picked out of

USAGE SUMMARY

"picked out of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the selection of a particular item from a group. For example: Mary picked out a piece of cake from the selection of desserts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Princeton, Ill., name picked out of a hat by Joseph Musgrove, who was from Princeton, N.J.

Princeton University

The Skyna is enormous, extremely well known, and readily picked out of the skyline.

The New Yorker

It will taste like a fresh tomato just picked out of the field.

The New York Times

This one was the strongest because of the razor-sharp image of these two people picked out of the crowd.

The Guardian - Arts

i have also balked when every fan picked out of crowd to shoot shots in some time out contest is black.

The Economist

I was picked out of the poverty cycle.

The Guardian

Perhaps the idea was picked out of a hat.

The New York Times - Arts

After Mr. Vanderwoude was picked out of a lineup by a witness, he was arrested.

The New York Times

The Knicks have a rich history with names being picked out of a hat, huh?

The New York Times

Parts can be assigned by the teacher, picked out of a hat, or decided upon by the group itself.

Yale University

Whereas there are massive reserves of CO2 just waiting to be picked out of the air we breath.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "picked out of" to clearly indicate a selection process where an item or person is chosen from a larger group. It's often used to emphasize the act of singling something out.

Common error

While "picked out of" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "selected from" or "extracted from" in academic or professional contexts to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "picked out of" is to act as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It indicates the source from which something or someone was selected. Ludwig's examples show a variety of contexts where this phrase is used to specify the origin of a choice or selection.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Picked out of" is a common prepositional phrase used to describe the selection of something or someone from a larger group or source. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, although it suggests that more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its versatility in describing both random and deliberate selection processes. While "picked out of" is widely understood, choosing the most appropriate synonym, such as "selected from" or "extracted from", can enhance clarity and precision depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

selected from

Implies a deliberate choice from a range of options.

chosen out of

Suggests a preference or decision made from available choices.

handpicked from

Implies a careful and selective process of choosing.

extracted from

Focuses on the removal or separation of something from a source.

taken from

Emphasizes the act of acquiring something from a specific location or source.

singled out from

Highlights the act of distinguishing one item or person from a group.

isolated from

Focuses on setting something apart for further study or analysis.

identified within

Indicates recognition or discovery within a larger context.

culled from

Suggests a selective process of removing less desirable elements.

separated from

Emphasizes the act of keeping something distinct from others.

FAQs

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

The phrase "picked out of" is used to describe the selection of one or more items or individuals from a larger group. For example, "The winner was "picked out of" a hat" or "She was "picked out of" the crowd for her exceptional performance".

What are some alternatives to "picked out of"?

Similar phrases include "selected from", "chosen from", "extracted from", or "taken from". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "picked out of" formal or informal?

"Picked out of" is generally considered to be neutral in tone. While appropriate in many contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "selected from" in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "picked out of" and "selected from"?

While both phrases indicate a choice from a larger group, "selected from" often implies a more deliberate or careful selection process than "picked out of", which can suggest a more random or casual choice.