picked a bus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked a bus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the action of selecting or choosing a bus for travel or transportation. Example: "After considering several options, I finally picked a bus that would take me to the city center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The bomber picked a bus in a quiet, prosperous neighborhood and struck just as schools were letting out.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Dr. Ballard picked a hydrogen-fueled bus as a marketing tool to demonstrate a possible use of the fuel cell.

The New York Times

You can pick up a bus in the capital at the central market (about $4 each way) or have your hotel hire you a private taxi ($40 to $55).

The New York Times - Travel

Picking up a bus from Lochgilphead, the last place that feels like the mainland, I sat back to enjoy one of the longer journeys on this trip, the 50-odd miles south to one of Argyll's largest, yet least visited, towns.

The Guardian - Travel

As for their program characteristics, the administrators were specifically asked about the type of transportation services they offered: pick up at a bus stop, pick up at home by car (hereinafter, door-to-door), or other types of transportation services such as providing taxi vouchers and program-run vehicles.

BMC Geriatrics

We got picked up by a bus early in the morning and then taken out to a cornfield.

The New York Times

The flight's six crew members — who were not seriously injured — helped the passengers make their way off the plane through the emergency exits, and into the rain".When I came off the aircraft I saw that we were about 10-15 from from the sea and boulders, so I walked on the beach to the road, where we were picked up by a bus," Robert Mais, a passenger, told the Jamaican Gleaner newspaper.

The New York Times

The passengers were picked up by a bus and transported to the domestic terminal, where they were questioned by the police.

Wikipedia

If you're a parent of a child who is on their way to sleep-away camp this summer, you've probably been stressing out over the never-ending rush to get them packed before they get picked up at a bus depot somewhere along the eastern seaboard.

Huffington Post

As he was picking things up a bus sped past & he thought he spotted Anne wearing a red beret (The scouts had worn red berets).

The New Yorker

Watch your pockets when you're standing close to someone - it's easy to get pick-pocketed on a bus! Entering through the rear door of a bus is often illegal and, if caught, can subject you to a citation, regardless of whether or not you have a valid ticket or pass.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about transportation, consider the context. Use "picked a bus" when you want to emphasize the selection process. For example, "After reviewing the schedule, I picked a bus that suited my travel plans".

Common error

Avoid using "picked a bus" interchangeably with phrases like "take a bus" or "catch a bus" if the context requires emphasizing the act of choosing or selecting, not merely using, the bus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picked a bus" functions as a verb phrase where "picked" is the past tense of the verb "pick", indicating the action of choosing or selecting, and "a bus" serves as the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "picked a bus" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe the act of selecting a specific bus. According to Ludwig AI, it's a valid expression in English. While not as common as simply "taking a bus", it emphasizes the choice or selection process. The phrase is primarily found in News & Media contexts, but also appears in Science and Wiki sources. For more formal situations, alternatives like "selected a bus" might be more appropriate. When writing, use "picked a bus" to highlight the decision-making aspect of choosing a particular bus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chose a bus

A simple synonym, replacing "picked" with "chose" to denote selection.

selected a bus

Replaces "picked" with "selected", offering a more formal tone.

caught a bus

Indicates successfully boarding or getting on a bus.

took a bus

Means to use a bus as a means of transport.

boarded a bus

Suggests the action of getting onto a bus, often in a more formal context.

hopped on a bus

Implies quickly or casually getting on a bus.

got on a bus

A common way of saying that someone entered the bus.

grabbed a bus

Implies a quick decision to take a bus, possibly in a hurry.

found a bus

Focuses on the act of locating a suitable bus, suggesting a search.

opted for a bus

Suggests that a bus was chosen from multiple transportation options.

FAQs

What does "picked a bus" mean?

The phrase "picked a bus" means to have selected or chosen a specific bus, often for transportation. It emphasizes the selection process over the mere act of using a bus.

What can I say instead of "picked a bus"?

You can use alternatives like "chose a bus", "selected a bus", or "opted for a bus", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "picked a bus"?

Yes, the phrase "picked a bus" is grammatically correct and understandable. It is used to describe the action of selecting a specific bus for a particular reason.

When should I use "picked a bus" instead of "took a bus"?

Use "picked a bus" when the selection aspect is important. For instance, "I picked a bus with Wi-Fi" highlights a feature-based choice, whereas "I took a bus" simply states the mode of transport.