collect materials

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collect materials" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of gathering or assembling various items or resources for a specific purpose, such as a project or research. Example: "Before starting the experiment, make sure to collect materials such as beakers, chemicals, and safety equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

What do you mean by "collect materials"?

The New York Times

Over the years, Yang used his access to collect materials from restricted archives detailing the famine.

The Guardian - Books

Players can go fishing, collect materials to cook meals, or (not shown in the video) take photos or … survive?

The Guardian - Tech

The second major category of bottom sampler is the dredge, which is dragged along the seafloor to collect materials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. López, who is 33, also participated in the rehab, helping to collect materials from dumpsters and doing much of the electrical work herself.

The New York Times

The owners often collect materials from clients, which Obama aides then pick up on regular rounds, and even join special campaign conference calls just for barbers and hairdressers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Corrido writers often collect material as if they were reporters.

The New Yorker

He studied abroad on a Guggenheim Fellowship to collect material for research.

The New Yorker

Steve Sillett, a biologist at Humboldt State University who climbs and studies the largest redwoods, has agreed to collect material for the project.

The New York Times - Science

The programme allows officials to collect material including emails, live chats and search histories.

BBC

A less risky approach is to collect material associated with lawmen.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "collect materials" in scientific writing, be specific about the type of materials and the method of collection to ensure clarity and reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid using "collect materials" without specifying the nature or purpose of the collection. Instead of saying "Scientists collected materials", specify "Scientists collected soil samples for analysis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collect materials" functions primarily as a verb phrase that describes the action of gathering or assembling various items or resources. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used across varied contexts to indicate a deliberate collection process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "collect materials" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of gathering items or resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. The formality ranges from neutral to slightly formal, and while it is used in varied ways, it maintains a consistent core meaning. For clarity and precision, be specific about the type of materials being collected and the purpose of the collection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather resources

Focuses on the aspect of bringing together various assets or items necessary for a task.

assemble supplies

Highlights the action of putting together a set of items, often for a specific purpose.

procure resources

Emphasizes the effort and means required to obtain the necessary materials.

accumulate items

Stresses the gradual build-up of materials over time.

obtain provisions

Highlights the act of getting essential supplies, often for a journey or survival.

garner components

Implies a selective and deliberate gathering of specific parts or elements.

requisition supplies

Suggests a formal process of requesting and acquiring needed materials.

secure ingredients

Focuses on obtaining the specific elements necessary for a recipe or formula.

extract components

Highlights the act of separating and gathering specific parts from a larger whole.

harvest elements

Evokes a sense of gathering natural resources from the environment.

FAQs

How can I use "collect materials" in a sentence?

You can use "collect materials" in sentences like: "The students were asked to collect materials for their science project", or "The artist uses the streets of New York City to collect materials for his paintings".

What are some alternatives to "collect materials"?

Alternatives to "collect materials" include "gather resources", "assemble supplies", or "procure resources" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "collect materials" and "collected materials"?

"Collect materials" is a verb phrase indicating an action, while "collected materials" is a past participle phrase, often used as an adjective. For example, "collect materials" (verb) vs. "the collected materials" (adjective).

When is it appropriate to use "collect materials" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "collect materials" in formal writing when describing a systematic process of gathering resources for a specific purpose, especially in scientific, academic, or professional contexts.