collected less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collected less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the amount of something that has been gathered or accumulated, indicating that the quantity is smaller than expected or than in a previous instance. Example: "This year, we collected less data than we did last year due to budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

States had strong growth in tax collections during the first quarter of the year, but still collected less money than they did before the recession began, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government.

The New York Times

Garbage would be collected less often.

The New York Times

Zero-hours contracts mean lower tax collected, less student loan – if any – paid back.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Walker collected less than $4,000 from "Brilliant," Mr. Galligan said.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. McCain collected less than $220 million for the campaign's primary phase, compared with the more than $410 million that Mr. Obama did in that period.

The New York Times

In October, Golovkin, 34, collected less than 150,000 pay-per-view buys for his title-unification victory over David Lemieux at a sold-out Madison Square Garden.

The Guardian - Sport

The companies were supposed to be tiny: Congress allowed the exemption only if the insurance companies collected less than $350,000 in premiums.

The New York Times

Compared to unexposed colonies, the exposed bumblebees visited fewer trees and collected less pollen, resulting in apples with one-third less pips.

The Guardian

Rubbish may be collected less often, sewage pipes fixed more slowly and staff sent home on certain days.

The Economist

Nationally, people who earned at least $1 million in 2009 collected less than 10 percent of all the income.

The New York Times

It collected less than a fifth of the value-added taxes (VAT) it was owed, according to Neeraj Jain of the Asian Development Bank.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "collected less", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was expected or previously collected to provide a meaningful comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "collected less" without specifying the basis for comparison. Ensure the reader understands what the amount is being compared to, whether it's a previous collection, an expected amount, or a standard benchmark.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collected less" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action (collecting) resulting in a smaller quantity than anticipated or previously achieved. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "collected less" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a reduction in quantity compared to a prior expectation or amount. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various domains, including News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "gathered fewer" or "accumulated less" can offer nuanced meanings, "collected less" serves as a direct and widely understood way to communicate a decrease in accumulation. When writing with "collected less", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for formal reports and casual discussions alike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathered fewer

Emphasizes a smaller number of items collected.

accumulated less

Highlights the reduction in the total amount accumulated over time.

obtained less

Focuses on the process of acquiring a reduced amount.

received less

Stresses that a smaller quantity was given or provided.

brought in less

Used when discussing revenue or earnings that were lower than expected.

yielded less

Implies a smaller output or return from an effort or investment.

amassed fewer

Highlights a reduced number of items collected, emphasizing gradual accumulation.

netted less

Focuses on the final amount remaining after deductions or expenses, indicating a reduced profit or gain.

garnered fewer

Implies a smaller amount of something, often through effort or competition.

reaped less

Suggests a smaller harvest or return from an action or investment.

FAQs

How can I use "collected less" in a sentence?

You can use "collected less" to indicate a smaller quantity gathered compared to a previous amount or expectation. For example, "This year, we "collected less" revenue than last year."

What are some alternatives to "collected less"?

Alternatives include "gathered fewer", "accumulated less", or "obtained less" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "collected less than"?

Yes, it's correct to say "collected less than" when comparing the amount collected to a specific figure or another collection. For instance, "We "collected less" than expected."

What's the difference between "collected less" and "collected fewer"?

"Collected less" is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., revenue, water), while "collected fewer" is used for countable nouns (e.g., items, votes). For example, "We "collected less" water" and "We "collected fewer" items."