picking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "picking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "picking" as either a verb or a noun. For example: Verb: I spent the afternoon picking apples in the orchard. Noun: Picking apples is always a pleasant activity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Lifestyle

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That doesn't excuse things like the alleged failure to disclose, in the case of Abacus, important facts like John Paulson's involvement in picking the securities in the C.D.O.

The Economist

Petrolhead sci-fi romp Mad Max: Fury Road and love story Carol are the movies currently picking up the most social media attention from the Cannes film festival, according to new research.

The Guardian - Film

Valencia were forced to field a makeshift defence with the centre-backs Adil Rami and Ricardo Costa both injured, as well as the full-back João Pereira who was ruled out after picking up a hamstring injury during training on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Sport

If you feed your dog cheap food - well try picking that up".

The Guardian - Business

Charlotte looks after guests in the day, Simon at night, where the often-raucous (but non-compulsory) communal dinners provide a wonderful way of making friends and picking up the local gossip.

The Guardian - Travel

The government used question time to pressure Labor to pass the carbon tax repeal package while Labor concentrated on picking apart the effect of the Abbott budget on the hypothetical family on $65,000.

The Guardian

Click here to watch In between picking up all of the awards, the French duo and super producer (and his huge hat) were performing one of the most anticipated collaborations of the night.

The Guardian - Music

Harry Maguire's botched headed clearance, under little pressure, dropped to the feet of Sean Kavanagh, who strode forward before picking out an unmarked Ross McCormack on the edge of the area.

The Guardian - Sport

But all this took time: the early Gove months had been "continuity Blairism", picking up where the man he called "the Master" had been held back by Labour MPs.

The Guardian

A car is a must for exploring this somewhat sprawling island, and handy for picking up groceries to cook in the cottage kitchens – taking taxis will put a good dent in your budget.

The Guardian - Travel

Now making new wave (or perhaps, more appropriately nu-wave), this glorious single is picking up a bit of Radio 1 play, and will show it off during Hackney's Field Day festival this weekend.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "picking" implies selection, consider the nuance you want to convey. "Selecting" suggests a more deliberate choice, while "choosing" is a general alternative. Use "picking" when the action is quick or casual.

Common error

While versatile, "picking" can sound too casual in formal writing. In business or academic contexts, opt for stronger synonyms like "selecting", "choosing", or "identifying" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "picking" functions primarily as a verb in its present participle form, often indicating an ongoing action of selecting, gathering, or removing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Travel

10%

Music

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "picking" is a versatile verb form with broad application, ranging from selecting items to gathering resources. It is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While frequently found in news and media, sports, and lifestyle contexts, remember that more formal alternatives may be better suited for business or academic writing. When choosing a synonym, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey – whether it's the casual action of "picking up" an item or the deliberate act of "selecting" a candidate. By understanding these subtleties, you can effectively incorporate "picking" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

selecting

Implies a more deliberate and careful choice compared to "picking".

choosing

A general term for making a selection, similar to "picking" but less specific.

gathering

Focuses on collecting items, particularly in the context of harvesting or collecting resources.

harvesting

Specifically refers to collecting crops or natural resources.

plucking

Suggests removing something with a quick, forceful motion.

collecting

Implies accumulating items over time.

extracting

Focuses on removing something from a larger source.

singling out

Emphasizes selecting one item from a group.

opting for

Indicates a deliberate decision-making process.

gleaning

Implies gathering leftover items after a harvest.

FAQs

How can I use "picking" in a sentence?

You can use "picking" as a verb, like "She is picking flowers", or as a noun, such as "Strawberry picking is a fun activity".

What can I say instead of "picking" when referring to a selection?

Alternatives include "selecting", "choosing", or "opting for", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it always correct to use "picking up" instead of "collecting"?

"Picking up" often implies a quick or casual collection, while "collecting" can suggest a more deliberate or organized effort. For example, "picking up the mail" is different from "collecting stamps".

What's the difference between "picking on" and "bullying"?

"Picking on" is often used to describe mild or occasional teasing, while "bullying" refers to repeated and more aggressive behavior. Bullying is more serious and can have lasting negative effects.