collecting facts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collecting facts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of gathering information or data for research, analysis, or decision-making purposes. Example: "The researcher spent months collecting facts to support her thesis on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"We're going to spend the next two years collecting facts".

The New York Times

Now we're collecting facts, we're reviewing those options.

The New York Times

Defenders argue that the whole point of collecting facts is to learn when not to telephone and what not to shove through the letterbox.

The Economist

And journalism undoubtedly entails a lot more than simply collecting facts and dumping them on an unsuspecting world – WikiLeaks proved that, if proof were needed.

The Guardian

Over the last six months, the Ad Hoc Committee on ROTC has been collecting facts and points of view by reading books, watching a documentary, conducting interviews and reading letters written by members of the Stanford community.

Stanford University

In the view of officials from past and present presidencies, it was a classic collision of a White House desire to promote a stunning national security triumph — and feed a ravenous media — while collecting facts from a chaotic military operation on the other side of the world.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It takes time to collect facts".

The New York Times

Why? Davies collects facts, one brick at a time.

The New Yorker

An exploratory mechanism is designed simply to collect facts.

Harvard Business Review

Then others were instructed to collect facts for different sections of the outlines.

Harvard Business Review

First, the doctor uses a patient's history and a physical exam to collect facts about her complaint or condition.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "collecting facts", ensure your sources are credible and diverse to avoid bias.

Common error

Avoid relying only on readily available online sources. Diversify your research by including academic journals, books, and expert interviews to ensure the accuracy and depth of the "collecting facts" process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collecting facts" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it describes the action of gathering verifiable pieces of information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collecting facts" is a grammatically sound and commonly used gerund phrase that describes the process of gathering verifiable information. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used across various domains such as News & Media, Science, and Academia. While other phrases like "gathering data" or "compiling information" may be suitable alternatives depending on the context, "collecting facts" remains a versatile and effective way to describe the action of gathering information, as validated by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathering data

Focuses more specifically on the acquisition of data, often in a scientific or research context.

compiling information

Emphasizes the process of assembling information from various sources.

accumulating evidence

Highlights the collection of evidence to support a claim or argument.

obtaining information

Focuses on the act of getting information, regardless of the source.

acquiring knowledge

Emphasizes the gaining of understanding or awareness.

investigating details

Focuses on a thorough examination of specific details.

researching information

Highlights a systematic investigation to discover or revise facts.

fact-finding

A more concise term emphasizing the process of discovering facts.

data collection

A more formal term used especially in scientific or technical contexts.

gathering intelligence

Implies collecting facts for strategic or security purposes.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "collecting facts" in a sentence?

Use "collecting facts" to describe the action of gathering information, such as: "The investigation began with the team "collecting facts" from various sources."

What are some alternatives to "collecting facts"?

Alternatives include "gathering data", "compiling information", or "accumulating evidence", depending on the specific context.

Is "collecting facts" a formal or informal phrase?

"Collecting facts" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and purpose of the writing. More formal alternatives exist, like "data collection".

What is the difference between "collecting facts" and "gathering information"?

While similar, "collecting facts" often implies a more structured and deliberate approach to gathering verifiable pieces of data. "Gathering information" is a broader term and can include opinions or less structured data.