct?

Yes, "pick a choice" is grammatically correct, but it can be seen as somewhat redundant. The word "choice" implies there's a selection to be made, so saying "pick a choice" might be seen as repetitive.

When is it appropriate to use "pick a choice"?

While grammatically correct, it's better to use more concise options. The phrase could be appropriate when you want to emphasize the act of choosing specifically from a set of defined options. For example: "Please pick a choice from the menu".

What's the difference between "pick a choice" and "make a choice"?

While they both express the act of selecting, "make a choice" is generally more common and less redundant. "Pick a choice" can sometimes emphasize a deliberate selection from pre-existing options.