were collected

USAGE SUMMARY

"were collected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about collecting something, either physically or figuratively. For example, "The survey responses were collected from respondents all over the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were collected.

The New York Times

Keys were collected.

The New York Times - Sports

Several more bags were collected.

The New Yorker

Background variables were collected.

Nutrition Research

Data were collected prospectively.

Journal of Vascular Surgery

Data were collected anonymously.

American Journal of Infection Control

The final pieces were collected and weighed.

The New York Times

After 30 days, the buoys were collected.

The New York Times

Depleted batteries were collected for proper disposal.

The New York Times

Lysates were collected in clean Eppendorf tubes.

Nature

Images were collected every 0.28 s.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were collected", ensure the subject clearly identifies what was gathered. For instance, specify "data were collected" or "samples were collected" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "were collected" without specifying who performed the action. Instead of "Samples were collected", specify "Researchers collected the samples" for a clearer and more direct sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were collected" functions as the passive voice of the verb "collect", indicating that an action was performed on a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to describe the gathering or amassing of items, data, or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

39%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were collected" is a versatile and frequently used passive voice construction, predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, as indicated by Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, it conveys the gathering of items or data. While interchangeable with alternatives like "were gathered" or "were compiled", clarity is key: specifying who or what performed the collection enhances the phrase's effectiveness. Using active voice can often result in a more direct and impactful sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been gathered

This alternative uses "had been gathered" to emphasize the completion of the gathering process before a specific point in time.

have been assembled

This suggests a more structured or organized gathering, implying a deliberate arrangement of the collected items.

had been compiled

Similar to "have been assembled" but more focused on gathering information.

were accumulated

Indicates a gradual increase in quantity through the process of collecting over time.

were obtained

Focuses on the act of acquiring or gaining possession of something, rather than the process of gathering.

were harvested

Implies collecting something that was grown or cultivated, usually in an agricultural context.

were retrieved

Suggests that the items were previously stored or lost and have now been recovered.

were brought together

Emphasizes the act of uniting or combining items that were previously separate.

were extracted

Implies a process of carefully removing or drawing something out from a larger source.

were rounded up

Suggests gathering things or people, sometimes quickly or forcefully.

FAQs

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

Use "were collected" to indicate that multiple items have been gathered together. For example, "The signatures "were collected" over several weeks."

What are some alternatives to saying "were collected"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "were gathered", "were assembled", or "were compiled".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "collect"?

While both are grammatically correct, active voice (e.g., "Researchers collected the data") is often clearer and more direct than passive voice (e.g., "Data "were collected"").

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

"Were collected" implies a specific act of gathering, while "were accumulated" suggests a gradual increase over time. For instance, "Data "were collected" during the experiment," but "Dust were accumulated over the years."