they were not picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were not picked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a group of people or items were not selected for a particular purpose or event. Example: "Despite their hard work and dedication, they were not picked for the final team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They were not picked.

The New York Times

But the problem was they were not picked up by the accountant.

The New York Times

Yahoo's pet site and Animal Planet generated such small amounts of traffic that they were not picked up at all by Nielsen's Web panel.

The New York Times

On the pitch Madrid found themselves in La Liga mode, trying to find a way through the massed ranks while making sure they were not picked off on the counter-attack – which, with Lazar Markovic playing instead of Raheem Sterling, never looked likely.

Independent

If they were not picked up in a week, they would be shipped back and the charges reversed.

TechCrunch

In recognition that the harrowing stories of what happened at Stafford Hospital had already been covered, the public inquiry was charged with looking at how the lapses could have been allowed to take place and why they were not picked up earlier.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Jackson's promotion comes two weeks after the Raiders announced they were not picking up an option to keep Coach Tom Cable.

The New York Times - Sports

Even if they were not picking off passes, the Giants said, they could be causing more fumbles.

The New York Times - Sports

Preliminary statements from OSC also indicate that they were not picking up any engine anomalies.

Vice

I grew up boycotting grapes and iceberg lettuce because they weren't picked by union workers.

The New Yorker

"However, once they realize they weren't picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it's every man for himself?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "they were not picked", ensure the context clearly indicates the selection process being referred to. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands why the subjects were not chosen.

Common error

Avoid using "they were not picked by themselves" as it creates a reflexive construction that doesn't make sense. The passive voice implies an external agent doing the picking, so the 'by themselves' is redundant and grammatically awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were not picked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group was not chosen or selected by an unspecified agent. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts ranging from team selections to quality control, demonstrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were not picked" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction to indicate a lack of selection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news media and scientific publications. While alternatives like "they were not selected" exist, the key is to ensure the context clarifies the selection process. Avoiding reflexive constructions and understanding the passive voice are essential for accurate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were not selected

Uses a synonym for "picked", maintaining the passive voice and similar meaning.

they were not chosen

Replaces "picked" with "chosen", providing a more formal alternative with the same basic meaning.

they were excluded

Emphasizes the act of being kept out, with a slightly stronger connotation of deliberate exclusion.

they were left out

Focuses on the act of being omitted or overlooked, suggesting a lack of inclusion.

they were passed over

Indicates that they were considered but ultimately not selected, often implying a missed opportunity.

they did not make the cut

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of not being selected, implying a competitive process.

they were rejected

Implies a more forceful denial or disapproval in the selection process.

they were not admitted

Suggests a formal process where permission or acceptance was denied.

they didn't get in

An informal way of saying they were not allowed or able to join or participate.

they were not considered good enough

Explicitly states the reason for non-selection, suggesting a deficiency in their qualifications or abilities.

FAQs

What does "they were not picked" mean?

The phrase "they were not picked" means that a group of people or items were not selected or chosen for a specific purpose, role, or event. It indicates a lack of selection in a particular context.

How can I use "they were not picked" in a sentence?

You can use "they were not picked" in sentences like: "Despite their qualifications, "they were not picked" for the team." or "The ripe apples were harvested, but "they were not picked".

What are some alternatives to "they were not picked"?

Alternatives to "they were not picked" include "they were not chosen", "they were not selected", "they were excluded", or "they did not make the cut".

Is "they were not picked" formal or informal?

"They were not picked" is generally considered neutral in formality. While it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, alternatives like "they were not selected" may be preferred in more formal settings.