start to pick up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start to pick up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to talk about something (an activity, a process, etc.) beginning to improve or increase. For example, "Sales started to pick up after the company made some changes to the product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But when — or if — demand does start to pick up, lending could rise quickly.

The New York Times

When cuts are made over eight awards, "you start to pick up time," Mr. Mischer said.

The New York Times - Arts

The savings rate, which is at historically low rates, will start to pick up.

The Guardian - Opinion

That a nice internal greeting signal but then, they can start to pick up and learn about the hands appearance.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The inventory pipeline should start to pick up more significantly over the next 12 to 18 months, she noted.

The New York Times

Or it may take me a while to start to pick up on what makes a place stand out.

The New York Times - Food

"I could start to pick up a little bit of a puff behind a ridge," he recalled.

The New York Times

Living standards will carry on falling deep into the autumn even if wages do start to pick up.

The Guardian - Business

I'm hoping the awards bandwagon for Fincher's film will start to pick up speed at the Golden Globes.

The Guardian

Hobart and Adelaide are likely to see continued moderate property growth, but Brisbane may start to pick up a bit".

The Guardian

"That's where I start to pick up a few things," he said, using the diction of his native French.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start to pick up" when describing the initial phase of improvement or increase in a process, trend, or activity. For instance, "After the marketing campaign, sales started to pick up."

Common error

Avoid using "start to pick up" to describe static conditions or states that don't involve change or momentum. It's more appropriate for dynamic situations where progress is being made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start to pick up" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of improvement or increase. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It often suggests a transition from a stagnant or declining state to one of growth or progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start to pick up" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the beginning of an improvement or increase. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business settings. The phrase carries a neutral tone and is often employed to convey optimism regarding positive change. When using "start to pick up", ensure the context involves a dynamic situation where progress is plausible. Alternative phrases like ""begin to improve"" or ""start to gain momentum"" can add subtle nuances to your writing, depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to improve

Focuses on the initial phase of betterment or enhancement.

start to gain momentum

Emphasizes the increase in speed or force behind an action or process.

begin to recover

Highlights the initial stages of returning to a normal or healthy state.

start to accelerate

Indicates an increase in the rate or speed of something.

start to rise

Implies an upward movement or increase in quantity or value.

begin to flourish

Suggests a period of growth and prosperity is starting.

start to strengthen

Emphasizes the initial phase of becoming more robust or resilient.

start to gather pace

Focuses on the commencement of increased speed or activity.

begin to intensify

Highlights that something is in the process of getting stronger or more extreme.

start to rally

Indicates an initial surge or comeback after a period of decline.

FAQs

How can I use "start to pick up" in a sentence?

You can use "start to pick up" to describe an initial increase or improvement in something, like "The economy is expected to "start to pick up" next quarter".

What is a good alternative to "start to pick up"?

Alternatives include "begin to improve", "start to gain momentum", or "begin to recover", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "start picking up" instead of "start to pick up"?

While "start picking up" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts, "start to pick up" is generally preferred when indicating the beginning of a gradual or continuous improvement. In comparison, "start picking up" might refer to a more immediate action.

What's the difference between "start to pick up" and "begin to decline"?

"Start to pick up" suggests an upward trend or improvement, while "begin to decline" indicates a downward trend or deterioration. They are opposite in meaning.