pick up knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pick up knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a sentence such as: "I'm looking forward to picking up knowledge from this course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It doesn't take long to pick up knowledge.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm just looking to pick up knowledge that I think will be the most relevant right now".

The Guardian

They will pick up knowledge of libel laws and of how the government works, along with some shorthand.

The Guardian

The best examples blend in with their surroundings and encourage families to pick up knowledge about local fauna and flora, as well as allowing children to run amok and burn up energy.

The Guardian - Travel

Several national programs have been started to train more people to stop bleeding, to add to those who pick up knowledge in the military or in scouting programs and the like.

The New York Times

sites so will have little time to pick up knowledge of local business.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We kind of stumbled from adventure to adventure, picking up knowledge like found money.

The New York Times - Travel

"Politicians and advisers are reading blogs, picking up knowledge and in some cases changing their minds on things," he says.

The Guardian

Like Manchester United through the 1990s, they were picking up knowledge and experience all the time, becoming more powerful and more difficult to beat.

The Guardian - Sport

But in each of those jobs, I picked up knowledge and skills that I was able to weave into my current work.

The New York Times

"Before I came here, I had been picking up knowledge piecemeal in libraries," said Meredith Neuman, an assistant professor of English at Clark University enrolled in the bookbinding class.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pick up knowledge" when you want to convey the idea of acquiring information or skills in a casual or informal way, often through experience or exposure.

Common error

Avoid using "pick up knowledge" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "acquire knowledge" or "develop expertise" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick up knowledge" functions as a verb phrase. It's used to describe the action of acquiring or learning information, often in an informal or experiential way. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pick up knowledge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing the process of acquiring information or skills, often through informal or experiential means. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context. It is recommended to opt for more formal alternatives like "acquire knowledge" or "gain knowledge" in academic or highly professional settings. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media and Science sources, demonstrating its broad applicability across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire knowledge

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the process of gaining knowledge.

gain knowledge

Similar to "acquire knowledge", this option suggests obtaining knowledge, often through effort or experience.

learn

This is a more general term, indicating the process of gaining understanding or skill.

assimilate knowledge

This suggests integrating knowledge into one's existing understanding.

develop understanding

Focuses on the growth of comprehension rather than simply obtaining facts.

cultivate knowledge

This implies a deliberate and ongoing effort to expand one's knowledge.

absorb information

Emphasizes the passive reception and integration of information.

gather insights

Focuses on obtaining deeper understandings or perspectives.

glean information

Suggests collecting information bit by bit, often from various sources.

build expertise

This emphasizes developing a high level of skill or knowledge in a particular area.

FAQs

What does "pick up knowledge" mean?

The phrase "pick up knowledge" means to learn or acquire information, skills, or understanding, often through informal means or experience.

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

You can use alternatives like "acquire knowledge", "gain knowledge", or "learn" depending on the context.

Is "pick up knowledge" formal or informal?

"Pick up knowledge" is generally considered more informal. In formal or academic writing, alternatives like "acquire knowledge" or "gain knowledge" might be more appropriate.

How do you use "pick up knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "pick up knowledge" in a sentence like: "I hope to pick up knowledge about different cultures during my travels."