picked the place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked the place" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of selecting a specific location for an event, meeting, or gathering. Example: "After much discussion, we finally picked the place for our family reunion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He arrived on Friday, he said, hoping to be let in early before the crowds picked the place clean.

The New York Times

The two owners, both from Ecuador, picked Italian because they have both worked in Italian kitchens, and they picked the place, a simple storefront, because the price was right.

The New York Times

Or maybe you've picked the place but the date you're wanting to go is in the middle of monsoon season.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When the government relinquished its power to dictate where factories should be built, investors picked the places where conditions were best.

The Economist

We picked the places we picked because they're mature markets, they're countries that lead their regions culturally.

TechCrunch

Sometimes I would say, "You pick the place".

The New York Times

You went to dinner, you picking the place, him picking up the check.

The New York Times

"And when on the tiger's back, you cannot always pick the place to dismount".

The New York Times

I was asked to pick the place to eat two weeks in a row.

The New York Times - Travel

They will pick the place they want to go from, where they want to go, the date of travel and the time they want to arrive.

The Economist

Ms. Goldman said she did not usually go out for lunch, and so she had asked us to pick the place.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing event planning, use "picked the place" to convey a casual, yet definitive selection of a location. For a formal setting, consider alternatives like "selected the venue".

Common error

Avoid using "picked the place" in business reports or academic papers; it's too informal. Instead, use more professional alternatives like "selected the location" or "designated the site" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picked the place" functions as a verb phrase where "picked" acts as the main verb (past tense of 'pick'), and "the place" serves as the direct object, indicating what was chosen. This aligns with Ludwig's examples showcasing its usage in contexts of selection.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "picked the place" is a grammatically sound and acceptably common expression used to denote the selection of a location. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's important to note that its informality makes it more suitable for casual conversation and general writing than formal or academic contexts. Alternatives such as "selected the location" or "chose the venue" may be more appropriate in professional settings. Although it appears mostly in news sources, according to Ludwig, its presence in WikiHow indicates its understandability and general usage across diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chose the location

Replaces "picked" with "chose" and "place" with "location", maintaining the core meaning of selecting a specific spot.

selected the venue

Substitutes "picked" with "selected" and "place" with "venue", implying a more formal selection, especially for events.

decided on the spot

Replaces the entire phrase to indicate a decision made about a location, focusing on the decision-making aspect.

determined the site

Uses "determined" instead of "picked" and "site" instead of "place", giving a more definitive and perhaps official tone.

opted for the area

Replaces "picked" with "opted" and "place" with "area", suggesting a preference-based selection of a general region.

identified the location

Uses "identified" to highlight the act of recognizing or discovering a suitable location, rather than simply choosing it.

designated the meeting point

More specific, suggesting a formal assignment of a location for a gathering or meeting.

fixed upon the destination

Emphasizes the finality and certainty of the location choice, using more formal vocabulary.

agreed on the locale

Highlights the consensus aspect of choosing a place, suitable for situations involving multiple decision-makers.

settled on the location

Indicates a final decision after considering multiple options, implying a sense of resolution.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "picked the place"?

You can use alternatives like "chose the location", "selected the venue", or "decided on the spot" depending on the context.

Is "picked the place" formal or informal?

The phrase "picked the place" is generally considered informal. For more formal situations, consider using alternatives like "selected the location" or "designated the site".

How to use "picked the place" in a sentence?

You can use "picked the place" in sentences like, "After reviewing several options, we finally picked the place for the conference", or "She picked the place because it had a great view".

Which is correct, "picked the place" or "selected the place"?

Both phrases are correct, but "selected the place" is more formal than "picked the place". The best choice depends on the context and the desired tone.