I collected

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that you collected or gathered, such as items for a project. Example sentence: I collected shells from the beach to make a collage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

When I collected my wits, my older daughter exclaimed: "Dad!

Huffington Post

I collected sap that we used for paint.

Huffington Post

9. Collection affection: I collected film memorabilia in junior high.

The New York Times - Magazine

I collected razors.

The New Yorker

I collected my breath.

The New Yorker

I collected these writings.

University of California, Berkeley

I collected thousands of them.

The New Yorker

I collected all the pins.

The New York Times

I collected my good pay.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Collection: I collect Swatch watches.

The New York Times - Magazine

What do I collect?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I collected" when you want to emphasize the act of gathering items, information, or experiences. Be specific about what you collected and the purpose behind it for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "I collected" when the focus should be on the object being collected rather than the action itself. For example, instead of saying "I collected the data that was analyzed", consider "The data I collected was analyzed" to emphasize the data.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I collected" is that of an independent clause, where 'I' serves as the subject and 'collected' as the verb, indicating a completed action. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I collected" is a versatile phrase used to describe the action of gathering or accumulating something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from news reports and academic papers to personal anecdotes. While semantically similar alternatives like "I gathered" or "I accumulated" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using "I collected", ensure clarity by specifying what was collected and the reason behind it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I gathered

Focuses on bringing things together, often implying a more deliberate or organized action than simply collecting.

I assembled

Suggests bringing together different parts to form a whole, often used in the context of building or constructing something.

I accumulated

Implies gradually gathering something over time, often referring to wealth, possessions, or knowledge.

I obtained

Focuses on acquiring something, often through effort or specific means.

I acquired

Similar to 'obtained' but often implies gaining something of value or significance.

I compiled

Implies gathering information or data from various sources and organizing it into a structured format.

I harvested

Specifically refers to gathering crops or natural resources.

I picked up

Suggests casually gathering or acquiring something, often without much effort.

I rounded up

Implies gathering people or animals, often from a scattered or dispersed state.

I salvaged

Focuses on rescuing or recovering something from a damaged or undesirable state.

FAQs

How can I use "I collected" in a sentence?

Use "I collected" to describe gathering or accumulating items, information, or data. For example, "I collected stamps as a child" or "I collected data for my research project".

What can I say instead of "I collected"?

You can use alternatives like "I gathered", "I accumulated", or "I obtained" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I have collected" instead of "I collected"?

Both "I collected" and "I have collected" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "I collected" refers to a completed action in the past, while "I have collected" suggests an action completed at some point in the past that may have relevance to the present.

What's the difference between "I collected" and "I compiled"?

"I collected" generally refers to gathering items or information, whereas "I compiled" implies organizing collected information into a structured format.