they collected some

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they collected some" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of gathering or acquiring a certain quantity of items or information. Example: "After the event, they collected some feedback from the participants to improve future gatherings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

So they collected some.

The New York Times - Sports

Altogether they collected some 1200 animal specimens.

The New Yorker

Several women in the convoy intervened: "They collected some money, and the gendarme was pacified".

The New Yorker

They collected some of it with fine-mesh nets, then counted the pieces using tweezers.

The Washington Post

Several women in the convoy intervened: "They collected some money, and the gendarme was pacified". Taking the money and a twelve-year-old girl, the Circassian mounted his horse and rode off.

The New Yorker

Holloway's Blackpool side were relegated in 2011 after one season in the top flight but they collected some notable scalps along the way, not least when they did the double over the Reds.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Yet the two islands are still refusing to swap information automatically under the European Union's savings-tax directive, though they collect some tax on behalf of other countries under an option that keeps the beneficiaries' identity secret.

The Economist

Twelve women said that they only collected some old clothes, which they had kept separately, but they had not stitched any new dresses or Kathas (local quilt covering) for the arrival of the new baby.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

He said: "They visited two hospitals, they interviewed witnesses, survivors and doctors, they also collected some samples".

BBC

After a minor delay, which also followed a mortar attack close to their hotel yesterday morning, the team "visited two hospitals, they interviewed witnesses, survivors and doctors, they also collected some samples," Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.

Independent

He said they had collected some small weapons and some documents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they collected some" when you want to indicate that a group or entity gathered a non-specific or moderate quantity of something, rather than specifying the exact amount.

Common error

Avoid using "they collected some" with explicitly countable nouns when the number is already known or can be easily specified. Instead of "they collected some three books", say "they collected three books".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they collected some" functions as a statement indicating that a group or unspecified number of individuals or entities performed the action of gathering a certain quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and frequently encountered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they collected some" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that a group or entity has gathered an unspecified quantity of something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for general use and appears frequently in news articles and other reliable sources. While versatile, it's most effective when the specific quantity is either unknown or unimportant to the context. Consider alternatives like "they gathered a few" or "they accumulated several" to adjust the tone or emphasize different aspects of the collection. Also, be mindful of the context. In more formal contexts, it might be better to use synonyms that sound more professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they gathered a few

Replaces "collected" with "gathered", implying a less formal or organized collection.

they accumulated several

Emphasizes a gradual increase in quantity over time, unlike the single action of "collected".

they obtained a number of

Focuses on the act of getting or acquiring something, often through effort.

they picked up a few

Suggests a casual or opportunistic collection, often of physical objects.

they amassed some

Implies a large-scale accumulation, suggesting a significant quantity was collected.

they compiled some

Specifically refers to the gathering of information or data into a structured format.

they harvested some

Implies collecting something like crops or resources, often from a natural source.

they secured a portion of

Highlights the act of gaining possession of something, often implying competition or effort.

they salvaged some

Suggests collecting something that was damaged or lost, implying a rescue or recovery effort.

they requisitioned some

Indicates collecting something through a formal request or order, often in an official capacity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they collected some" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "they obtained some", "they acquired some", or "they accumulated some", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they collected some of it"?

Yes, "they collected some of it" is grammatically correct. It implies that they gathered a portion of a larger whole. For example, "They found a pile of trash and "they collected some" of it for disposal".

What's the difference between "they gathered some" and "they collected some"?

While "they gathered some" and ""they collected some"" are similar, "gathered" often suggests a less formal or more natural process of bringing things together, whereas "collected" can imply a more deliberate or organized effort.

When should I use "they collected some" versus specifying a number?

Use ""they collected some"" when the exact quantity isn't important or is unknown. If the quantity is known and relevant, specifying the number is more precise (e.g., "They collected five samples").