collect my things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collect my things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to gathering personal items or belongings, often in a context where you are leaving a place. Example: "Before I leave the office, I need to collect my things from my desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Probably not, but even so, I needed to collect my things from the front desk.

Vice

And now I have something for when I go back to New Orleans to collect my things.

Vice

I went to go collect my things from the x-ray machine conveyer belt and noticed that my purple suitcase was being carried off.

Huffington Post

I had just enough time to get out of the last one, get back to the apartment, collect my things, and be at the airport for my flight home.

Huffington Post

I didn't notice it until after we crossed the border, when I was beginning to pack up my cords and cables and Krispy Kreme wrappers, but it suddenly occurred to me that Alfred and I had begun moving in tangent: I would reach to the floor to collect my things/hot dog box, and he would adjust his position -- so that he could continue looking out the window, I realized.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When they left, I collected my things and returned home.

The New York Times

"No problem," I said, collecting my things and moving to the middle seat.

The New Yorker

"I was in the room collecting my things when six policemen came into the room and beat me with batons on my chest and on my arms and back," one student told Human Rights Watch.

The Guardian

My bag gets scanned again, and the female agent collects my things from him.

Huffington Post

I was collecting my things when Shabnam, without a raincoat or umbrella, asked, "Didi, mein ghar kaise jaon?

Huffington Post

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "collect my things" when you need to emphasize the action of gathering personal items from a specific location before leaving.

Common error

Avoid using "collect my things" when the items are already packed or readily available. Instead, use a simpler phrase like "take my things".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collect my things" functions primarily as a verbal phrase indicating the action of gathering one's personal items. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to describe the process of retrieving belongings before leaving a location.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "collect my things" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression. It indicates the action of gathering personal items, often before leaving a place. Ludwig confirms this with various examples from reliable sources. While it is not the most frequently used phrase, alternatives such as "gather my belongings" or "pick up my stuff" can be used depending on the context's formality. It's advisable to use this phrase when specifically referring to the act of retrieving dispersed items. The phrase is found in neutral to formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Gather my belongings

More formal alternative, suitable for official contexts.

Retrieve my possessions

Similar to 'gather belongings' but emphasizes ownership.

Pick up my stuff

Informal and casual.

Take my things

More straightforward, lacks the implication of gathering from a specific place.

Get my gear

Suitable when referring to equipment or tools.

Pack my belongings

Implies putting things into a container for transport.

Fetch my things

Suggests retrieving something from a short distance.

Round up my things

Implies collecting scattered items.

Claim my belongings

Suggests a formal process of reclaiming possessions.

Clear my effects

Formal and often used in legal or administrative contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "collect my things" in a sentence?

You can use "collect my things" when referring to gathering your belongings from a place. For example: "I need to "collect my things" before leaving the office".

What can I say instead of "collect my things"?

You can use alternatives like "gather my belongings", "retrieve my possessions", or "pick up my stuff" depending on the context.

Is "collect my things" formal or informal?

"Collect my things" is generally considered neutral. More formal alternatives include "gather my belongings" or "retrieve my possessions", while "pick up my stuff" is more informal.

When is it appropriate to use "collect my things"?

Use "collect my things" when you are specifically referring to the action of gathering items that are dispersed or located in a particular place, especially before departing. For example, before leaving someone's house or a public location like a library.