pick up garbage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pick up garbage" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
For example, you could say, "I'm going to go pick up garbage in the park today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"So when me and Bryan go out" -- Bryan Thomas, the Jets' first-round pick -- "and we're talking to some ladies, when they ask, 'What do you do,' we say, 'We pick up garbage.' And if they're willing to talk to you if you pick up garbage, and take you for what you are, you might have something".

The New York Times - Magazine

Return all chairs to their proper location at the computer tables and pick up garbage.

Princeton University

He can pick up garbage around the basket and score from inside of 18 feet.

The New York Times - Sports

"They didn't have me pick up garbage on the side of the road," she said.

The New York Times

He contracted with private companies to pick up garbage, prepare food and even run that alternative school for wayward students.

The New York Times

Not only did he have to go to class, he had to pick up garbage in Times Square for a day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Gene Gotti said Peter should have stayed "picking up garbage cans".

The New York Times

He picks up garbage, fills the water tank, digs graves, does the books from his car or a diner and takes calls from imams and funeral homes.

The New York Times

They also have a "Clean Vibes" crew that picks up garbage and teaches attendees how to recycle properly.

Vice

He began by picking up garbage around his street corner.

The New York Times

(They were thought to be useful for picking up garbage).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about community service or environmental efforts, using "pick up garbage" can be a clear and direct way to describe the activity. For example, "Volunteers will meet at the park to "pick up garbage" and improve the local environment."

Common error

While "pick up garbage" is generally understood, be specific about the waste type if needed. For example, instead of just saying "pick up garbage", specify "pick up recyclable garbage" or "pick up hazardous garbage" to avoid misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pick up garbage" is a phrasal verb acting as the main verb in a sentence. It describes the action of collecting and removing waste. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pick up garbage" is a grammatically sound and widely understood phrasal verb that describes the action of collecting and removing waste. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a range of contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media, followed by Academia. When using this phrase, be specific about the type of waste if necessary to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "collect trash" and "remove refuse". The phrase maintains a neutral tone and is suitable for various communications, from news reports to everyday conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect trash

Focuses more generally on gathering trash.

take out the trash

Common idiom for removing household waste.

clean up trash

Highlights the cleaning aspect of removing garbage.

gather rubbish

Uses a different term for garbage, 'rubbish'.

remove refuse

More formal term for taking away waste material.

clear up litter

Similar to 'clear away litter', emphasizing tidiness.

clear away litter

Specifically refers to removing scattered waste.

haul away garbage

Focuses on the act of transporting garbage.

dispose of waste

Emphasizes the action of getting rid of garbage.

manage waste

Implies a broader handling and processing of waste.

FAQs

What does "pick up garbage" mean?

The phrase "pick up garbage" means to collect and remove discarded waste or trash from a specific area.

What can I say instead of "pick up garbage"?

You can use alternatives like "collect trash", "remove refuse", or "clear away litter" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "picking up garbage"?

Yes, "picking up garbage" is the present participle form of the verb phrase and is grammatically correct. You might use it in a sentence like, "She is busy picking up garbage in the park."

What is the difference between "pick up trash" and "pick up garbage"?

The terms "trash" and "garbage" are often used interchangeably. Therefore, "pick up trash" and "pick up garbage" have very similar meanings and can be used in almost all contexts.