pick for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pick for" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where someone is selecting or choosing something for someone else, but it is better to use more conventional phrases. Example: "I will pick for you the best option available."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But pick for yourself.

The New York Times

Surprise Pick for C.I.A.

The New York Times

Most support his pick for police commissioner.

The Economist

And your pick for best actress?

The New York Times

Friends are family you pick for yourselves.

The New York Times

Ty made the pick for seven.

The New York Times - Sports

A second round pick for sure.

The Guardian - Sport

Which could I pick for the hero?

The New Yorker

Which could I pick for my grandfather?

The New Yorker

It's my personal pick for overall game of the year.

The New York Times

They've already dumped the voters' pick for lieutenant governor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if "choose for" or "select for" might provide a more precise and grammatically standard alternative to "pick for".

Common error

Avoid using "pick for" in highly formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "select for" or "designate for" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick for" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of choosing or selecting something on behalf of someone else. The verb "pick" takes on the meaning of selecting when followed by the preposition "for". As Ludwig AI mentioned, the usage is acceptable, although it could be improved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pick for" is a commonly used verb phrase indicating the act of choosing or selecting something on behalf of someone else. While acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it's not always the most grammatically precise choice, particularly in formal contexts. Alternatives like "choose for" or "select for" often provide a more refined option. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, "pick for" maintains a neutral to informal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choose for

Direct synonym, focusing on the act of choosing on behalf of someone.

select for

Similar to "choose for", but may imply a more careful or deliberate selection.

handpick for

Emphasizes careful and personal selection.

designate for

Implies assigning a specific role or purpose through selection.

appoint for

Suggests a formal assignment or selection for a role.

nominate for

Suggests choosing someone for an award, position, or honor.

elect for

Implies selection through a voting process.

secure for

Indicates selecting/reserving for someone's exclusive use.

arrange for

Suggests organizing something specifically through selection or choice.

find for

Indicates the act of searching and locating something and select it for someone.

FAQs

What is a more formal alternative to "pick for"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "select for" or "designate for", which convey a more professional tone.

Is "pick for" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, especially in informal contexts, "pick for" isn't the most grammatically precise phrase. Alternatives like "choose for" or "select for" are often preferred.

How can I use "pick for" in a sentence?

You can use "pick for" to indicate selecting something on behalf of someone else, as in "I will pick a gift for you" but in a more informal way.

What's the difference between "pick for" and "choose for"?

"Pick for" is generally considered more informal than "choose for". In formal writing, it's usually best to use "choose for".