What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
set
Example
She received a set of books as a gift. [set: noun]
Example
The rules are set and cannot be changed. [set: adjective]
Example
We are part of a set of volunteers who help at the animal shelter. [set: noun]
collection
Example
He has a collection of stamps from all over the world. [collection: noun]
Example
The museum has a collection of ancient artifacts. [collection: noun]
Example
She enjoys collecting vintage postcards. [collecting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Collection is more commonly used than set in everyday language. Collection is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while set is more limited in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between set and collection?
Both set and collection can be used in formal and informal contexts, but set is generally considered more formal than collection due to its association with mathematical and scientific terminology.
