were picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something was collected or gathered. For example: "The children's shoes were picked up from the shoe store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several suspects were picked up in prison.

The New York Times

Later, these shows were picked up by American presenters.

The New Yorker

On the 47th they were picked up by Japanese sailors.

The New York Times

About 60 other WOZA members were picked up and released.

The New York Times

The remains were picked up and taken in to shelter.

The New York Times

They were picked up for advocating multiparty democracy.

The New York Times

The reports were picked up by newspapers here.

The New York Times

These themes were picked up by German theorists.

The Guardian - Opinion

People were picked up from there by Hungarian buses.

The Guardian

Soil macro-fauna were picked up by hand in the fields.

Acta Ecologica Sinica

Their travel costs to and from Harvard were picked up by the league.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were picked up", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the picking up. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "were picked up" when an active voice construction is more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The trash were picked up by the sanitation workers", write "The sanitation workers picked up the trash".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were picked up" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being collected, chosen, or apprehended by someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were picked up" functions as a passive verb phrase, commonly used to describe an action of retrieval, selection, or apprehension. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While it is generally neutral in register, using an active voice construction can often result in clearer and more impactful writing. Numerous alternative phrases, such as "were collected" and "were retrieved", exist to convey similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression. Knowing when to use "were picked up" helps enhance clarity and effectiveness in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were collected

This alternative emphasizes the act of gathering items together.

were gathered

This alternative is similar to "were collected", but can also imply a more intentional or organized collection.

were retrieved

This alternative suggests recovering something that was previously lost or inaccessible.

were obtained

This alternative suggests acquiring something, often through effort or request.

were selected

This alternative highlights the act of choosing from a larger group.

were received

This alternative emphasizes the act of getting something, especially information or signals.

were apprehended

This alternative is specific to capturing or arresting someone.

were taken into custody

This alternative is a more formal way of saying someone was arrested.

were rescued

This alternative implies saving someone from a dangerous situation.

were detected

This alternative focuses on discovering or noticing something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were picked up" indicates that someone or something was collected or retrieved. For instance, "The stranded hikers "were rescued" by a helicopter" or "The subtle hints "were noticed" by the astute observer".

What are some alternatives to "were picked up"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were collected", "were retrieved", "were selected", or "were gathered" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were picked up"?

While "were picked up" is grammatically correct in passive voice, active voice constructions are often clearer and more direct. Instead of "The items were picked up by the team", consider "The team picked up the items".

In what kind of situations is "were picked up" most appropriate?

The phrase "were picked up" is particularly useful when you want to emphasize the object or recipient of the action rather than the actor. It's also appropriate when the actor is unknown or unimportant.