3 syllables: col, lect, ing. Stress on lect.
kuh-LEK-ting
/kəˈlɛktɪŋ/
collecting is pronounced kuh-LEK-ting (/kəˈlɛktɪŋ/). It has three syllables (col-lect-ing), with the stress on "lect". Collecting refers to gathering items or data, typically with a deliberate, organized approach. It can describe the act of hoarding, cataloging, or amassing objects, specimens, or information. In practice, collecting implies ongoing effort, categorization, and a purpose-driven motive behind the accumulation.
Collecting refers to gathering items or data, typically with a deliberate, organized approach. It can describe the act of hoarding, cataloging, or amassing objects, specimens, or information. In practice, collecting implies ongoing effort, categorization, and a purpose-driven motive behind the accumulation.
"She is collecting rare stamps from around the world for her museum collection."
"Researchers are collecting data over a two-year period to analyze trends."
"The hobby involves collecting vintage comic books and keeping meticulous records."
Say /kə-ˈlɛk.tɪŋ/. The stress is on the second syllable: kə-LEKT-ing. Start with a schwa in the first syllable, then a clear /ˈlɛk/ with the /l/ and /ɛ/ as in 'let', followed by a clear /t/ before the 'ing'. End with /ɪŋ/. Think: kuh-LEK-ting. If you picture the mouth, the tongue reaches the alveolar ridge for the /t/, the lips stay relaxed, and the vowel in the second syllable is a short e as in 'bed'. Audio aid can help: listen to phrases like “collecting data” and mimic the rhythm.
Common errors: 1) stressing the first syllable as COL-lect-ing instead of col-LEC-ting; 2) blending /kəˈlɛkt/ with a long /e/ or mispronouncing /t/ as a d or a soft tap; 3) misplacing the /t/ so it sounds like /d/ or disappears in fluent speech. Correction tips: keep /ˈlɛk/ crisp with a proper alveolar stop for /t/, practice saying ‘collect’ slowly to anchor the /k/ and /l/ sequence, and then add /ɪŋ/ without turning the /t/ into a soft sound. Listening and shadowing native clips helps enforce the stop.
In US, the /ɪ/ in -ing is often clearer and the /t/ is a crisp alveolar stop before /ɪŋ/. UK tends to a slightly more rounded vowel in the first syllable and may soften /t/ or use a glottal stop in rapid speech in informal contexts; AU tends toward a fronted vowel in /ɛ/ and a very light or elided /t/ in casual speech. Across all: the main feature is stress on the second syllable, but vowel quality and the t-closure can vary with rhythm and formality.
Two main challenges: the mid-second syllable /ˈlɛk/ requires a crisp /t/ release before the suffix -ing, which some speakers soften or blend; and maintaining steady vowel quality across rapid speech so the /ɪŋ/ at the end doesn’t reduce. Also, the sequence /k/–/l/ can be tricky if your tongue anticipates the /l/ before fully articulating the /k/. Practice with slow tempo, then accelerate while keeping the /t/ clear and the final /ŋ/ solid.
A unique feature is the consonant cluster transition from /k/ to /l/ to /t/ before the -ing suffix. Your tongue must switch quickly from the velar /k/ to the alveolar /l/, then to the alveolar /t/ before /ɪŋ/. This triad can blur in fluent speech if you don’t anchor the tongue positions briefly. Practice by isolating the sequence: k + l + t with careful timing, then attach -ɪŋ.
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The word collecting comes from the verb collect, which derives from the Latin collectus, past participle of colligere, meaning to gather together. Colligere itself combines com- (together) and lacere, a root related to la-, meaning to gather or collect. In Latin, collectus signified a gathering or compiling, often used in contexts like collecting taxes or assembling a group. The English verb collect emerged in the 15th century, with senses expanding from “to gather” to include more specific activities such as collecting data, information, or objects. Over time, the present participle collecting appeared to describe ongoing processes, projects, and hobbies, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries when cataloging and natural history become prominent. In modern usage, collecting commonly refers to the act of amassing items or data with an organized methodology, sometimes implying a formal hobby, professional practice, or archival work. The gerund form is widely used to denote the activity itself, as in collecting stamps, collecting specimens, or collecting signatures. The evolution reflects broader shifts in knowledge management and hobbyist pursuit, from simple gathering to systematic classification and analysis. First known use is tied to early English attestations of collect in the sense of gathering, with collecting attested in the sense of ongoing activity in later historical stages.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "collecting" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "collecting" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "collecting"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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