to pick out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to pick out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of selecting or choosing something from a group or collection. Example: "I need you to pick out the best candidates for the job from the list provided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

To pick out spaces.

The New Yorker

An odd fixture to pick out?

Independent

It's hard to pick out a track.

The Guardian - Music

People like to pick out the meat.

The New Yorker

Mr. Baltrop was easy to pick out.

The New York Times

He was easy to pick out.

The New York Times

To pick out one team is ludicrous.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are easy to pick out in golf, however.

Independent

He asked her to pick out a wedding ring.

The New York Times

They have yet to pick out the requisite beach house.

The New York Times

It's really hard to pick out the ball, players etc.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to pick out" when you want to emphasize the process of carefully selecting or identifying something from a group. For example, "She took her time to pick out the perfect gift."

Common error

Avoid using "to pick out" when a simpler verb like "choose" or "select" is more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. For instance, instead of saying "He needed to pick out a shirt", consider "He needed to choose a shirt".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to pick out" functions as an infinitive verb phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to express purpose or intention. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe the act of selecting something specific from a larger group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

28%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to pick out" is a versatile and commonly used infinitive phrase that means to carefully select something from a group. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and applicable in numerous contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While synonyms like "to select" or "to choose" may sometimes be more concise, "to pick out" emphasizes a more deliberate selection process. Keep in mind not to overuse it when simpler alternatives suffice. You can see that this phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science related sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to select

Focuses on the act of choosing carefully from a range of options.

to choose

A more general term for making a decision between alternatives.

to identify

Highlights the act of recognizing a specific item or person.

to distinguish

Emphasizes the ability to see differences between multiple options.

to pinpoint

Suggests locating something with precision.

to discern

Implies a careful and insightful selection.

to single out

Highlights the act of choosing one item from a group.

to extract

Suggests removing something specific from a larger whole.

to separate

Focuses on setting something apart from others.

to sort out

Implies organizing and choosing from a mixed collection.

FAQs

How can I use "to pick out" in a sentence?

You can use "to pick out" to describe the act of selecting something carefully from a group, as in "She went to the store to pick out a dress for the party" or "The detective had to pick out the suspect from the lineup".

What can I say instead of "to pick out"?

You can use alternatives like "to select", "to choose", or "to identify" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance.

When is it best to use "to pick out" versus "to choose"?

"To pick out" implies a more deliberate and careful selection process than "to choose". Use "to pick out" when the selection requires careful consideration or discernment.

Is there a difference between "to pick out" and "to single out"?

"To pick out" generally means to select something, while "to single out" means to choose one particular item or person from a larger group, often for a specific reason like praise or criticism.