please collect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please collect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting someone to gather or obtain items or information. Example: "Please collect the necessary documents before the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

If you find mealybugs on soybeans showing signs of the potassium deficiency — please collect samples!

Cornell University

Instead of collecting food, she urges those who ask: please collect money, and then give it to her food pantry for things she really needs (like garbage bags and a new sink) or to the Food Bank.

The New York Times

If you find the galls on blueberry bushes in your field, or on non-cultivated blueberry bushes around your farm, please collect them.

Cornell University

Now please collect your things and go home".

Huffington Post

Apparently our message of "Please collect LGBT data" was only partially heard.

Huffington Post

No questions asked, just collect at reception"; "For some reason there was a holdall full of toilet paper in the gents', please collect at reception") and telling people that two assessors from a local gym are coming in on Tuesday and can someone please come and at least meet them.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"So please call collect and tell me what's up.

The New York Times

Please wire collect.'" In 1946, Blanchard missed the first two games of the season due to an injury to his knee.

Wikipedia

Anna Broinowski – who won best documentary director for Pauline Hanson: Please Explain! – collected her award from the president of Aacta, Geoffrey Rush.

The Guardian - Film

Old-media companies have traditionally left that to others, pleased to collect just advertising and subscription revenues.

The Economist

Cold Comfort was dropped to fourth for crowding in the stretch and Lunation was de clared the winner Luna tion's backers were pleased to collect $19.20 for $2 on their straight bets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please collect" in instructions or requests, specify exactly what needs to be collected and where to find it. Clarity minimizes confusion and ensures accurate completion of the task.

Common error

Avoid using "please collect" in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "grab" or "get" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please collect" functions as a polite imperative, directing someone to gather or obtain specific items or information. Ludwig confirms the usage is correct. The examples highlight its use in academic requests and general instructions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

43%

News & Media

43%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please collect" is a grammatically correct phrase used to issue a polite request for gathering or obtaining items or information, as confirmed by Ludwig. It appears most frequently in academic and news contexts. The phrase strikes a neutral to professional tone. For more casual situations, simpler alternatives like "grab" or "get" may be more suitable. When clarity is needed, specify exactly what to collect and where to find it. Overall, "please collect" is a reliable and appropriate choice for formal requests and instructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kindly gather

Replaces "please" with "kindly" for a slightly more formal tone and "collect" with "gather" a synonym.

would you please gather

Combines "would you" and "please" for enhanced politeness and indirectness.

please obtain

Substitutes "collect" with "obtain", implying a more formal or official acquisition.

could you collect

Adds "could" to soften the request, making it more polite and less direct.

can you gather

Changes the request to a question format, maintaining the same core meaning.

please retrieve

Implies fetching something that is stored or located elsewhere.

please assemble

Uses "assemble" instead of "collect", suggesting a bringing together of separate parts.

please compile

Suggests gathering information or data into a structured format.

please accumulate

Replaces "collect" with "accumulate", emphasizing a gradual gathering over time.

please take

Uses "take" instead of "collect", suggesting a simpler act of acquiring something.

FAQs

How can I use "please collect" in a sentence?

You can use "please collect" to politely request someone to gather or obtain something. For instance, "Please collect the samples and bring them to the lab" or "Please collect all the necessary data for the report".

What are some alternatives to "please collect"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "kindly gather", "please obtain", or "please assemble".

Is it more appropriate to use "please collect" or "can you collect"?

"Please collect" is a polite request, while "can you collect" is a question asking about someone's ability to collect. The choice depends on whether you are making a request or inquiring about capability.

When should I use "please collect" versus "please take"?

"Please collect" implies gathering several items or specific data, while "please take" is more suitable for a single item. For example, "Please collect the documents" versus "Please take this file".