picking out

USAGE SUMMARY

"picking out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are selecting something from a group of items or a particular item from a range of choices. For example, "I had a difficult time picking out the perfect gift for my sister's birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm still picking out fish.

The New York Times

They were picking out refrigerated flowers.

The New Yorker

But they are also immensely useful for picking out kernels.

The New Yorker

"It's almost like picking out the wounded chicks," he says.

The New Yorker

Ms. Bestor's final advice on picking out wall coverings?

The New York Times

"I had a knack for picking out bad guys.

The New Yorker

Picking out a few favorites is a daunting task.

The New Yorker

"Here we are," Aragon said, picking out a suitable lithograph.

Independent

Arthurs watched them, picking out the ones he immediately disliked.

The New Yorker

"Then I saw: it's the baby, picking out nursery songs".

The New York Times - Magazine

The children crowded around a globe, picking out the continents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "picking out" when you want to emphasize the act of carefully selecting something from a range of options, often with a physical element involved, like "picking out the best apples at the store."

Common error

Avoid using "picking out" when a more general term like "choosing" or "selecting" would be more appropriate, especially if the selection doesn't involve a physical removal or specific effort. For instance, instead of saying "I'm picking out a career path", consider "I'm choosing a career path."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "picking out" is that of a phrasal verb, acting as a verb phrase. It describes the action of selecting or choosing something from a range of options. As seen in Ludwig, the expression is deemed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

33%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "picking out" functions as a versatile phrasal verb, denoting the careful selection of an item from a group, often with a physical component. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. While alternatives such as "selecting" or "choosing" exist, "picking out" emphasizes a more deliberate and potentially physical selection process. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Therefore, use "picking out" to emphasize the careful and potentially hands-on nature of the selection process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

selecting out

Focuses on the act of choosing from a set, similar to "picking out" but with a slightly more formal tone.

choosing

A general term for making a selection, lacking the nuance of physically removing something like "picking out".

choosing out

Similar to "picking out", implying careful selection, with a slight difference in emphasis.

singling out

Implies selecting one item or person from a group, often with a specific purpose or intention.

identifying

Emphasizes recognizing a specific item or element from a collection.

handpicking

Implies a careful and deliberate selection process, suggesting high quality or specific criteria.

extracting

Focuses on removing something from a larger entity, similar to "picking out" but emphasizing separation.

opting for

Highlights making a decision or preference, similar to "picking out" in certain contexts.

culling

Implies selecting and removing items, often undesirable ones, from a larger group.

ferreting out

Suggests finding something after a thorough or difficult search.

FAQs

How can I use "picking out" in a sentence?

You can use "picking out" when describing the action of carefully choosing something from a group. For example, "She spent hours "picking out" the perfect dress for the party", or "He was "picking out" his favorite childhood books to read to his daughter.

What are some alternatives to "picking out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "selecting", "choosing", or "singling out". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "picking out" and "choosing"?

"Picking out" often implies a more deliberate or careful selection process, sometimes with a physical action. "Choosing" is a more general term for making a selection. For example, you might "pick out" specific ingredients for a recipe, but simply "choose" a restaurant for dinner.

Is "picking out" appropriate for formal writing?

While "picking out" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "selecting" or "identifying" might be preferred in highly formal contexts. The choice depends on the overall tone and the specific meaning you wish to convey.