begin to collect

USAGE SUMMARY

"begin to collect" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the starting point of an action or process of gathering or accumulating things. Example: As they prepared for their move to a new house, the family began to collect cardboard boxes from local grocery stores.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

We will expand our collection of metastatic cancer samples and begin to collect sequential tissue samples, enabling scientists to study treatment response, resistance, indicators of relapse and progression from primary to metastatic cancers.

Breast Cancer Research

But data collection and retention can get more invasive when services begin to collect demographic data, like gender, to deliver content that feels a little too personal to the consumer.  .

TechCrunch

When you want to start collecting Social Security isn't necessarily when you should begin to collect Social Security.

The New York Times

That makes it cheaper than an immediate annuity, because, well, there's a chance you'll die before you begin to collect.

The New York Times

People who are unemployed head straight for the unemployment office to begin to collect their checks, whether they really need the money or not.

The New York Times

In 2016 it will begin to collect a large slice of income taxes.Another kind of unionist will watch all this with interest.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Wagstaff began to collect silver.

The New Yorker

There he began to collect folktales.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She began to collect the stones.

The New Yorker

I began to collect Lib Dem moments.

The Guardian

Her colleagues immediately began to collect money for her family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to collect" to clearly indicate the starting point of a collection process, whether it involves physical objects, data, or abstract concepts. It is helpful when you want to emphasize the initiation of an action.

Common error

Avoid using "begin to collect" in excessively passive constructions. Instead of "Data was begun to be collected", opt for the more direct "Researchers began to collect data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to collect" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action. It highlights the initiation of gathering, amassing, or accumulating something, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin to collect" is a commonly used phrase that effectively communicates the commencement of a gathering or accumulation process. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general informational content. While closely related alternatives like "start gathering" exist, "begin to collect" emphasizes the start of the collection process. Therefore, using this phrase is correct and well supported.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start gathering

Emphasizes the act of bringing things together from different places or sources.

commence accumulating

Suggests a gradual increase in quantity over time.

initiate the collection of

Implies a more formal or organized approach to gathering items.

set about amassing

Highlights the effort and scale involved in accumulating a large quantity.

get down to compiling

Focuses on organizing diverse information or data into a unified collection.

undertake to assemble

Suggests a deliberate and planned effort to put things together.

take up hoarding

Implies collecting or saving things, often excessively.

embark on acquiring

Highlights the beginning of a journey of obtaining new possessions.

turn to compiling

Indicates a change in focus towards the activity of gathering information.

proceed to accrue

Emphasizes the gradual accumulation of something over a period.

FAQs

How can I use "begin to collect" in a sentence?

You can use "begin to collect" to describe the start of a gathering process. For example, "The museum will "begin to collect" artifacts from the era".

What are some alternatives to "begin to collect"?

Alternatives include "start gathering", "commence accumulating", or "initiate the collection of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "begin collecting" or "begin to collect"?

Both "begin collecting" and "begin to collect" are grammatically correct. "Begin to collect" is generally used when you want to emphasize the initiation of a process, while "begin collecting" sounds more concise.

What is the difference between "begin to collect" and "start collecting"?

"Begin to collect" and "start collecting" are very similar in meaning. "Start collecting" is often seen as slightly more informal and direct, while "begin to collect" can emphasize the initial action more explicitly.