pick up from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pick up from' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the point in time, location, or conversation where one left off. For example: "We left off talking about the company's new logo design - let's pick up from there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

There are more subjective considerations that you pick up from how you feel a team is really performing".

The New York Times - Sports

We put on this new music, and dance while I pick up from lunch.

HuffPost

Avoid noise pick up from power cables.

WikiHow

We have to pick up from there.

The Guardian - Sport

"Because you pick up from the top".

The New York Times - Books

"Their parents will pick up from the children," she said.

The New York Times

You will need to arrange pick up from these local sites.

Harvard University

These biases are often informed by cues we pick up from our social environments.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

And possibly, there are one or two tips that you can pick-up from how these organizations manage staff.

Cornell University

Ovum pick-up from follicles >2 mm in diameter was performed 44 h after the last p-FSH (coasting).

Journal of Dairy Science

Postscript on 4/11: We got some nice pick-up from AdWeek's "Fishbowl" column – here.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pick up from" to clearly indicate the point of continuation, whether it's a conversation, a project, or a skill. For example, "Let's pick up from where we left off last week's meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "pick up from" when there is no prior context or established baseline. It incorrectly suggests a resumption when nothing has been started before. For example, instead of "Let's pick up from here with the project," when it's the first meeting, try "Let's start the project here".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pick up from" is that of a phrasal verb indicating the resumption or continuation of an action, conversation, or process from a specific point. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "pick up from" correctly indicates the resumption or continuation of an activity, conversation, or process from a specific point, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and widely used across various registers, from news and academic writing to informal conversation. The most frequent contexts include News & Media and Academia. Related phrases such as "continue from" and "resume from" provide similar meanings, though with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure there is a clear prior context to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resume from

Focuses on continuing an activity or discussion after an interruption.

continue from

Highlights the unbroken sequence of events or actions.

recommence from

Emphasizes a formal restart of something.

derive from

Implies obtaining or developing something from a source.

build upon

Suggests expanding or elaborating on an existing foundation.

gather from

Focuses on collecting information or insights from a particular place or source.

glean from

Implies carefully extracting information from a larger source.

learn from

Emphasizes gaining knowledge or understanding through experience or instruction.

understand from

Highlights comprehension or interpretation based on given information.

advance from

Suggests moving forward from a specific stage or condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "pick up from" to indicate resuming something after an interruption. For example, "We'll pick up from this point tomorrow", or "Can we pick up from where we stopped talking yesterday?"

What are some alternatives to "pick up from"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "continue from", "resume from", or "build upon".

Is it correct to say "pick up from where we left off"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "pick up from where we left off" is a common and idiomatic way to indicate that you are resuming something from the exact point where it was previously stopped.

What does "pick up from" mean in the context of learning?

In the context of learning, "pick up from" can mean to learn something indirectly or informally, or to continue learning from a specific point. For example, "Children often pick up from their parents' habits", or "The students pick up from there and keep learning the game by being exposed to it."