collect water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collect water" is correct and may be used in written English.
For example, "The villagers had to collect water from the local stream every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Residents collect water in catchment tanks.

The New York Times

"Going to collect water is not fun.

The Guardian

They collect water and can get messy.

Cornell University

You could collect water in your sails, catch fish".

The New York Times

They [women] would go collect water from there.

Columbia University

Students learn to use meter to collect water quality data.

Columbia University

As we drove through the Romanian countryside, Tatu frequently stopped to collect water and soil samples.

The New Yorker

The women could not go to the river to collect water.

The New York Times

Sometimes, people may take a whole day off work to collect water.

The Guardian

"I go to a neighbouring village every morning to collect water after I wake up.

The Guardian

Many of the families have to collect water from unprotected wells outside the camps.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about water scarcity, use the phrase "collect water" to highlight the challenges faced by communities in accessing this essential resource.

Common error

Avoid using "collect water" in highly technical or scientific writing where more precise terms like "extract water" or "sample water" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collect water" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "collect" is the transitive verb and "water" is the direct object. This phrase describes the action of gathering or accumulating water from a particular source. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is used correctly in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "collect water" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively describes the action of gathering water from various sources, often highlighting the challenges of water scarcity. Its versatility allows for use across diverse contexts, from news reports to academic studies. While interchangeable with similar phrases like "gather water" or "fetch water", it maintains a distinct focus on the act of acquisition. Understanding its nuances and appropriate usage ensures clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather water

Focuses on the act of bringing water together, often from dispersed sources.

obtain water

Emphasizes the acquisition of water, potentially implying effort or difficulty.

fetch water

Highlights the action of going to get water, typically from a distance.

draw water

Implies taking water from a well, container or other reservoir.

harvest water

Suggests the collection of rainwater or other naturally occurring water sources.

accumulate water

Focuses on the gradual build-up of water over time.

capture water

Implies trapping water, especially for later use.

extract water

Highlights the process of removing water from a source, often underground.

source water

Indicates identifying and securing a supply of water.

store water

Emphasizes the act of keeping water for later use.

FAQs

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

You can use "collect water" to describe the action of gathering water from a source, such as a well, river, or rainwater harvesting system. For example, "The villagers have to "collect water" every day for their families" needs".

What are some alternatives to "collect water"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "gather water", "fetch water", or "harvest water" to convey the same meaning.

Is it more appropriate to say "collect water" or "gather water"?

Both ""collect water"" and "gather water" are acceptable, but ""collect water"" is slightly more general. "Gather water" might suggest bringing together water from multiple sources into one place.

When is "collect water" most commonly used?

"Collect water" is often used when discussing water scarcity, survival situations, or traditional practices where people manually obtain water from natural sources.