we are collecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we are collecting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase in a sentence to refer to the ongoing activity of collecting objects or information. For example: "We are collecting donations for the homeless shelter in downtown Chicago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are collecting underway data.

The New York Times

"We are collecting grease," Mr. Ballard said.

The New York Times

We are collecting reports from witnesses.

The Guardian

We are collecting data on the drought situation.

The Guardian

"We are collecting evidence and talking to eyewitnesses," he said.

The New Yorker

How do we structure the data we are collecting?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In the mess hall we are collecting nails for Uncle Sam.

The New York Times - Books

"Now we are collecting far more, but they can't prevent it from going offshore.

The New York Times - Science

Here in the Mara we are collecting the samples needed to test these hypotheses.

The New York Times

We are collecting some data while northbound; swath bathymetry, sub-bottom profiler and gravity anomaly data.

The New York Times

"We are collecting evidence and are identifying the culprits," the official, Slobodan Radovanovic, said in a statement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we are collecting", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being gathered and the purpose behind the collection. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we are collecting" without specifying what you're gathering. For instance, instead of saying "We are collecting", clarify it as "We are collecting data on customer preferences" to provide a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are collecting" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that is currently in progress. It is used to describe the ongoing process of gathering or accumulating something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in its analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

32%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are collecting" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an ongoing action of gathering or accumulating something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various contexts, especially in news, academic research and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being gathered. Consider alternatives like "we are gathering" or "we are compiling" to add nuance. Remember that while both "we are collecting" and "we're collecting" are acceptable, the former is slightly more formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we're gathering

A contraction used instead of "we are", making it slightly more informal.

we are gathering

Similar in meaning, but without the contraction; slightly more formal.

we're accumulating

Implies a gradual increase or build-up of something over time.

we are compiling

Suggests systematically gathering information or data into a list or report.

we are obtaining

Focuses on the process of acquiring or getting something.

we are assembling

Highlights the act of bringing individual components together.

we're compiling

A contraction used instead of "we are", making it slightly more informal and suggests systematically gathering information or data into a list or report.

we're obtaining

A contraction used instead of "we are", making it slightly more informal and focuses on the process of acquiring or getting something.

we're assembling

A contraction used instead of "we are", making it slightly more informal and highlights the act of bringing individual components together.

we are amassing

Implies collecting a large quantity of something, often with effort.

FAQs

How can I use "we are collecting" in a sentence?

You can use "we are collecting" to describe the ongoing process of gathering items, information, or data. For example, "We are collecting donations for the local food bank" or "We are collecting data to improve our services".

What are some alternatives to "we are collecting"?

You can use alternatives like "we are gathering", "we are compiling", or "we are obtaining" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "we are collecting" or "we're collecting"?

"We are collecting" is slightly more formal than "we're collecting" due to the absence of a contraction. However, both are acceptable in most professional and academic settings.

What's the difference between "we are collecting" and "we are analyzing"?

"We are collecting" refers to the act of gathering data or items, while "we are analyzing" refers to the process of examining and interpreting that data. You typically collect before you analyze.