picked up again

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked up again" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to resuming an activity or topic that was previously paused or interrupted. Example: "After a long break, we finally picked up again where we left off in our discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A hurried pace had picked up again.

The New York Times

That's the one I've picked up again.

The New York Times - Arts

A few seconds passed before she picked up again.

The New Yorker

Today, construction at least has picked up again.

The Economist

In the fall, the frenzied pace picked up again.

The New Yorker

It has picked up again in recent years, but slowly.

The New York Times - Tech

The consumer complaints picked up again in 2009.

The New York Times

It is a habit she has picked up again.

The New York Times

The bill could be picked up again next year.

The New York Times

After a December lull, fighting picked up again this month.

The Washington Post

"Whatever the process, the pieces will be picked up again".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "picked up again" to clearly indicate a resurgence or resumption after a noticeable lull or decline. This helps emphasize the cyclical nature of the activity or trend.

Common error

Avoid using "picked up again" when the activity never stopped; instead, use phrases like "continued" or "increased" to accurately reflect the ongoing nature of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picked up again" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the resumption or increase of an activity, process, or trend after a period of decline or inactivity. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature. For instance, "After a December lull, fighting picked up again this month."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "picked up again" is a versatile and common way to express the resumption or resurgence of an activity, trend, or condition after a pause or decline. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, business, and general writing. While generally neutral in tone, it can be replaced with more formal or informal alternatives depending on the specific context. Remembering that the correct usage of it emphasize a cyclical event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued after a pause

Explicitly states the continuation following an interruption.

started up again

A more explicit and less formal way of saying something began again.

resumed activity

Focuses on the activity itself restarting, implying a deliberate action.

recommenced

A more formal synonym for resuming, suggesting a structured restart.

renewed

Focuses on the idea of something being made new or fresh again.

revived

Emphasizes bringing something back to life or activity after a period of dormancy.

kicked off again

An informal way to describe the restart of something, often an event or project.

rebounded

Implies a recovery from a low point, often used in economic contexts.

gathered momentum

Suggests a gradual increase in speed or intensity after a slow period.

improved again

Highlights the positive change of something getting better after a decline.

FAQs

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

You can use "picked up again" to indicate that something has resumed or increased after a period of decline or inactivity. For example, "After a slow start, sales "picked up again" in the second quarter".

What are some alternatives to "picked up again"?

Alternatives include "resumed", "restarted", or "improved again", depending on the specific context. Each alternative conveys a slightly different nuance of the resumption or increase.

When is it appropriate to use "picked up again" versus "continued"?

"Picked up again" implies there was a noticeable decline or pause before the activity resumed. "Continued" simply means the activity kept going without interruption or significant change.

Is "picked up again" formal or informal language?

"Picked up again" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "recommenced" may be preferred in certain situations.