Meaning & use
be selective
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Choose carefully only the best or most suitable things, rather than accepting everything.
Grammar: Usually followed by 'about' and a noun or -ing form: 'selective about what you eat'.
Patterns
- be selective about something
- be selective in something
- be selective when choosing
Be selective about the news you share online.
The college is very selective about which students it accepts.
She is selective in her friendships and keeps only a few close friends.
Common combinations
- be selective about
- Try to be selective about the emails you open.
- be highly selective
- This is a highly selective program with few places.
- be selective in choosing
- Be selective in choosing a language course.
- be selective with money
- Investors should be selective with their money right now.
Synonyms and how they differ
- be picky
- Be picky is informal and often suggests being too fussy; 'be selective' sounds sensible and positive.
- be choosy
- Be choosy is close in meaning but slightly informal and can sound negative, while 'be selective' is neutral.
Opposites
Word family
- select verb
- To choose someone or something carefully.
- selection noun
- The act of choosing, or a group of chosen things.
- selectively adverb
- In a careful, choosing way.
Commonly confused: be selective or selective?
be selective vs selective
'Selective' alone is an adjective, as in 'a selective school'; the phrase 'be selective' needs the verb 'be' to form a full statement.
Practice
Nutritionists say you should be selective ___ the snacks you buy.
Choose one answer.
'Selective' is followed by 'about' when naming what you choose carefully. 'For' could fit 'good for you', but it does not go with 'selective'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “be selective”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.