picked us up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked us up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean that someone took you or a group of people to a specific location or event. For example: My friends had to work late, so my dad kindly offered to pick us up from the office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"But my guys picked us up".

The New York Times - Sports

You've picked us up the whole year.

The New York Times - Sports

Andy picked us up big time".

The New York Times - Sports

"Renzo came and picked us up in his boat".

The New Yorker

My nephew drove us over and picked us up afterward.

The New York Times

"He walked us to school and picked us up, yeah.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

"He tried to pick us up".

The New York Times - Sports

Did Paul, my uncle, come to pick us up?

The New Yorker

"But we've different guys every night picking us up".

The New York Times - Sports

They're picking us up to get that grudge out".

The New York Times

He would pick us up at our dock at noon.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "picked us up" when you want to describe someone providing transportation for you or a group. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "picked us up" when you mean to say someone 'supported' or 'encouraged' you. The phrase specifically refers to transportation, not general assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "picked us up" functions primarily as a transitive verb phrase. It describes the action of someone providing transportation for a group, typically from one location to another. This is evidenced by Ludwig examples where it often involves cars, boats or shuttle buses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "picked us up" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe someone providing transportation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can be used to indicate the action of someone taking you or a group to a location or event. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While it mainly signifies transportation, it should not be confused with broader forms of support. Consider alternatives like "gave us a ride" or "came to get us" for nuanced meanings. With its widespread use across various reliable sources, "picked us up" is a versatile addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave us a ride

Emphasizes the act of providing transportation.

came to get us

Highlights the action of arriving to collect someone.

collected us

Focuses on the act of gathering people.

transported us

A more formal way of saying someone provided transportation.

drove us

Specifically mentions driving as the means of transportation.

retrieved us

Implies recovering someone from a specific location or situation.

assisted us

Indicates general help or support, not necessarily transportation.

supported us

Implies emotional or practical support.

rescued us

Suggests a situation of danger or distress.

uplifted us

Focuses on providing encouragement or improvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "picked us up" to describe someone providing transportation. For example: "My friend "picked us up" from the airport".

What's the difference between "picked us up" and "gave us a ride"?

"Picked us up" is a more general term for providing transportation, while "gave us a ride" specifically implies that someone drove you in their vehicle.

What can I say instead of "picked us up"?

You can use alternatives like "gave us a ride", "came to get us", or "collected us" depending on the context.

Is "picked us up" formal or informal?

"Picked us up" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.