picked away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of gradually removing or taking something piece by piece. Example: "Over the years, the old paint on the fence was picked away by the harsh weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He invited Paris's scientific élite to gather and watch as he picked away at the fossil with a fine needle.

The New Yorker

The remains of the collapsed trade center buildings have been picked away, but the wounds they created are still visible.

The New York Times

Gulliver looked down to check he had just picked away the last traces of his own dabs.

The Guardian - Business

The Yankees picked away for some more runs, but in the top of the ninth, reliever Jeff Nelson covered first too late on an infield hit.

The New York Times - Sports

For four years, a team of six researchers picked away at the story of Len and Erin in our two time frames, 1945-48 and today.

The Guardian

Lucara's workers picked away the debris, washed off the dust, and found the biggest gem-quality diamond recovered in a hundred years.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Pick away according to taste.

Independent

"You pick away at a question," Byrne said.

The New Yorker

He tried to pick away at the cinder-block wall.

The New Yorker

Right from the start, Baran picks away at this idea.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I began picking away at my own personality and that was dizzying," he said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "picked away" to describe a gradual process of removing something, whether physically or metaphorically, often implying a persistent or meticulous effort.

Common error

Avoid using "picked away" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise verbs like "gradually eroded" or "systematically dismantled" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "picked away" functions primarily as a verb of process, describing an action that occurs gradually and often meticulously. Ludwig's examples show it used both literally, like removing debris, and metaphorically, like criticizing arguments or eroding confidence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "picked away" effectively conveys the idea of a gradual or incremental removal. As evidenced by Ludwig, its usage is most common in news and media contexts, with a neutral tone suitable for describing both literal and figurative processes. While grammatically correct and widely used, alternative phrases such as "gradually eroded" or "chipped away at" might be more appropriate in highly formal writing. The linguistic AI confirms the correctness of this sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually eroded

Emphasizes the slow, destructive process similar to "picked away".

dismantled gradually

Highlights the methodical and slow approach to taking something apart.

chipped away at

Suggests a piecemeal dismantling, similar to picking.

peeled away at

Implies removing something layer by layer.

eroded bit by bit

Stresses the incremental nature of the removal or destruction.

nibbled at

Implies small, persistent attempts to diminish something.

whittled down

Highlights the reduction in size or importance through gradual removal.

gradually diminished

Focuses on the gradual reduction in value or quantity.

slowly undermined

Focuses on the weakening effect of persistent action.

criticized relentlessly

Shifts the focus to verbal attacks instead of physical removal, but conveys a persistent negative action.

FAQs

How can I use "picked away" in a sentence?

You can use "picked away" to describe the gradual removal of something, for example: "The waves picked away at the sandy beach over time."

What are some alternatives to "picked away"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "chipped away at", "gradually eroded", or "slowly undermined".

Is "picked away" formal or informal?

"Picked away" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in various contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or business writing.

How does "picked away" differ from "taken away"?

"Picked away" implies a slow, gradual removal or diminishment, while "taken away" suggests a more abrupt or complete removal.