picked by hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked by hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe items that have been selected or harvested manually, often implying care and attention to detail. Example: "The fruits in this basket are all picked by hand to ensure the highest quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Whereas in the 1950s 90% of the cotton was picked by hand, now none is.

The Economist

In 1964, 97percentt of California tomatoes were picked by hand.

The New York Times

The cherries are mostly picked by hand, although some larger farms use mechanical pickers.

The Times

Unlike other crops, strawberries must be picked by hand – but do not like to be touched.

The Guardian

By law, the gamay grapes from which Beaujolais is made must be picked by hand.

The New York Times - Food

These days, cotton is rarely picked by hand — machines do the work.

The New York Times

The cashew apples are picked by hand, and the curved fruits are first detached and then sun dried.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These farms grow crops that mostly have to be tended and picked by hand, such as apples, oranges and strawberries.

The Economist

Fifty years ago, tomatoes were picked by hand, backbreaking piecework that involved filling and lugging 50-pound boxes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The people who need organic food more than anyone else are the 2 million farm workers in the United States who pick by hand almost all of the fresh fruits and vegetables in the United States.

The Washington Post

He decided to go old-fashioned and pick by hand.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "picked by hand" to emphasize the care, quality, or traditional methods associated with harvesting or selection. This is particularly effective in marketing contexts or when describing artisanal processes.

Common error

Avoid using "picked by hand" in highly technical or scientific writing where a more precise term like 'manually selected' would be more appropriate. Maintain objectivity and precision in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picked by hand" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase, indicating the method by which something is gathered or selected. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where it describes the harvesting of crops or selection of specific items. This form emphasizes the action and the human involvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "picked by hand" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that emphasizes manual harvesting or selection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across a variety of contexts, especially in news and media. It's best used to highlight the human touch and often conveys a sense of quality or traditional methods. While generally neutral in tone, avoid overuse in highly technical contexts where more precise language may be required. Alternatives include "hand-picked" and "manually harvested", which offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand-picked

Adjective form emphasizing selection by a person, implying careful choice.

manually harvested

More formal term emphasizing the manual aspect of harvesting.

harvested by hand

Similar meaning, but with a slightly different word order, putting emphasis on the action of harvesting.

hand-selected

Focuses on the act of choosing carefully by hand.

personally selected

Highlights individual selection, implying a personal touch.

plucked by hand

Suggests a more delicate or precise method of manual harvesting.

gathered by hand

Implies a more gentle and perhaps less structured form of harvesting.

hand-gathered

Focuses on the manual aspect of the gathering process.

sorted manually

Emphasizes the manual separation and categorization of items.

culled by hand

Suggests a selection process where inferior items are removed manually.

FAQs

What does "picked by hand" mean?

The phrase "picked by hand" means that something has been manually harvested or selected, rather than by machine. It often implies a higher level of care and attention to detail.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "picked by hand"?

It's appropriate to use "picked by hand" when you want to emphasize the manual aspect of harvesting or selection, often suggesting a higher quality or more artisanal process. It's commonly used when describing produce, ingredients, or other goods where manual handling adds value.

What are some alternatives to "picked by hand"?

You can use alternatives like "hand-picked", "manually harvested", or "hand-selected" depending on the specific context. These alternatives offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

Is "picked by hand" better than "hand-picked"?

Neither phrase is inherently better; it depends on the context. "Picked by hand" is a verb phrase that describes the action, while "hand-picked" is an adjective that describes the item. For example, 'The olives are picked by hand' versus 'These are hand-picked olives'.