pick up information

USAGE SUMMARY

'pick up information' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to gathering information, such as collecting data, research, or news. For example: "The journalists were sent out to pick up information on the new housing development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"His ability to pick up information was encouraging as well".

The New York Times - Sports

"In the valley, you pick up information about what's new and what's hot almost by osmosis".

The New York Times - Magazine

You can pick up information and if that helps, that helps.

The Guardian - Books

Stepfamilies, for example, may pick up information that was intended specifically for first-time families, whose needs are often different.

The New York Times

Please be sure that you have received and understood specific drop off and pick up information from the technician.

Columbia University

According to the authors, opinion leaders pick up information from the media, and this information then gets passed on to less-active members of the public.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

In addition, farmers can be ingenious in problem solving and if they pick-up information about FMNR from friends or other acquaintances they may well innovate and adapt the method to their own conditions.

Agricultural and Food Economics

What if blood picked up information as it streamed around the body?

The Guardian

They can help users navigate the building, picking up information at useful points.

The New York Times - Tech

"It's picking up information that may assist in preventing terrorist attacks and moving it to where it can help".

The New York Times

Google moved for dismissal, arguing that because it had picked up information only from unencrypted networks, it had not broken the law.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pick up information" to describe a casual or indirect way of learning something, such as through conversations or observations. For a more formal setting, consider using "gather information" or "collect data".

Common error

Avoid using "pick up information" in highly formal or technical contexts where a more precise term like "acquire knowledge" or "extract data" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick up information" functions as a phrasal verb, where "pick up" acts as the verb and "information" is the object. It describes the act of receiving or acquiring knowledge, facts, or details, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pick up information" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe acquiring knowledge, particularly in informal settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It implies a more casual or passive reception of information, distinct from a deliberate search. While widely used across news, academic, and scientific contexts, formality should be considered, with alternatives like "gather information" or "acquire knowledge" preferred in more formal writing. Its frequent occurrence in reputable sources underscores its validity and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather information

A more general term for collecting information from various sources.

learn about

A simpler term for gaining familiarity with a topic.

collect data

Specifically refers to gathering facts and statistics for analysis.

discover details

Highlights the finding of specific pieces of information.

obtain insights

Focuses on gaining a deeper understanding from the information acquired.

extract information

Emphasizes the process of carefully removing specific information from a larger source.

acquire knowledge

Implies a more formal and comprehensive understanding of a subject.

glean information

Suggests gathering information in small amounts, often indirectly.

ascertain facts

Emphasizes the process of verifying and establishing the truth.

unearth data

Suggests finding information that is hidden or not easily accessible.

FAQs

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

You can use "pick up information" to describe how someone casually learns or gathers details, such as "I often "pick up information" from news articles and conversations".

What's the difference between "pick up information" and "gather information"?

"Pick up information" often suggests a more casual or informal method of acquiring knowledge, while "gather information" implies a more deliberate and systematic approach.

Is it appropriate to use "pick up information" in academic writing?

While ""pick up information"" is grammatically correct, academic writing may benefit from more formal alternatives like "acquire knowledge" or "collect data" depending on the context.

What are some synonyms for "pick up information"?

Alternatives to "pick up information" include "gather information", "obtain insights", and "acquire knowledge", each carrying slightly different nuances.