scarcely picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been picked up or understood to a very limited extent. Example: "The new policy was scarcely picked up by the employees, leading to confusion about its implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The media scarcely picked up on the ambassador's letter.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Handel could scarcely pick up a pen without quoting someone else's themes.

The New York Times - Arts

Six years later, the Bravo Company death squad story has scarcely been picked up by other media organs.

The Economist

Although his arguments are scarcely available in translation, they have been picked up by right-wing and white-nationalist circles throughout the English-speaking world.

The New Yorker

Picked up credentials.

The New Yorker

They picked up Marty.

The New Yorker

The breeze picked up.

The New York Times

Things have picked up.

Forbes

ES picked up the sample.

BMC Public Health

Anderson can scarcely believe it as he picks up Kumar Sangakkara for a golden duck for the second time this series – Strauss finally clings on to a juggling attempt at first slip.

Independent

But, as we now know, the earnings data are scarcely rock-solid either.The new series suggests that earnings growth did pick up in the late spring, but seems to have subsided again, to 4.6% in the year to July.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scarcely picked up", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not adequately noticed or understood. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the message.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely picked up" when there's evidence of significant engagement or coverage. The phrase implies a near absence of attention, so it's crucial to ensure your claim aligns with the actual level of interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely picked up" functions as a verb phrase indicating a passive reception or minimal acknowledgement of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing situations where something received little attention. The phrase emphasizes a lack of active engagement or understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scarcely picked up" is a verb phrase used to describe a situation where something has received minimal attention or recognition. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, it is essential to ensure that its use accurately reflects the level of attention something has received to avoid overstatement. Related phrases like "hardly noticed" and "virtually ignored" can serve as alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely adopted

Very similar, but focuses on adoption.

received little attention

Directly states a lack of focus or notice.

virtually ignored

Emphasizes almost complete neglect or disregard.

went largely unnoticed

Highlights that something was not observed or paid attention to by many.

hardly noticed

Indicates something received minimal attention; focuses on the lack of observation.

barely acknowledged

Highlights a minimal level of recognition or acceptance.

remained unaddressed

Indicates that something has not been dealt with or considered.

faintly recognized

Suggests a weak or indistinct level of recognition.

minimally adopted

Focuses on the low rate of acceptance or implementation of something.

lightly touched upon

Implies the topic was mentioned briefly or superficially.

FAQs

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

You can use "scarcely picked up" to indicate that something has received very little attention or recognition. For example, "The new policy was "scarcely picked up" by the employees, leading to confusion."

What's a good alternative to "scarcely picked up"?

Alternatives include "hardly noticed", "barely acknowledged", or "virtually ignored" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "scarcely picked up on"?

Yes, "scarcely picked up on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used variant. It emphasizes that someone barely understood or noticed something. For example, "The media "scarcely picked up on" the ambassador's letter."

What does "scarcely picked up" imply about the subject?

It implies that the subject in question received minimal attention, recognition, or understanding. This can be due to various factors, such as lack of importance, poor communication, or overshadowing by other events.