capable of collecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of collecting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has the ability or capacity to gather or accumulate information, data, or items. Example: "The new software is capable of collecting user data to improve its functionality."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

RAN doctrine states that "all maritime units" contribute to the collection of intelligence and many of the RAN's ships are capable of collecting communications and electronic transmissions.

Wikipedia

No country is capable of collecting much revenue in this kind of downturn.

The New York Times

A ship on the surface is capable of collecting 15,000 barrels a day, Admiral Allen said.

The New York Times

But they have no compunctions whatsoever about muscling in on a bird-feeding station, even when they are capable of collecting their own snacks.

The New York Times - Travel

Several other sites claim that Echelon is capable of collecting and processing every e-mail message, every phone call and every fax on the planet.

The New York Times - Tech

IF a company is sophisticated enough to operate modern aircraft, logic dictates that it should also be capable of collecting the full price for that transport.

The Economist

In recent years, he had been developing an array of minute antennas capable of collecting sunlight and transforming it into electricity, as well as a corresponding battery for storing it.

The New York Times

In Scotland, for instance, Argent Oils set up the largest plant in the world, capable of collecting 330 million pounds of used cooking oil a year to produce 45 million gallons of biodiesel.

The New York Times - Science

Today's tags are capable of collecting months' or years' worth of data on an animal's location at a given moment, and can be used to track everything from tiny tropical orchid bees to blubbery, deep-diving elephant seals.

The New York Times

award includes the implicit decision to pay for the logistical resources necessary to accomplish the science; in this case, a research vessel capable of collecting multichannel seismic reflection data.

The New York Times

"The committee calls this report a landmark for 'openness and transparency' – but how do we trust agencies who have acted unlawfully, hacked the world's largest sim card manufacturer and developed technologies capable of collecting our login details and passwords, manipulating our mobile devices and hacking our computers and webcams?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capable of collecting", specify what is being collected to provide clarity and context. For example, "The sensor is capable of collecting temperature data" is more informative than "The sensor is capable of collecting."

Common error

Avoid using "capable of collecting" excessively in passive constructions, which can make your writing sound indirect. Instead of "Data is capable of being collected by the system", try "The system is capable of collecting data."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of collecting" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its inherent ability or capacity to gather or accumulate something. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capable of collecting" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase indicating the ability or capacity to gather or accumulate something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in scientific, news, and business contexts. To use it effectively, ensure you specify what is being collected and avoid overuse in passive constructions. Alternatives such as "able to gather" or "equipped to accumulate" can be used for variety. Understanding these nuances helps writers employ "capable of collecting" with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to gather

Emphasizes the ability to gather, a direct synonym for collecting.

competent in gathering

Highlights competence or skill in the act of gathering.

equipped to accumulate

Focuses on the resources or tools available for accumulation.

has the faculty to acquire

Uses more formal language to express the inherent ability to acquire.

in a position to compile

Indicates a state or situation that allows for compiling information.

possessing the means to assemble

Stresses the resources or instruments necessary for assembling.

with the potential to harvest

Highlights the latent capacity or possibility for harvesting.

designed for accumulating

Focuses on a purposeful design intended to accumulate.

adapted to glean

Emphasizes the selective and resourceful nature of gleaning.

set up to amass

Highlights the organization and preparation involved in amassing.

FAQs

How can I use "capable of collecting" in a sentence?

You can use "capable of collecting" to describe something that has the ability or capacity to gather or accumulate information, data, or items. For example: "The new sensor is "capable of collecting" environmental data."

What are some alternatives to "capable of collecting"?

You can use alternatives like "able to gather", "competent in gathering", or "equipped to accumulate" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "capable to collect" instead of "capable of collecting"?

No, the correct phrasing is "capable of collecting". The preposition "of" is necessary after "capable" when followed by a gerund (collecting).

What's the difference between "capable of collecting" and "collecting"?

"Collecting" is a verb indicating the action of gathering, while ""capable of collecting"" describes the potential or ability to perform that action. For example, "The device is collecting data" versus "The device is "capable of collecting" data".