materials were collected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "materials were collected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as research, experiments, or any situation where items or data are gathered for analysis or study. Example: "For the study, materials were collected from various sources to ensure a comprehensive analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In three hospitals, HCW materials were collected daily while the collection programme was irregular in the rest hospitals.

BMC Public Health

Various candidate materials were collected from many sources.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

The materials were collected by Aaron Gerow and also supported by donations.

Yale University

The electrospun materials were collected with an ethanol bath adapted to a previous electrospinning set-up.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

About one-third of the materials were collected, arranged and indexed by Basset; the remainder were found loose in the files, and arranged chronologically.

Columbia University

These materials were collected by Edwin Ko on the Crow Reservation in Montana beginning in July 2018 during his graduate studies at University of California, Berkeley.

University of California, Berkeley

In 2014, students led the implementation of composting in all freshman dorms, and more than 413 tons of materials were collected for donation or reuse.

Harvard University

These materials were collected by members of the Cornell Chapter of Acacia Fraternity during the years of its formal affiliation with Masonry, 1907 to 1933.

Cornell University

Biological materials were collected after 5 months, and serum lipid, T-AOC, LPO, and MDA levels were then measured.

Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology

At the same time, music materials were collected from the University Library and combined with the Department's holdings to form one large music collection.

Yale University

These materials were collected by Vivian Wauters in the summer of 2012, following her second year in the graduate program in linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "materials were collected" in scientific reports, academic papers, and formal documentation to maintain a professional and objective tone.

Common error

Avoid using "materials were collected" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "we got the stuff" or "things were gathered" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "materials were collected" functions as a passive construction indicating that materials have been subjected to the action of being collected by an unspecified actor. Ludwig confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

Academia

25%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "materials were collected" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction, primarily found in scientific and academic contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that it serves to report the gathering of items, often for research or analysis, maintaining a formal and objective tone. While versatile, it's best suited for formal writing, with simpler alternatives available for informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

items were gathered

Replaces "materials" with "items", suggesting a broader range of objects collected.

samples were obtained

Emphasizes a formal or scientific process of acquiring specimens.

specimens were acquired

Implies a deliberate and often scientific or research-oriented collection.

data was compiled

Focuses on the collection of information for analysis.

documents were assembled

Specifically refers to the gathering of written or printed materials.

resources were accumulated

Highlights the buildup of available resources over time.

evidence was amassed

Suggests a comprehensive collection of proof or supporting information.

artifacts were retrieved

Indicates the recovery of historical or cultural items.

collections were built

Emphasizes the gradual development of a comprehensive collection.

supplies were procured

Highlights the act of obtaining necessary provisions or equipment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "materials were collected" to sound more active?

You can use active voice constructions such as "researchers collected the materials" or "the team gathered the samples" to make the sentence more direct and engaging.

What's a less formal way to say "materials were collected"?

In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "we got the stuff", "items were picked up", or "things were gathered" to maintain a conversational tone.

Is it appropriate to use "materials were collected" in business writing?

Yes, "materials were collected" is suitable for business writing, especially in reports or formal communications. However, ensure the language aligns with the overall tone and audience. Alternatives could be "data was compiled" or "information was gathered".

What's the difference between "materials were collected" and "materials were gathered"?

While similar, "collected" often implies a more systematic or deliberate process, especially in scientific or formal contexts. "Gathered" can be used more broadly to describe bringing things together. You can also use alternatives like "items were gathered".