picked her up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked her up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of collecting or lifting something or someone. For example: "The eagle swooped down and picked her up in its talons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"He picked her up and threw her.

The New York Times

"I picked her up," Rob Ford said.

The Guardian

Maybe someone picked her up in a boat.

The New Yorker

He picked her up and continued his conversation with reporters.

The New York Times - Sports

They picked her up on their way to school.

The New Yorker

"I'm glad he picked her up," Mr. Dubin said.

The New York Times

When I picked her up, she vomited again, on me.

The New York Times

He picked her up and kissed her on the forehead.

The New Yorker

After a day shopping, they picked her up from school.

Independent

She went on: I picked her up and I swinged.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Eakin was rapt, but her father picked her up before she could finish reading.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using synonyms such as "collected her" or "gave her a ride" to prevent repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "picked her up" in contexts where the intended meaning is metaphorical without providing adequate context. Ensure the reader can clearly distinguish between the literal act of lifting and a figurative interpretation to prevent miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picked her up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, where "picked" is the past tense of the verb "pick" and "up" is a particle. It describes an action, either physically lifting someone or collecting them from a location. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is versatile and readily understood in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "picked her up" is a very common and versatile phrasal verb with two primary meanings: physically lifting someone or collecting someone from a place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Context is crucial for understanding the intended meaning, as the phrase itself doesn't always make it clear. To avoid ambiguity, be specific and descriptive. Alternatives like "gave her a ride" or ""lifted her"" can add clarity. With high usage frequency in News & Media, this phrase maintains a neutral to slightly informal register, making it suitable for diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lifted her

Highlights the physical action of raising someone.

collected her

Emphasizes the act of gathering someone from a specific location.

carried her

Emphasizes the act of physically bearing someone's weight.

gave her a ride

Focuses on transportation, emphasizing providing a lift to someone.

fetched her

Highlights going to get someone and bringing them back.

took her

General term indicating escorting or leading someone.

retrieved her

Focuses on recovering someone from a situation or place.

escorted her

Focuses on providing formal or protective accompaniment.

transported her

Focuses on the act of moving someone from one place to another.

hoisted her

Emphasizes lifting someone with effort, often implying weight.

FAQs

How can I use "picked her up" in a sentence?

You can use "picked her up" to describe physically lifting someone, such as, "He "lifted her" and carried her across the threshold." Alternatively, it can mean collecting someone, like, "I "collected her" from school after class."

What's a more formal way to say "picked her up"?

Depending on the context, more formal alternatives to "picked her up" could include "retrieved her", especially if she was in a difficult situation or "escorted her".

What can I say instead of "picked her up" when referring to giving someone a ride?

When referring to giving someone a ride, you can use phrases like "gave her a ride", "drove her", or "took her".

Is it always clear whether "picked her up" means physically lifting or collecting someone?

Not always; the context is crucial. For clarity, you might add details, for example, "He "carried her" in his arms" versus "I "collected her" from the airport".