collected

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'collected' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as both an adjective ("She had a collected demeanor.") or as a verb ("She collected her thoughts before speaking.").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I took a bite off the sandwich and kept the rest in my hand till the guards collected the trash.

The Guardian

Money can also be collected at branches of Safaricom, one of Kenya's largest mobile phone operators, and then deducted from the borrower's pay packet at the end of the month.

The Guardian

It was prompted by confusion among residents about when bins and recycling were collected.

The Guardian

It's always shown contemporary art, always collected contemporary art.

The Guardian

I have several prints by Jane, collected over the years.

The Guardian - Arts

If the pressure of this dramatic Championship season is increasing on those sides chasing Premier League status, it did not show on Good Friday on an afternoon when all four top-eight sides in action collected valuable wins.

The Guardian - Sport

Privacy International said : "All internet and telephone communications, without meaningful limits, are being collected, stored and analysed by the security and intelligence services, regardless of any grounds for suspicion.

The Guardian

It argues that journalists' communications are inadequately safeguarded under Ripa because their sources may be identified from the data collected by the intelligence agencies.

The Guardian

5 We will use personal information only for the purposes for which it was originally collected and we will make sure we delete it securely.

The Guardian

According to witness statements collected by the Investigative Reporting Project Italy (IRPI), which has investigated allegations against Maglio for one year, many women who say they were drugged and possibly assaulted by Maglio recall feeling comforted by the fact that he was a police officer when they decided to stay with him.

The Guardian

"It seems very likely there was what they call fly ash," she said, referring to ash which collected in the flues of the cremators.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "collected" to describe a person's demeanor, ensure the context clearly indicates emotional stability and composure, such as "He remained collected under pressure."

Common error

Avoid using "collected" to describe simply finding an object. Instead of saying "I collected the keys", use "I found the keys" or "I picked up the keys" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "collected" functions primarily as a past participle of the verb 'collect', indicating an action that has been completed. It also serves as an adjective, describing a state of being calm and composed. Ludwig provides examples illustrating both functions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "collected" functions as both a past participle and an adjective, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is commonly used in News & Media contexts, signifying the action of gathering or describing someone's composure. As an adjective, it signifies calmness, while as a verb, it means gathering or accumulating. Using synonyms like "gathered" or "assembled" can provide variety, but ensure the context aligns. Pay attention to the subtle difference between "collected" and "compiled"; use "collected" for general gathering and "compiled" for structured arrangement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathered

Simple substitution of a synonym, focusing on the act of bringing things together.

accumulated

Emphasizes the gradual increase or buildup over time.

assembled

Highlights the act of bringing parts or elements together to form a whole.

compiled

Implies the systematic gathering and arrangement of information or data.

garnered

Suggests the acquisition of something, often through effort or merit.

retained

Focuses on keeping or holding onto something that has been gathered or acquired.

amassed

Highlights the large-scale accumulation of something, often wealth or resources.

pulled together

Emphasizes the collaborative effort of bringing resources or people together.

remained calm

Refers to maintaining composure or emotional stability, rather than the literal act of gathering.

kept composed

Focuses on preserving a state of calmness or self-control.

FAQs

How can I use "collected" in a sentence?

"Collected" can be used as a past participle of the verb collect, meaning gathered or accumulated: "Data was "collected" from various sources". It can also describe someone calm and composed: "She remained "collected" despite the chaos".

What can I say instead of "collected"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "gathered", "accumulated" or "assembled" when referring to gathering something. When referring to someone's demeanor, use "calm", "composed" or "cool".

Which is correct, "data was collected" or "data were collected"?

"Data was collected" is generally preferred because "data" is often treated as a singular, uncountable noun in modern usage, especially in non-scientific contexts. While "data were collected" is grammatically correct when emphasizing the individual data points, it's less common.

What's the difference between "collected" and "compiled"?

"Collected" implies a general gathering of items or information. "Compiled" suggests a more organized and structured gathering, often with the intent of creating a comprehensive resource or document. For example, you might have "collected" receipts, but you've "compiled" them into an expense report.