collect around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collect around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of gathering or assembling in a particular area or around a specific object or person. Example: "As the event started, people began to collect around the stage to get a better view of the performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

False beliefs collect around both photographs and names.

The New York Times

The bowl will help that sauce collect around the vegetables.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We also help people collect around a person or a theme.

The New York Times - Arts

We only collect around 16% of that money – £73m a year.

The Guardian

Willett's caddie, Jonathan Smart, will collect around 10% of his employer's winnings.

The Guardian

"The best wind turbine will collect around 50% of energy from the wind," says Suriol.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Much of the buzz collected around Grady Little.

The New Yorker

Paradoxes have always collected around Devo.

The New York Times - Arts

It has already collected around $300 million for Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Deep Value Fund.

The New York Times

His demands have so far collected around 800,000 supporting signatures.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since February, he has collected around 17,000 signatures.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "collect around" when describing the act of people or things gathering or accumulating in a specific area or around a particular point of interest. For example, "Fans collect around the stage after the concert."

Common error

Avoid using "collect around" when describing the accumulation of abstract concepts or information. Instead of saying "Ideas collect around the topic", consider using "ideas accumulate around the topic" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "collect around" is that of a phrasal verb. It describes an action involving gathering or accumulating, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, which demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collect around" functions as a phrasal verb, primarily describing the act of people or things gathering or accumulating. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across varied sources such as News & Media and Science. While versatile, it’s important to avoid using it for abstract subjects, as noted in the writing guidance. Several alternatives, such as "gather together" and "congregate", can be used based on the desired level of formality and context. The phrase maintains a generally neutral register, fitting well in various communicative settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather together

Implies a more general coming together without necessarily forming a close group.

congregate

Suggests a more formal or organized gathering.

rally around

Suggests gathering in support of a cause or person.

flock together

Emphasizes movement and assembly in a group.

assemble

Indicates a structured and planned gathering.

converge

Highlights movement from different directions toward a single point.

accumulate

Focuses on the gradual increase in quantity around a central point.

swarm

Indicates a large group moving or gathering quickly and often chaotically.

cluster

Implies a close grouping or bunching together.

group

A general term for forming into a collection.

FAQs

What does "collect around" mean?

"Collect around" means to gather or assemble in a particular area or around a specific object or person. It implies a coming together of individuals or items.

What can I say instead of "collect around"?

You can use alternatives like "gather together", "congregate", or "assemble" depending on the specific context.

Is "collect around" formal or informal?

The phrase "collect around" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might prefer alternatives like "congregate" or "assemble".

How to use "collect around" in a sentence?

You can use "collect around" in sentences such as: "People began to collect around the speaker to hear the announcement" or "Dust tends to collect around the edges of the room if not cleaned regularly".