Pick vs. Pick up

phrasal verbs

This time, we're gonna learn all about the differences and similarities between 'pick' and 'pick up'. Are you ready? Do you wanna improve your knowledge?

"Pick" vs. "Pick up" in the English Grammar

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both refer to holding something with your hands and lifting it. However, 'pick up' is a phrasal verb and it can indicate giving a ride to someone using our vehicle, meeting someone in order to have sexual intercourse with them, buying something inexpensively, etc. 'Pick', however, can also refer to choosing something/someone among others.

Differences

As stated above, 'pick up' is a phrasal verb. It can have several meanings. Look at the examples below:

Could you go to the garden and pick up the puppy? (Lifting something up)

Dad can pick me up at the subway station at around 6 p.m. (Giving someone a ride)

She picked up this t-shirt. (To buy something)

'Pick', however, indicates selecting something/someone. Look at the examples below:

Do you prefer to pick the blue pill or the red one?

The boss picked you because she thought you are different from others.

Similarities

Both refer to putting your hands around something and lifting it up. Check out the following examples:

Did you pick the basket from outside the door?

Remember to pick up the dirty clothes on the floor.

Are They Interchangeable?

Despite their similarities, they cannot be used interchangeably because they have different meanings. Compare:

✓ Which dress did she pick?

X Which dress did she pick up?

As you can see, this one is not correct.

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