pick from among

USAGE SUMMARY

"pick from among" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to choose from a number of options. For example, you could say, "Please pick from among these three books to find one you would like to read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

In the first two, the three contenstants pick from among 30 clues in six categories.

The Economist

In the Netherlands users can pick from among 37 lawful "shooting galleries"; Germany has 26.

The Economist

You can pick from among them based on your level of concern.

The New York Times - Books

Asked to pick from among 16 possible presidential candidates, 33percentt chose him.

The Washington Post

That is crucial because users have a strong propensity to pick from among the top few ads.

The New York Times - Tech

Each week a different literacy organization chose winners, and each week we heard from them just how difficult it was to pick from among the excellent entries.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It picks from among competing integration projects and provides resources that enable them to succeed.

Harvard Business Review

The dead from the earlier wars were picked from among thousands of men who were unidentifiable by the science of their times.

The New York Times

Since neither of them is a New York State resident, the titleholder had to be picked from among the players who tied for third with 4 1/2-1 1/2.

The New York Times

Some members of the advisory board would be picked by the state, and others by the city, while the program management director would be picked from among candidates approved by the governor.

The New York Times

The ostensible incentive for not flying home is that success allows the cast members the option of remaining together or picking from among the other contestants, with whom they can then go on to share rustic, eco-lodge-like accommodations.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing options, use "pick from among" to clearly indicate that a selection should be made from a defined set of choices. For example, "Pick from among these available dates to schedule your appointment."

Common error

Avoid using "pick from among" when a simpler verb like "choose" or "select" is sufficient. Redundancy can make your writing sound less concise and more awkward. For example, instead of saying "Pick one item from among these choices", simply say "Choose one item from these choices".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick from among" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a set of options from which a selection is to be made. As confirmed by Ludwig, the expression is correct and appropriate for use in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pick from among" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for indicating a selection from a set of options. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves the purpose of offering a choice and guiding decision-making. While generally neutral, it leans towards informality. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "select from". Remember to use it when you have a variety of options presented and want to clarify the act of choosing from that set.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

select from

A more formal and direct way of saying "pick from among".

make a selection from

Emphasizes the act of choosing rather than the source.

choose between

Focuses on selecting between two specific options.

take your pick from

An informal invitation to choose freely.

opt for one of

Suggests a deliberate choice or preference.

handpick from

Highlights a careful and selective choice.

decide on one from

Focuses on the decision-making process.

draw from

Implies taking something out of a larger collection.

cherry-pick from

Suggests choosing only the best or most desirable items.

single out from

Implies selecting one item for special attention or treatment.

FAQs

How to use "pick from among" in a sentence?

You can use "pick from among" to indicate selecting one or more items from a set of options, as in, "Please pick from among the listed candidates to form the committee."

What can I say instead of "pick from among"?

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

Which is correct, "pick from among" or "choose from among"?

Both "pick from among" and "choose from among" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning, but "pick" is slightly less formal.

What's the difference between "pick from among" and "choose between"?

"Pick from among" implies selecting from a group of three or more options, while "choose between" typically refers to selecting from only two options.