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Pick UP vs PICKup
Words or syllables that are stressed in American English are said with higher pitch (the tone of your voice goes higher). A compound verb, or 2-word verb phrase, (such as “pick up”) is stressed on the second word; whereas a compound noun (such as “pickup”) is stressed on the first base word. To “pick up” (verb) means to collect something. A “pickup” (noun) or “pickup truck” is a small truck with an enclosed cab and open back. Here stress is marked with capital letters: “The little boy wants to pick UP the PICKup truck.”