collects back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collects back" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where something is being retrieved or returned, but it is not commonly used in this form. Example: "The system collects back the data after processing it."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Your vacuum could be spewing out the finer dust and debris it collects back into the air -- making it an allergy-induced nightmare.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Aon, a giant insurance broker, had to move a $90m reinsurance collectible that it feared it would not collect back into last year's results.

The Economist

And yes, if people cannot afford it, we do not collect back what they owe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Problems in collecting back taxes have cost Bridgeport more than $25 million since the mid-1980's.

The New York Times

Pumping out is difficult because some of the water just collected back".

The New York Times

Workers say he made himself popular by intervening to solve problems, like helping a laid-off worker collect back pay.

The New York Times

The underwriters would issue bonds, to be paid off as they collected back taxes or foreclosed on the properties.

The New York Times

When it filed for bankruptcy last fall, the owners moved to regain control of the property and collect back rent.

The New York Times

Legal action was also taken to collect back rent and utility fees owed the cafe's landlord, Rockefeller Center.

The New York Times

The confrontation comes at a time when the I.R.S. has been reluctant to seize property to collect back taxes.

The New York Times

Its clerks helped soldiers collect back pay and pensions - and answered letters like the one from Mrs. Plumb, of Breedsville, Mich.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When possible, substitute "collects back" with more common and clearer alternatives such as "retrieves" or "gathers again" to improve clarity and readability. For example: "The system retrieves the processed data" is better than "The system collects back the data after processing it".

Common error

Avoid using "collects back" in formal or professional writing as it can sound awkward and less polished. Opt for more precise and standard alternatives depending on the context. For example, instead of 'The company collects back overdue payments', use 'The company recovers overdue payments'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collects back" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of gathering something again or retrieving something previously dispersed. While grammatically understandable, Ludwig AI indicates it's not the most common or elegant way to express this idea. For example, "Your vacuum could be spewing out the finer dust and debris it collects back into the air".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "collects back" is technically understandable, it is an awkward phrase in English. Ludwig AI suggests that it is not a standard expression. Its primary function is to describe the act of re-gathering or retrieving, but it's best replaced with clearer alternatives like "retrieves" or "gathers again", particularly in formal writing. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, but its overall usage is rare, and more precise wording is generally preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retrieves

This is a more standard and direct way of saying "collects back", implying the recovery of something.

gathers again

This phrase emphasizes the act of reassembling or accumulating something that was previously dispersed.

recovers

Focuses on the act of getting something back, often after a loss or difficulty.

takes back

Suggests reclaiming or regaining possession of something.

accumulates again

Highlights the repeated gathering of items or substances.

recoups

Suggests recovering something of value, like money or resources.

reclaims

Implies asserting a right to take something back.

assembles anew

Emphasizes putting parts back together in a structured way.

regains possession of

A formal way of saying taking something back, emphasizing legal or rightful ownership.

harvests again

Implies a second gathering of crops or resources.

FAQs

What is a better way to say "collects back"?

You can use alternatives like "retrieves", "gathers again", or "takes back" depending on the context.

Is "collects back" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "collects back" is considered awkward and is not standard English. It's better to use more common and clearer alternatives.

What's the difference between "collects back" and "retrieves"?

"Collects back" is less common and can sound redundant. "Retrieves" is a more standard and direct term, generally preferred for its clarity and conciseness.

How can I use "collects back" in a sentence?

Although it's better to use alternatives, you might encounter it in specific contexts where the emphasis is on re-collecting something. For example: "The sensor collects back data after each cycle."