collects

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'collects' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to indicate that something has been gathered or brought together, usually from different sources. For example: "The museum collects artifacts from around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In many cases, it'll balance the bets it makes on both sides of the trade, so that it's exposed to no risk and it collects the certain profit from the spread.

The Economist

JIEDDO's vice director told the inspector general in August 2012 that neither "JIEDDO nor the COIC collects information on US persons".

The Guardian

That is just what the UK collects; the files also revealed that 60% of all Britain's refined intelligence comes from the NSA.

The Guardian

Oriental rugs on parquet floors, french windows to balcony and garden, bedrooms brimful of interest: she collects simple things from long-gone days.

The Guardian - Travel

He calls the current crop that the NHL currently collects "woefully inadequate".

The Guardian - Sport

Colleen Delaney Eubanks, executive director of the National Child Support Enforcement Association, said that concerns over state sovereignty were baseless, and compared the new rules to the way that Idaho collects child support payments from Texas or any other US state.

The Guardian

In addition to households, the BLS collects job market data from firms, so there are two sources of jobs data.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bopara slog-sweeps the ball straight to deep midwicket, where Maxwell collects, running to his right.

The Guardian - Sport

Huge crowds have stayed on at Hyde Park and they give lingering applause to Jonny Brownlee (who seems to have recovered and is now smiling), Javier Gomez and Alistair Brownlee, who grits his teeth and throws his hands to the sky as he collects his gold.

The Guardian - Sport

Pre-empting Palestine joining the international court of last resort, Israel has already suspended the transfer of tax revenue it collects on the Palestinians' behalf, holding back around $120m £82mm) a month.

The Guardian

They are building bio-centres – toilet facilities where human slurry is collected and put in a digester which collects the methane emitted from poo as it breaks down.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider using synonyms of "collects" like "gathers", "accumulates", or "compiles" to add variety to your language and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "collects" when the context implies creation or generation, instead of gathering existing items. For example, it's more accurate to say a factory "produces" goods rather than "collects" them.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "collects" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. It describes an action performed by a single entity, such as a person or organization, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "collects" functions as a verb signifying the act of gathering or accumulating items or information. It is grammatically correct and sees very common usage across diverse contexts, especially in news media, formal business settings, and scientific domains. According to Ludwig AI, the term's use is widespread and generally indicates a deliberate action of bringing things together. For variety in writing, consider synonyms like "gathers", "accumulates", or "compiles". Be aware of subtle contextual differences to ensure precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathers

Expresses a similar action of bringing things together, but may imply a more deliberate or organized effort.

accumulates

Suggests a gradual increase over time, often implying a larger quantity.

assembles

Indicates bringing together separate parts to form a whole.

compiles

Specifically refers to gathering information or data into a structured format.

amasses

Implies gathering a large quantity, often of something valuable.

acquires

Focuses on the act of gaining possession of something, whether tangible or intangible.

procures

Suggests obtaining something through effort or special means.

harvests

Often used in the context of crops or resources, implying a gathering of something that has grown or matured.

retrieves

Focuses on getting something back or obtaining something that was previously lost or inaccessible.

extracts

Suggests carefully taking something out from a source.

FAQs

How is "collects" typically used in a sentence?

"Collects" is generally used as a verb to indicate the action of gathering things together. For example, "The museum "collects" artifacts from around the world."

What can I say instead of "collects"?

You can use alternatives like "gathers", "accumulates", or "compiles" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "collects data" or should I use another term?

While "collects data" is perfectly acceptable, you might also consider more precise terms like "gathers data", "compiles data", or "extracts data" depending on the method and purpose of data acquisition.

What's the difference between "collects" and "receives"?

"Collects" implies actively gathering items or information from multiple sources, whereas "receives" simply means to get something that is sent or given. One "collects" stamps, but one receives a letter.