picked instead of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked instead of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing two options and indicating a preference for one over the other. Example: "I picked chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla because it's my favorite flavor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He'll walk the fine line of N.B.A. relevance, as die-hards become more aware of his contributions and the casual fan knows him, if at all, as "that guy who got picked instead of Chris Paul".

The New York Times

There is even a reference to anti-white racism: when the cute young son, known as S.J., complains that a "Chinese" kid was picked, instead of him, to play the Indian chief in the school play, he wonders whether "multicultural bias" might have been at work.

The New Yorker

There is also a place for the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, who has been picked instead of David Forde of Millwall, while the inexperienced young winger Callum O'Dowda and Darron Gibson, who struggled during the 2-1 defeat by Belarus, have also been cut from the list.

The Guardian - Sport

Lutalo Muhammad was picked instead of Cook in the -80kg class.

BBC

Another Anfield team-mate, Adam Lallana, was picked instead of Sterling in the starting XI in Tallinn.

BBC

It's a theory". Another Anfield team-mate, Adam Lallana, was picked instead of Sterling in the starting XI in Tallinn.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's just people not feeling comfortable enough with the system to be able to pick instead of appreciate that there's also that part of not, not angry, but just confused.

University of California, Berkeley

[Patient 27] "Very good that you don't have to ring up, but we should be able to see what doctors are available at the time you pick instead of having to go back if it's not the right time for you".

BMC Health Services Research

Norman said he would like to see his successor as captain granted four captain's picks instead of two.

The New York Times - Sports

The compensation round was also added to the broadcast, with representatives from each team announcing the picks instead of Selig.

The New York Times

It severely limits her ability to perform in concert, and she uses individual finger picks instead of a single guitar pick because of the pain.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "picked instead of", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the choice was made. Providing a reason enhances clarity and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "picked instead of" without clearly stating both options being compared. This can lead to ambiguity and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picked instead of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a choice or substitution. It connects two options, showing that one was selected over the other. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "picked instead of" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood phrase used to indicate a preference or selection from multiple options. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context clearly states both options being compared to avoid ambiguity. More formal alternatives like "selected rather than" can be used in professional or academic settings, while casual alternatives like "chose over" are suitable for informal communication. The phrase sees usage across different kinds of media and it is important to not cause ambiguity when using the phrase, by explaining why the choice has been made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

selected rather than

Emphasizes a more formal or deliberate choice.

chosen over

Highlights the act of selecting one thing at the expense of another.

favored instead of

Implies a leaning towards one option due to preference.

preferred to

Indicates a general liking for one option more than another.

opted for instead of

Suggests a conscious decision to choose one option.

took in place of

Focuses on the action of replacing something with another.

used in lieu of

Formal expression for using something as a substitute.

substituted for

Highlights the replacement of one item with another.

replaced by

Indicates that something has been superseded.

swapped for

Suggests an exchange of one item for another, often informally.

FAQs

How can I use "picked instead of" in a sentence?

Use "picked instead of" to show a preference or substitution. For example, "She "picked instead of" chose the blue dress instead of the red one for the party".

What's a formal alternative to "picked instead of"?

A more formal alternative would be "selected rather than". For instance, "The committee selected candidate A rather than candidate B".

What can I say instead of "picked instead of" in an informal context?

In a more casual setting, you could say "chose over" or "went with instead of". For example, "I chose pizza over salad for dinner".

Is there a difference between "picked instead of" and "picked in place of"?

"Picked instead of" implies a preference, while "picked in place of" suggests a substitution due to necessity or unavailability. They both mean an action was chosen, but the reason may vary.