"pick up something" vs "pick something up"

Question

"pick up something" vs "pick something up"

Both "pick something up" and "pick up something" are correct and commonly used in English. The choice between the two depends on the emphasis you want to give in the sentence. They are comparable and interchangeable in most contexts.

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize the action of picking up. It is also a common and natural way to express the action of lifting something.

Examples:

Can you pick up the kids from school?
She picked up her bag and left the room.
He picked up the pace to catch the bus.
Let's pick up the conversation where we left off.
I'll pick up some milk on my way home.

Alternatives:

lift up something
raise something
hoist something
scoop up something
snatch up something

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize the object being picked up. It is a common and natural way to express the action of lifting something.

Examples:

Can you pick up the groceries on your way home?
I need to pick up my dry cleaning tomorrow.
She picked up the phone and dialed the number.
He picked up the fallen books from the floor.
Let's pick up some snacks for the movie.

Alternatives:

grab something
lift something
collect something
fetch something
acquire something

Answer 1

pick up something

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

pick something up

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"pick up something" vs "pick something up"

pick up something

pick something up

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