collection

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "collection" is an acceptable and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of items gathered together for display, study, or sale, or to the act of collecting these items. For example, "The museum houses an impressive collection of ancient artifacts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such lawyerdom is how the NSA in 2006 transformed section 215's allowance to collect data "relevant" to an ongoing investigation into the ongoing bulk collection of US phone data – a construction that a federal appeals court rejected as illegal earlier this month.

The Guardian

"This acquisition allows us to secure a large, global platform on which to distribute our increasingly successful original programming through a collection of strong, well-established and well-managed assets worldwide".

The New York Times

Lest that sound like faint praise, he quickly qualifies it: earlier this week, in a day trip around Stockholm's record shops, he added 50 singles to his already mammoth Abba collection.

The Guardian - Music

That same year, he showed himself a man of the modern world by debuting his new wedding dress collection on Pinterest.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Often the first thing new recruits get from party HQ is an email begging for time and money On the campaigning trail I saw a few moments of charismatic evangelism and a lot of robotic data collection.

The Guardian - Opinion

The old collection of buildings that made up the original concentration camp was not big enough to house all those caught in mass arrests, so inmates were forced to work 12- to 15-hour days to construct a new camp next door that would become notorious as the Nazis' biggest death camp.

The Guardian

Not just Russia's most popular politician, Putin is set to become an unlikely fashion icon as one brand launches a new collection of Putinwear.

The Guardian

The library at Worcester Cathedral was founded in Saxon times and today holds a fine collection of medieval manuscripts, post-medieval books and archive documents.

The Guardian - Travel

The US Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to end the bulk collection of millions of Americans' phone records, ushering in the country's most significant surveillance reform since 1978 two years after NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden's revelations to the Guardian.

The Guardian

The collection answers the endless questions of what to do with the tiny turnips, pink-flushed Florence onions, purple carrots and broad beans the size of a little finger that those of us who use box systems or shop at farmers' markets often find in our kitchens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Apfel has a story to tell about each of her outfits; she insists that hers is not a fashion collection, because she bought every piece to wear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "collection", be specific about its nature and purpose. For example, instead of just saying 'a collection of items', specify 'a collection of rare stamps' or 'a collection of data points for analysis'.

Common error

Avoid using "collection" as a verb. The correct verb form is "collect". For example, say 'We collect data' instead of 'We collection data'.

Linguistic Context

The noun "collection" primarily functions as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to a group of items or the act of gathering. Ludwig AI states that "collection" is an acceptable and usable word. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, such as 'a coin collection' or 'data collection'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Lifestyle

12%

Books

9%

Less common in

Sport

2%

Opinion

4%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "collection" is a versatile noun used to describe a group of items or the act of gathering. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. With a "Very common" frequency and presence across diverse contexts like News & Media, Lifestyle, and Books, "collection" serves various communicative purposes, mainly to describe and categorize. When using "collection", it's important to specify the nature and purpose of the group to enhance clarity. Remember to avoid using "collection" as a verb, opting for the correct verb form, "collect".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assortment

Refers to a varied group, emphasizing diversity within the grouping.

compilation

Highlights the process of gathering material into a single work or resource.

accumulation

Focuses on the gradual increase in quantity over time.

aggregation

Stresses the gathering of items into a cluster or mass.

assemblage

Implies the act of bringing together diverse elements into a unified whole.

inventory

Emphasizes a detailed list or catalog of items.

stockpile

Suggests a large accumulation of resources, often for future use.

repository

Highlights a place or system where items are stored or gathered.

portfolio

Indicates a range of investments or works, often related to finance or creative fields.

hoard

Suggests a secret accumulation of valuables, typically hidden away.

FAQs

How can I use "collection" in a sentence?

You can use "collection" to refer to a group of items, as in "He has a superb coin collection". It can also refer to the act of gathering, such as "The collection of trash will occur every Thursday".

What are some synonyms for "collection"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "assortment", "compilation", "accumulation", or "assemblage" to replace "collection".

Is it correct to say "a collection of data" or "a data collection"?

Both phrases are correct but have slightly different meanings. "A collection of data" refers to a group of data points. "Data collection" refers to the process of gathering data.

What is the difference between "collection" and "set"?

"Collection" generally refers to a group of items gathered together. "Set", in mathematics, refers to a well-defined group of distinct objects, often with specific properties or relationships. While a "set" can be a type of "collection", not all collections are sets.