was picked from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was picked from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something was selected or chosen from a larger group or collection. Example: "The winner of the contest was picked from a pool of over a hundred entries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hazlitt was picked from a shortlist of eight candidates, three of whom were internal contenders.

The Guardian

Its name was picked from a list of 350 suggestions and has no etymological significance.

The New Yorker

Ms. Albright was picked from more than 20 composers nationwide who applied for the grant.

The New York Times

Sethi was picked from thousands of children who auditioned in the US, Canada and the UK.

The Guardian - Film

Discusses the selection of the cast for the Hippodrome which was picked from all over the world.

The New Yorker

They… Discusses the selection of the cast for the Hippodrome which was picked from all over the world.

The New Yorker

3. Tweenie heart throb Daniel Radcliffe, 11, was picked from thousands of hopefuls to play the screen Harry.

The Guardian

When this turtle choked and died, the cap was picked from its remains by another turtle, which also choked.

The Guardian - Books

The longlist was picked from a pool of 300 books submitted by publishers of every size from across the UK.

The Guardian - Books

In 1958, however, Beck was picked from 20 candidates to work as aproduct designer at the family-owned toy manufacturer Geobra Brandstätter, which had been making toyssince 1921.

Independent

Mr. Kumar's winning entry was picked from more than 3,000 submissions and five finalists, and approved by the India's top government ministers on Thursday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was picked from", ensure the context clearly indicates the selection process and the original source or group. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was picked from" when the selection process isn't clearly defined or the original group is vague. Instead, provide specific details about the criteria and pool from which the selection was made to enhance the reader's understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was picked from" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject was selected from a larger group or source. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe selections based on various criteria.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was picked from" is a versatile phrase used to describe the selection of an item or individual from a larger group. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias. The phrase is most effective when the selection process and the source are clearly defined. For alternatives, consider "was selected from" or "was chosen from" for a more formal or neutral tone, respectively. Using "was picked from" properly ensures clarity and strengthens the overall communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was selected from

Replaces "picked" with "selected", offering a more formal tone.

was chosen from

Substitutes "picked" with "chosen", providing a neutral alternative.

was drawn from

Implies a more random or chance-based selection process.

was derived from

Suggests that something originated or developed from a source.

was obtained from

Focuses on how something was acquired from a specific origin.

was sourced from

Emphasizes the origin and supply of something.

was extracted from

Indicates that something was taken out from a larger entity or substance.

came from

Offers a simpler, more direct way of indicating origin.

was taken from

Indicates that something was removed or borrowed from a source.

originated from

Highlights the place or source where something began.

FAQs

How can I use "was picked from" in a sentence?

Use "was picked from" to indicate that something or someone was selected out of a larger group. For example, "The winning design "was picked from" hundreds of submissions".

What's a more formal alternative to "was picked from"?

A more formal alternative is "was selected from". It conveys the same meaning but has a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "was picked out of" instead of "was picked from"?

While "was picked out of" is grammatically correct, ""was picked from"" is generally more concise and commonly used.

How does "was picked from" differ from "originated from"?

"Was picked from" implies a selection process, whereas "originated from" simply indicates the source or beginning of something. For example, "The idea "was picked from" a brainstorming session" versus "The tradition originated from ancient customs".