What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
collate
Example
Please collate all the reports and arrange them in chronological order. [collate: verb]
Example
The librarian spent hours collating the books on the shelves according to their genres. [collating: gerund or present participle]
organize
Example
Let's organize the files alphabetically to make it easier to find what we need. [organize: verb]
Example
She is good at organizing her schedule to balance work and personal life. [organizing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Organize is more commonly used than collate in everyday language. Organize is a versatile word that can be applied to various contexts and situations, while collate is more specialized and commonly used in specific professional or academic settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between collate and organize?
While collate is associated with a more technical or specialized tone, organize is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.