picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of lifting something or to indicate that someone has learned or acquired something. Example: "She picked up the book from the table and started reading."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I picked up Bruno's.

The New Yorker

They picked up Marty.

The New Yorker

Bill picked up John.

The New York Times

I picked up Rose.

The New Yorker

Picked up credentials.

The New Yorker

The breeze picked up.

The New York Times

Her heart picked up.

The New Yorker

Commerce picked up.

The New York Times

Gradually I picked up tricks.

The New York Times - Travel

She picked up a plate.

The New Yorker

Business travel has picked up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an increase in pace or intensity, consider using "picked up" to convey a sense of momentum or improvement, for example, "The economy picked up after the new policy was implemented".

Common error

Avoid using "picked up" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or sophisticated verb, such as "acquired" or "obtained", might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "picked up" is a verb phrase, acting as the past tense or past participle of the phrasal verb "pick up". It is versatile, expressing actions like physically lifting something, acquiring knowledge, or sensing an increase, as shown in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "picked up" is a versatile verb phrase commonly used to describe actions such as physically lifting, acquiring knowledge or skills, or indicating an increase. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it might be preferable to use more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing to enhance precision and sophistication. Remember to consider the context to ensure the most appropriate usage, as "picked up" can effectively convey momentum or improvement when describing an increase in pace or intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquired

Focuses on gaining or learning something, differing from the physical action of picking up.

collected

Emphasizes the act of gathering items together, often implying a deliberate accumulation.

gained

Highlights the attainment of something, such as knowledge or experience.

grabbed

Suggests a quick or sudden action of taking hold of something.

lifted

Specifically refers to raising something physically, a subset of the meanings of "picked up".

taken

A more general term for acquiring or seizing something.

increased

Refers to a rise in quantity or intensity, applicable when "picked up" describes improvement or growth.

accelerated

Highlights an increase in speed or rate, suitable when "picked up" means to quicken.

recovered

Implies regaining something lost or weakened, applicable when "picked up" suggests recuperation.

understood

Focuses on grasping a concept or idea, diverging from the physical or acquisitional senses of "picked up".

FAQs

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

You can use "picked up" to describe physically lifting something (e.g., "She picked up the book"), acquiring a skill (e.g., "He picked up Spanish quickly"), or an increase in something (e.g., "The wind picked up").

What are some alternatives to "picked up"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "picked up" include "acquired", "collected", "gained", "lifted", or "increased".

Is "picked up" formal or informal?

"Picked up" is generally considered neutral to informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives such as "acquired" or "obtained".

Can "picked up" refer to learning something?

Yes, "picked up" can refer to learning or acquiring a new skill or information, as in "She picked up a few words of French during her trip".