collate

/kəˈleɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈleɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈlāt kä-, kō-; ˈkä-ˌlāt, ˈkō-/ (ame, mw)

collate — verb

  • collatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • collateshe / she / it
  • collatedpast simple
  • collating-ing form

1. to gather facts, figures, or written material from several sources and study the

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to gather facts, figures, or written material from several sources and study them side by side, so that patterns, matches, or differences become clear.

例句

Ada spent the weekend collating survey responses from twelve different schools.

collate + noun (data drawn from multiple sources)

The researchers collated weather records from the past century to track rainfall changes.

collate + noun: research context with comparable records

同義詞
  • compile

    broader: gathering items into one list or report, without the strong comparison aspect

  • cross-reference

    narrower: explicitly checking one record against another for matching points

  • compare

    more general: any side-by-side examination, not limited to written sources

反義詞
  • scatter

    informal opposite: spreading information apart instead of bringing it together

文法句型

collate + noun

collate + noun + with + noun

用法筆記

Subject is usually a researcher, analyst, or institution; object is usually a body of records, data, or testimony that exists in more than one place. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about physically arranging pages, not comparing content.

常見錯誤

❌I collated my keys and wallet before leaving.
✅I gathered my keys and wallet before leaving.
💡'collate' is only for written information or data, not everyday objects.
❌She collated the news with her friend.
✅She shared the news with her friend.
💡'collate' is not used for spoken conversation; it needs source documents or data.

2. to put loose sheets, copies, or printed pages into the right order, usually as p

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to put loose sheets, copies, or printed pages into the right order, usually as part of producing a report, booklet, or set of documents.

例句

Lien collated the printed handouts so each student got a complete set.

collate + noun: classroom or office printing task

The intern spent an hour collating the chapters of the training manual.

collate + noun: ordering pages of a longer document

同義詞
  • assemble

    broader: putting any parts together, not only pages

  • order

    more general: arranging anything into a sequence

  • sort

    less specific: grouping items, without the in-correct-order nuance

反義詞
  • shuffle

    informal opposite: deliberately mixing pages out of order

文法句型

collate + noun (sheets/copies/pages)

用法筆記

Object is always physical pages or printed copies — never abstract information. Often heard in offices and printing contexts: most photocopiers and printers have a 'collate' setting. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about comparing the content of records, not ordering paper.

常見錯誤

❌She collated the email into one document.
✅She combined the emails into one document.
💡'collate' for sense 2 needs physical sheets or printed pages, not on-screen text.
❌He collated the books on the shelf.
✅He arranged the books on the shelf.
💡'collate' is about pages within a document, not separate finished books.