was picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when talking about bringing someone or something to a certain place or location. For example, "The package was picked up from the post office yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The story was picked up by Autoblog.

The New York Times

She was picked up in Lee Park.

The New Yorker

(It was picked up by Relativity Media).

The New York Times

that was picked up by the crowd.

The New York Times

APTN's footage was picked up by major news organizations.

Princeton University

The story was picked up by the news filter Digg.

The New Yorker

Mr. Jiang was picked up twice in mid-February.

The New York Times

That story was picked up around the world.

The New Yorker

He said it was picked up on Tuesday.

The New York Times

The Manhattan coach was picked up and swept away.

The New York Times - Sports

The song was picked up for an Apple iPad ad.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was picked up" to indicate that something or someone was collected or retrieved from a specific location. For example, "The package was picked up from the front desk."

Common error

While "was picked up" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Consider using the active voice for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The ball was picked up by John", write "John picked up the ball".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was picked up" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being picked up by someone or something else. Ludwig examples show it is commonly used when reporting how information spreads or when describing someone being taken into custody.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was picked up" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase frequently used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage. It functions as a passive construction, often used to describe something being collected, retrieved, or adopted, particularly in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in register, consider using the active voice for more direct communication. When looking for alternative expressions, consider options such as "was selected" or "was retrieved", depending on the intended meaning. Avoid overusing the passive voice to maintain a clear and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was selected

Focuses on the act of choosing or selecting something or someone.

was chosen

Emphasizes the act of making a choice from a set of options.

was collected

Highlights the gathering or accumulation of items.

was retrieved

Implies the act of recovering something that was lost or stored.

was obtained

Focuses on acquiring or gaining possession of something.

was discovered

Highlights the finding or uncovering of something previously unknown.

was identified

Emphasizes the recognition or determination of something's identity.

was taken into custody

Specifically refers to being arrested or detained by law enforcement.

was apprehended

Implies the capture or arrest of someone, often after a pursuit.

was arrested

Directly indicates being taken into legal custody.

FAQs

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

Use "was picked up" to indicate that someone or something was collected from a specific location or that a story or idea gained popularity. For example, "The child was picked up from school" or "The news story "was picked up" by several major news outlets".

What are some alternatives to "was picked up"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "was collected", "was retrieved", "was chosen", or "was selected". For legal contexts, alternatives like "was arrested" or "was taken into custody" might be appropriate.

When is it better to use the active voice instead of "was picked up"?

Using the active voice is often preferable for clarity and conciseness. Instead of "The information "was picked up" by the reporter", consider "The reporter picked up the information". The active voice makes it clear who performed the action.

Is "was picked up" formal or informal?

"Was picked up" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the specific context and audience to determine if a more precise or formal alternative might be more appropriate.