picking up coffee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picking up coffee" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of going to get coffee, often for oneself or for others. Example: "I'm heading out for a few minutes; I'll be picking up coffee for everyone in the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Instead I'm picking up coffee and dry cleaning and performing other tasks that the company would otherwise have to pay someone for.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a neighborhood hangout for retired men who chat about times gone by, and also for local construction workers picking up coffee, rolls and sandwiches.

The New York Times

Part of this is a matter of practicality: how are people supposed to talk about race in a 30-second interaction with a stranger while picking up coffee to go?

The Economist

"He's cleaned up the city, and people see him as a fair person when it comes to race," said Anthony Senna, 53, a chef who grew up in Roxbury and was picking up coffee at Dunkin' Donuts.

The New York Times

Jef Dunphy, 23, of Berlin, who works at the Travelers Insurance Company and who was picking up coffee in Hartford on Tuesday, said he doesn't anticipate the state will suffer while Mrs. Rell focuses on getting well.

The New York Times

That may mean picking up coffee or hand delivering documents.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He picks up coffee by the wooden phone booth.

The New York Times - Health

Pick up coffee cans.

WikiHow

"I pick up coffee or tea for them.

The New York Times

McCain set out for the local Starbucks to pick up coffee and newspapers to bring back to the house.

The New Yorker

The public utility here even goes door to door to pick up coffee filters, rotted carrots and other compost.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "picking up coffee" when you want to emphasize the action of obtaining coffee, often implying a brief or casual errand. For example, "I'm picking up coffee before heading to the office".

Common error

While "picking up coffee" is widely understood, it might sound too casual in formal business or academic writing. Instead, consider using more formal alternatives like "obtaining coffee" or "acquiring coffee" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picking up coffee" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of obtaining coffee, as seen in Ludwig's examples where people are "picking up coffee" for themselves or others.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "picking up coffee" is a common and grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the action of obtaining coffee, often in a casual and convenient manner. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, indicating a neutral to informal register. While widely accepted, more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain academic or business settings. Key alternatives include "grabbing coffee" and "getting coffee".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grabbing coffee

Focuses on the quick and casual aspect of getting coffee.

getting coffee

A general term for obtaining coffee, less specific about the method.

buying coffee

Emphasizes the act of purchasing coffee.

fetching coffee

Suggests going to get coffee for someone else.

ordering coffee to go

Highlights the act of placing an order for takeaway coffee.

getting a coffee to go

Similar to 'ordering coffee to go', but slightly more informal.

collecting coffee

Implies gathering coffee from a specific location.

running out for coffee

Emphasizes a brief and quick trip to get coffee.

stopping for coffee

Focuses on interrupting a journey to get coffee.

acquiring coffee

A more formal way of saying getting coffee.

FAQs

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

"Picking up coffee" is used to describe the action of getting coffee, often implying a quick stop. For example, "I'm "picking up coffee" for the team before the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "picking up coffee"?

You can use alternatives such as "grabbing coffee", "getting coffee", or "buying coffee" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "picking up a coffee" or "picking up coffee"?

Both are acceptable, but "picking up coffee" is more common when referring to the general act. "Picking up a coffee" is used when referring to a specific instance of getting a single cup.

What is the difference between "picking up coffee" and "making coffee"?

"Picking up coffee" refers to obtaining coffee from an outside source, while "making coffee" refers to the process of preparing coffee yourself.