I was collected

USAGE SUMMARY

'I was collected' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used when someone or something has been picked up (usually at an arranged time). For example: I was collected from the airport by my brother and taken home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

THE DAY I ARRIVED in Beirut I was collected at my hotel by Huda Baroudi, a cheerful woman who had offered to show me around.

The New York Times

But even after I'd signed the consent form and been told "it's a go" by my co-ordinator, I didn't truly believe the operation was going ahead until I was collected for theatre.

The Guardian

I was collected by the owner after the 3½-hour journey from Paddington, and spent an hour or so by the warmth of the woodchip stove in the living room before sliding into bed.

The Guardian - Travel

Then, every morning, I was collected at 9AM to go pick up Jo at the squat on Rue Saint-Sauveur, in the 2nd arrondissement, where he lived.

Vice

The supernatant (Fraction I) was collected.

Plosone

The Data set I was collected by using microsatellites and samples both fewer than Data set II [ 29].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The values for kurtosis, ψ(Γ i ) and ρ(Γ i ) are collected in table 1.

BMC Systems Biology

The eluant containing apoA-I was collected, lyophilized and stored at −20°C.

Plosone

Eight stages were collected Stage L-I was collected after the trifoliates opened but before the leaves were fully expanded.

BMC Plant Biology

QOL data (EORTC-30, Spitzer QL-I) was collected at six points from pre- to post-treatment.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

I was collecting my saliva".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was collected" when you want to emphasize the action of being picked up or gathered, often at a pre-arranged time or location. For instance, "I was collected from the train station by my friend".

Common error

Avoid using "I was collected" when you actually mean "I collected something". The passive voice focuses on the receiver of the action (I), while the active voice focuses on the doer of the action (I collected).

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I was collected" is to indicate a passive action where the subject (I) received the action of being collected. It is commonly used to describe someone being picked up from a location, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was collected" is a grammatically sound and neutrally formal expression used to describe the action of being picked up or gathered. According to Ludwig, it is more common in News & Media and Science contexts. While there are several alternatives such as "I was picked up" or "I was gathered", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ensure to avoid confusing the passive construction with active voice usages, and remember that using "I was collected" correctly will add clarity and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was picked up

More informal and conversational.

I was taken

Simple and direct, implying being led or escorted.

I was met

Emphasizes the act of meeting someone at a specific location.

I was gathered

Emphasizes being brought together with others or other things.

I was retrieved

Suggests being recovered or brought back from a location or state.

I was met and taken

Combines the meeting and subsequent action of being taken somewhere.

I was escorted

Highlights the presence of an escort or guide.

I was transported

Focuses on the act of being moved from one place to another.

Someone collected me

Active voice, emphasizing the actor doing the collecting.

They collected me

Active voice with a general subject.

FAQs

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

Use "I was collected" to describe being picked up or gathered from a specific location or situation, like "I was collected from the airport".

What are some alternatives to "I was collected"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "I was picked up", "I was gathered", or "I was retrieved", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "I was collected" or "Someone collected me"?

The choice depends on the focus. "I was collected" emphasizes the action done to you (passive voice), while "Someone collected me" highlights who performed the action (active voice).

What is the difference between "I was collected" and "I collected"?

"I was collected" means someone or something picked you up, while "I collected" means you gathered something. The former is passive, and the latter is active.