What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
collected
Example
She remained collected and composed during the stressful meeting. [collected: adjective]
Example
He collected all the necessary documents for the presentation. [collected: past tense]
gathered
Example
The family gathered around the table for dinner. [gathered: past tense]
Example
She gathered all the necessary materials for the project. [gathered: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gathered is more commonly used than collected in everyday language. Gathered is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while collected is less common and tends to be used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between collected and gathered?
While collected is typically associated with a more formal tone, gathered can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
