he collected

USAGE SUMMARY

'he collected' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that someone acquired or gathered something. For example: He collected several rare coins during his travels around the world.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He collected signatures.

The New York Times

He collected eight assists.

The New York Times

He collected lichens.

The New Yorker

He collected friends".

The New York Times

(He collected gems).

The Guardian - Arts

He collected fountain pens.

The New Yorker

And, he collected antiques!

The New York Times

He collected art.

The New York Times

He collected toys.

The New York Times

He collected pictures.

The New York Times - Books

He collected shotguns.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he collected" when you want to express the act of gathering, acquiring, or accumulating items or information. It is suitable for various contexts, from hobbies to professional achievements.

Common error

Avoid using "he collected" when the intended meaning is to create or generate something new. "Collected" implies gathering existing items, not creating new ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he collected" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "collected" is the main verb in the past tense. It indicates an action performed by a subject, referring to the act of gathering or accumulating something. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Arts

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he collected" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase, indicating the act of gathering or acquiring something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts. It appears most commonly in news and media, arts, and sports reporting, showing its broad applicability. While alternatives like "he gathered" or "he acquired" can offer nuanced meanings, "he collected" remains a straightforward and reliable choice for expressing the idea of accumulation. The key is to ensure that the object being collected aligns with the intended meaning, avoiding its use when creation or generation is implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he gathered

Replaces "collected" with "gathered", emphasizing the act of bringing things together.

he accumulated

Uses "accumulated" to suggest a gradual increase in quantity over time.

he acquired

Emphasizes the obtaining or gaining of something.

he amassed

Suggests the gathering of a large quantity of something, often wealth or power.

he obtained

Focuses on the act of coming into possession of something, possibly through effort.

he compiled

Highlights the gathering of information or data into a structured format.

he picked up

Indicates the act of acquiring something, sometimes casually or opportunistically.

he drew

Implies receiving something like salary or pension.

he racked up

Suggests that he gained something quickly and efficiently.

he harvested

Describes the act of gathering crops or other natural resources, or results from effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "he collected" to describe someone gathering items, information, or even abstract things like awards. For example, "He collected stamps as a hobby" or "He collected data for his research".

What are some alternatives to "he collected"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he gathered", "he acquired", or "he accumulated" to add nuance to your writing.

Is it correct to say "he collected" in a formal context?

Yes, "he collected" is perfectly acceptable in formal contexts, especially when describing someone's achievements or accumulation of resources. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What is the difference between "he collected" and "he compiled"?

"He collected" generally refers to gathering items or information, while "he compiled" specifically suggests organizing information into a structured format. For example, "He collected data" versus "He compiled a report".