pick not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pick not to" is not standard in written English and may be confusing to readers.
It could be used in contexts where someone is choosing not to do something, but it is more common to use simpler constructions. Example: "I had to pick not to attend the event due to prior commitments."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

McKinnie, the seventh overall pick in this year's draft and the only first-round pick not to sign, is the lone defendant.

The New York Times - Sports

Harrington, a hard-throwing right-hander out of Palmdale High School in California, was the only first-round pick not to sign.

The New York Times - Sports

He became the only first-round pick not to agree to terms when defensive tackle Wallace Bryant, the 12th overall pick, signed with the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 12.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was the only one of the Steelers' draft picks not to make the team, which went on to win the Super Bowl after the 2005 season.

The New York Times

We have only included the regions having differential methylation and differential expression significance (FDR) below 0.1, which was picked not to be too stringent.

BMC Genomics

From the 1996 through 2003 drafts, Brown and Michael Olowakandi have been the only top picks not to be selected as All-Stars.

The New York Times

As a result I have included more books in these categories as my staff picks, not to achieve quotas, but because they are bloody good books.

The Guardian - Books

Unlike last week's leaders' interviews, the audience has been picked not according to the current polls but a specific ratio.

The Guardian

To pick or not to pick?

The Guardian - Sport

To Pick or Not to Pick, it was never really a choice anyhow!

Huffington Post

Some entertainers say to pick up guns, some say not to pick up guns.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using more common alternatives like "choose not to" or "opt not to" instead of "pick not to".

Common error

Avoid using "pick not to" in formal writing. This phrase is less common and may sound awkward; more formal alternatives such as "choose not to" or "decline to" are better suited for professional or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick not to" functions as a connector, indicating a choice or decision against a particular option or action. As Ludwig notes, it's used in contexts where someone is choosing not to do something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pick not to" is used to express a deliberate choice against something. While grammatically acceptable, it is relatively rare and tends to be less formal. Ludwig suggests that while understandable, it's not as common as alternatives like "choose not to" or "opt not to", and using those alternatives is generally preferable, particularly in formal contexts. The phrase is found across various sources, including news, scientific, and wiki domains, but its less frequent usage indicates that writers should carefully consider the context and audience when opting for this phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choose not to

Replaces "pick" with the more common "choose", maintaining the same meaning of making a decision to avoid something.

opt not to

Uses "opt" to suggest a deliberate choice against a particular action or option.

decline to pick

Emphasizes the refusal to select or choose something.

refrain from picking

Highlights the act of holding back from making a particular choice or selection.

abstain from picking

Suggests a conscious decision to avoid choosing, often for moral or strategic reasons.

desist from picking

Focuses on stopping or ceasing to make a particular selection.

elect not to pick

Uses "elect" to indicate a formal or considered decision against selecting something.

pass on picking

Informally suggests declining to make a particular choice or selection.

avoid picking

Highlights the action of steering clear of making a specific selection.

eschew picking

Emphasizes deliberately avoiding making a choice, often due to ethical or aesthetic reasons.

FAQs

What does "pick not to" mean?

The phrase "pick not to" means to choose or select against something, deciding not to take a particular option.

What can I say instead of "pick not to"?

You can use alternatives like "choose not to", "opt not to", or "decline to pick" depending on the context.

Is "pick not to" grammatically correct?

While "pick not to" is understandable, it's less common than alternatives like "choose not to". It's generally acceptable but may sound awkward in formal contexts.

How can I use "pick not to" in a sentence?

You might say, "I had to "pick not to" attend the event due to prior commitments", though it's more common to say "I chose not to attend".