Communication
pick up on something
notice a subtle detail
To pick up on something means to notice or understand a small or indirect detail.
Hear it in real life
How did you know I was upset?
I picked up on the change in your voice.
She picked up on the fact that I was feeling nervous.
The mistake everyone makes
Not: I picked ‸ on the fact that she was upset.
Say: I picked up on the fact that she was upset.
Use “pick up on” to notice an indirect detail; “pick on” means treat someone unfairly or criticise them.
Build it
How it fits in a sentence.
pick up on something; picked up on something; pick up on the fact that
Your turn: say it out loud
She picked up on the fact that I was feeling nervous.
Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.
pick up on something
notice a subtle detail
“She picked up on the fact that I was feeling nervous.”
heytardy
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