it was collecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was collecting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing action in the past, typically referring to the gathering or accumulation of something. Example: "During the storm, it was collecting rainwater in the gutters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The two other documents released Wednesday were letters to Congress saying the N.S.A. had really analyzed only a tiny fraction of the data it was collecting but failed to say why the enormous collection was necessary, legal or wise.

The New York Times

Maharashtra ended up paying Enron 4.67 rupees for each unit of power, even though it was collecting only 1.89 rupees from its customers.

The New York Times

But Foursquare knew that the data it was collecting on users would prove its value eventually.

TechCrunch

Before "Drip Drop" was a viral sensation, with its ear-wormy chorus and infectious bounce, it was collecting dust from producer-writer Justin Bostwick's since-abandoned rap aspirations.

Los Angeles Times

But it emphasized that it was focused on "foreign" intelligence collection — not domestic — and pushed back against the notion that it was collecting abroad to "get around" legal limits imposed by domestic surveillance laws.

The New York Times - Tech

It was rubbish and it was collecting dust.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

It was collected early & was self-perpetuating.

The New Yorker

It was collect, and from a correctional facility.

The New York Times

It was collected from Pegu [Bago River, Myanmar]26.

Nature

It was collected in his 1856 volume The Piazza Tales.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A rare find, it was collected by Jeffrey Myers and is now being studied by Lenny Kouwenberg.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was collecting" to emphasize the continuous nature of the gathering process in the past.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "it was collecting" implies active selection; it can also refer to passively accumulating data or items without a specific purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was collecting" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action in the past. It describes the process of gathering or accumulating something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was collecting" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe an ongoing process of gathering or accumulating something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent appearance across diverse sources like news media, academic papers, and scientific publications underscores its broad applicability. When using "it was collecting", clarity regarding what "it" refers to and the nature of the gathering process is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it gathered

Focuses on the action of gathering, omitting the continuous aspect.

it accumulated

Emphasizes a gradual increase or build-up over time.

it amassed

Suggests collecting a large quantity of something.

it was compiling

Highlights the process of organizing collected items.

it was assembling

Indicates collecting components to form a whole.

it obtained

Focuses on the result of getting something.

it acquired

Emphasizes gaining possession of something.

it harvested

Suggests a process of gathering a yield or crop.

it was drawing

Implies attracting or pulling something in.

it was accruing

Indicates a gradual increase or accumulation, often of debts or benefits.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it was collecting"?

You can use alternatives like "it gathered", "it accumulated", or "it amassed" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "it was collecting" in a sentence?

Use "it was collecting" to describe an ongoing action of gathering or accumulating something in the past, for example, "During the storm, it was collecting rainwater."

Is "it was collected" the same as "it was collecting"?

No, "it was collected" implies that the action of collecting is completed, while "it was collecting" indicates an ongoing action in the past.

What kind of information can "it" refer to when using "it was collecting"?

The "it" can refer to data, samples, revenue, or any kind of countable or uncountable resource that is being gathered or accumulated. For example: "it was collecting data about users" or "it was collecting revenues".