picking this up

USAGE SUMMARY

"picking this up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a process of gathering or collecting something. For example: "I'll need to come back tomorrow to finish picking this up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I'll definitely be picking this up for 360 when it hits shelves this summer.

TechCrunch

"We wouldn't have any trouble picking this up with them again".

The New York Times

Actors are good at picking this up quickly, but there is no substitute for friendship.

The Guardian

That's it from me for today; my colleague will be picking this up in a moment.

The Guardian

I keep picking this up – and putting it down again, because I can't quite face the onrushing tragedy.

The Guardian - Books

I'm picking this up because I think there is a significant and illuminating difference between new and old atheists here.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Let's pick this up next time".

The New York Times

You'll pick this up pretty fast.

University of California, Berkeley

If you pick this up, have fun!

The Guardian - Books

Mitt Romney then picked this up as an attack line.

The Economist

We picked this up from the shabiha themselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To indicate taking over responsibilities from someone, follow "picking this up" with 'from' and the name of the person whose job are you taking.

Common error

Avoid using "picking this up" when a more specific verb would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of saying "I'm picking this up from the store", consider saying "I'm buying this from the store."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picking this up" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a present participle describing an action in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is both grammatically sound and versatile in its applications. Ludwig's examples showcase its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Tech

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Books

10%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "picking this up" is a common and versatile gerund phrase used to indicate starting, acquiring, or continuing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across various contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in news, tech, and wiki sources, while being less common in academic or highly formal settings. When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates the method of acquisition or the nature of the continued task. While useful in many situations, using more specific verbs can further enhance clarity. Be mindful of maintaining a proper register by using the most precise vocabulary if you are in a formal context. All this can be inferred by the Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking this on

Emphasizes assuming responsibility or starting a task.

continuing with this

Highlights the continuation of an action or topic.

getting into this

Implies becoming involved or interested in something.

starting this

Focuses on the initiation of an activity or project.

acquiring this

Stresses the act of obtaining something.

learning this

Highlights the process of gaining knowledge or skills.

gathering this

Focuses on collecting or assembling something.

grabbing this

Suggests quickly obtaining something.

purchasing this

Highlights the act of buying something.

resuming this

Implies returning to something after an interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "picking this up" in a sentence?

You can use "picking this up" to describe starting a new task, acquiring an item, or resuming something. For example, "I'm "picking this up" from where we left off last week."

What are some alternatives to "picking this up"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "taking this on", "continuing with this", or "getting into this".

Is "picking this up" formal or informal?

"Picking this up" is generally considered informal and suitable for everyday conversation. In more formal settings, consider using more precise alternatives like "acquiring this" or "obtaining this".

What does "picking this up" mean?

"Picking this up" can have multiple meanings depending on the context. It can mean acquiring something, starting something, or continuing something that was previously interrupted.