was collected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was collected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an object or person that has been gathered and is now in one place. For example: "The members of the committee were collected from across the state."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The type collection was collected on sawdust.

Wikipedia

What data was collected?

The New York Times

now knows was collected?

The New York Times

He was collected.

The New York Times - Sports

Horse tribute was collected.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Afterwards he was collected by producer Kate.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Last year, $41.3 billion was collected here.

The New York Times

Initially, that only "fragmentary" data was collected.

The Guardian - Tech

From this, $1.9bn in royalties was collected.

The Guardian - Business

His work was collected by museums internationally.

The New York Times

It was collected early & was self-perpetuating.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was collected" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of the collection process, focusing on the object being collected rather than the collector.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily using the passive voice with "was collected" when active voice provides more directness and clarity. For instance, instead of "The data was collected by the team", consider "The team collected the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was collected" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action (collecting) was performed on a subject. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showcasing its use in various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was collected" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe the process of gathering or obtaining something. Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples show that it is particularly common in scientific and news contexts. While generally neutral in register, it is crucial to ensure clarity by making sure the collector is known or implied. Remember to choose between active and passive voice based on your desired emphasis, and be mindful of the singular/plural agreement. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "was collected" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was gathered

Similar passive construction, emphasizing the act of bringing things together.

was obtained

Focuses on the process of acquiring or gaining possession of something.

was acquired

Implies ownership or control was gained.

was assembled

Suggests parts were brought together to form a whole.

was compiled

Indicates that information or data was gathered and organized.

was harvested

Used primarily when something organic (crop) was collected.

was extracted

Highlights a process of taking something out from a larger unit.

was retrieved

Emphasizes the recovery or finding of something that was previously lost or inaccessible.

was accumulated

Highlights a gradual increase in quantity over time.

was secured

Focuses on the effort involved to get something, suggesting that it could have been lost.

FAQs

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

Use "was collected" to describe something that has been gathered or obtained. For example, "The data "was collected" over several months."

What are some alternatives to "was collected"?

Alternatives include "was gathered", "was obtained", or "was acquired", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how data is gathered?

It depends on the focus. Use passive voice (e.g., "Data "was collected"") to emphasize the data itself. Use active voice (e.g., "Researchers collected the data") to highlight the actors.

What is the difference between "was collected" and "were collected"?

"Was collected" is used with singular nouns (e.g., "The sample "was collected""), while "were collected" is used with plural nouns (e.g., "The samples "were collected"").