picked him up

USAGE SUMMARY

"picked him up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the act of going to a location to retrieve someone in order to transport them. For example, "I drove over to Sam's house and picked him up to take him to the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sandusky picked him up that evening.

The New Yorker

Rosemary picked him up at the airport.

The New Yorker

"They picked him up in Hollywood, Fla".

The New York Times

"I picked him up with my hands.

The New Yorker

Savage picked him up the next day.

The New York Times - Sports

The police picked him up that night.

The New York Times

"She picked him up, gave him direction.

The Guardian - Arts

Sometimes I picked him up from Ampleforth.

The Guardian - Arts

We picked him up in my car.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The girl, Melissa, picked him up at the airport.

The New Yorker

"My son picked him up and ran around in circles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "picked him up" to describe transportation, ensure the context clearly indicates the mode of transport (e.g., car, plane, etc.) if it's not obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "picked him up" in contexts where it could be misinterpreted as physical assault or arrest, especially without clarifying details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picked him up" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of retrieving someone, often for transportation or, in some contexts, apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "picked him up" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that generally means retrieving someone, often for transportation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. While primarily found in news and media, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts. It's important to ensure clarity in the context to avoid misinterpretations, especially concerning possible negative connotations such as apprehension by authorities. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "collected him" or "retrieved him" for enhanced precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came to get him

Emphasizes the action of arriving for the purpose of fetching someone.

collected him

Implies gathering or retrieving someone from a specific location.

gave him a ride

Focuses on the act of providing transportation.

fetched him

A more informal way of saying 'went to get him'.

retrieved him

Highlights the act of getting someone back, often from a challenging situation.

transported him

Highlights the act of moving someone from one place to another.

took him into custody

Specifically refers to someone being apprehended by law enforcement.

recruited him

Indicates that someone was selected or enlisted for a specific purpose.

selected him

Focuses on the choice or selection of someone for a particular role.

lifted him up

This could refer to the literal act of lifting someone, or helping someone in a metaphorical sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "picked him up" to describe retrieving someone for transportation, as in "I "picked him up" from the airport". It can also mean authorities apprehended someone, like "The police "picked him up" last night".

What are some alternatives to "picked him up" for transportation?

Consider using alternatives such as "gave him a ride", "collected him", or "came to get him" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "picked him up" formal or informal?

"Picked him up" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain professional settings.

Can "picked him up" have a negative connotation?

Yes, depending on the context. It can imply arrest or apprehension by authorities. Therefore, ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretation.