were not picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not picked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone was not selected or chosen in a particular context, such as a competition or a selection process. Example: "Despite their talent, the players were not picked for the final team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those were not picked up".

The Guardian

I gave little clues but these were not picked up on.

The Guardian

What should it do with the cases that were not picked and chosen?

The Guardian

Hedlund and Brown were not picked, but they did get together later.

The New Yorker

Based on this I must ask, how about those that were not picked?

The Economist

The separatist leaders were not picked for their ability to govern.

The Economist

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

The New York Times

He sought less attention so that his problems were not picked up until he was four and a half.

The Guardian - Books

They were not picked up by the New York Times, which defines the news in the US, until December 10.

The Guardian - Tech

Reports of these earlier convictions were not picked up by banks because Kallakis and Williams had changed their names.

The Guardian

The method has already allowed the discovery of haemorrhages and fractures that were not picked up during conventional autopsies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not picked", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the picking. Providing this information avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were not picked" excessively in your writing. Too much passive voice can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Instead, consider rephrasing the sentence to use active voice for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not picked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject did not receive the action of being selected. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a correct and usable phrase for expressing a lack of selection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not picked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that communicates a lack of selection or choice. According to Ludwig AI, its use is correct and widespread. It's found across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for a more direct style. Common synonyms include "were not selected" and "were not chosen". The analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalent use in news, science, and academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not selected

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of choosing.

were not chosen

This alternative is very similar, highlighting the decision-making aspect.

were not designated

This alternative is used when something is officially assigned or specified.

were not appointed

This alternative implies a formal assignment to a role or position.

were not elected

Specifically refers to not being chosen through a voting process.

were not approved

This alternative suggests a lack of endorsement or acceptance.

were not admitted

This alternative implies a denial of entry or acceptance into a group or place.

were not favored

This alternative suggests a lack of preference or advantage.

were overlooked

This alternative emphasizes being missed or not noticed.

were left out

This alternative suggests exclusion from a group or activity.

FAQs

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

Use "were not picked" to indicate that something or someone was not selected or chosen. For example: "Despite their talent, the players "were not picked" for the final team."

What are some alternatives to "were not picked"?

You can use alternatives such as "were not selected", "were not chosen", or "were overlooked" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were not picked"?

While "were not picked" is grammatically correct, consider using active voice when possible for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The team members "were not picked" by the coach", you could say "The coach did not pick the team members".

What's the difference between "were not picked" and "were not chosen"?

While both phrases are very similar, "were not chosen" emphasizes the decision-making aspect of the selection process, while "were not picked" can sometimes imply a more arbitrary or less deliberate selection.