she was picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is collected or taken away by another person or vehicle, often referring to transportation. Example: "After the meeting, she was picked up by her colleague to go to lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

She was picked up in Lee Park.

The New Yorker

She was picked up by a fishing boat and deposited safely onshore.

The New Yorker

She was picked up by 2 security officers and left outside the ward.

The New Yorker

With her consent, she was picked up at the embassy this afternoon by Peruvian authorities".

The New York Times

Sometime after she was picked up, she and the friends misplaced the vehicle.

The New York Times - Sports

She was picked up about a half-mile from the beach.

The New York Times

She was picked up by a former client in a Rolls-Royce and rushed to the BBC Newsnight studio.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The court heard she was picked up by the actor from the Granada Studios in his car and thought she had been indecently assaulted but had "no actual memory" of the episode.

BBC

She started hosting them at home when she was picked up by a British fashion magazine and she instantly received hundreds of emails from people interested in joining.

Huffington Post

In November 2009, she alleged that she was picked up by men in an unmarked car who called her a "counterrevolutionary," punched her in the face and then released her.

Los Angeles Times

She was picked up each night by her mother and taken home on the subway.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was picked up" to clearly and concisely describe the action of someone being collected or retrieved, particularly in situations where the method of transportation or retrieval is relevant.

Common error

Ensure the context clarifies who did the picking up. Without sufficient context, the sentence "she was picked up" can be unclear. Specify the actor or provide enough surrounding information to make the agent clear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was picked up" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (she) is the recipient of the action (being picked up). This construction emphasizes the action rather than the actor. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was picked up" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a female subject was collected or taken from a specific location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the context to avoid ambiguity and clarify who performed the action. Alternatives like "she was collected" or "she was retrieved" can be used to provide a more formal or specific nuance. Overall, "she was picked up" is a versatile phrase that effectively conveys the action of someone being collected or retrieved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was collected

Focuses on the act of gathering or receiving someone or something.

she was retrieved

Suggests a more formal or careful recovery of someone or something.

she was escorted

Implies a guided or protected journey accompanying someone.

she was transported

Highlights the movement of someone or something from one place to another.

she was conveyed

A more formal way of saying she was transported or carried.

someone fetched her

Indicates that someone went to get her.

she was given a ride

Implies being transported in a vehicle.

she was brought along

Suggests inclusion in a journey or activity.

she was taken into custody

Specifically refers to being arrested or detained by authorities.

she was recruited

Implies being selected or enlisted for a specific purpose.

FAQs

What does "she was picked up" mean?

The phrase "she was picked up" generally means that someone collected her from a location, often for transportation. It can also imply that she was arrested or taken into custody, depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "she was picked up"?

You can use alternatives like "she was collected", "she was retrieved", or "she was escorted" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "she was picked up" formal or informal?

The phrase "she was picked up" is generally considered neutral in formality. It's suitable for both news reports and casual conversation. However, more formal alternatives like "she was conveyed" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

Can "she was picked up" mean something other than transportation?

Yes, the phrase "she was picked up" can also imply that someone was arrested or detained by authorities. Context is crucial to understanding the intended meaning. For example, in a crime report, it might mean someone was arrested, while in a travel story, it likely means someone was collected from a location.