pick up again

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pick up again" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to resume or continue something that has been interrupted or paused. Example: After taking a break to grab some water, the athletes picked up the race again at full speed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But nothing is preordained, he said, particularly if the economy declines and protests pick up again.

The Washington Post

Markets may pick up again.

The Economist

She doesn't pick up again.

The New Yorker

The press conferences pick up again shortly.

The New York Times

We'll pick up again here next time.

The New Yorker

"We know it will pick up again".

The New York Times

The calls pick up again as temperatures drop.

The New York Times

But as reconstruction began, growth would pick up again.

The Economist

Economists say withdrawals may now pick up again.

The New York Times

It's hard just to drop and pick up again.

The Guardian - Film

"It's just starting to pick up again really.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pick up again" when you want to emphasize the resumption of an activity after an interruption, ensuring clarity about the pause and subsequent restart.

Common error

Do not overuse "again" in close proximity to "pick up again". Redundancy can weaken your writing. For example, instead of saying 'They picked up again again', consider rephrasing to 'They picked up again after a brief pause'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick up again" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the resumption of an activity or process after an interruption. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it is used to describe things like business, sports, and personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pick up again" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb that signifies the resumption of an activity after an interruption, as validated by Ludwig. It enjoys frequent use across diverse contexts, notably in news and media. Ludwig's analysis of various sources underscores its versatility and neutral tone, making it a valuable addition to both formal and informal communications. While alternatives like "resume" and "continue" exist, "pick up again" provides a nuanced emphasis on the interruption and subsequent restart.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take up where one paused

Highlights the act of resuming exactly where something was interrupted.

resume after a pause

Focuses on the act of restarting after a temporary halt.

continue where one left off

Emphasizes maintaining continuity from the point of interruption.

recommence following a break

A more formal way of saying to start again after a pause.

restart the process

Highlights the act of beginning a procedure from the beginning or from a saved state.

carry on after an interval

Suggests persistence in the face of a temporary suspension.

re-establish momentum

Implies regaining lost speed or progress.

revive activity

Focuses on restoring a state of liveliness or activity.

get back on track

Suggests returning to a planned course or path after a deviation.

return to the previous state

Highlights the action to revert to a state before an action.

FAQs

How can I use "pick up again" in a sentence?

You can use "pick up again" to describe resuming an activity after a pause. For example, "After the rain stopped, the game picked up again" or "The negotiations are expected to "resume shortly" and they will "pick up again" where they left off".

What is an alternative to "pick up again"?

Alternatives include "resume", "continue", or "recommence" depending on the context. Each alternative carries a similar meaning of restarting or carrying on after an interruption.

Is it correct to say "picked back up again"?

While understandable, "picked back up again" can be redundant. "Pick up again" already implies resuming something. Consider using just ""pick up again"" for conciseness.

What's the difference between "pick up again" and "start over"?

"Pick up again" implies resuming from where you left off, while "start over" means beginning from the very beginning. The choice depends on whether you're continuing or restarting.