collect/gather information

[pinkie9]

Ms. A is an office worker and her job includes answering the phone, receiving requests for provision of samples, and collecting (gathering?) information from the caller about the purpose of the requests, the requested amount of the samples, etc.

In this case, are "collecting" and "gathering" interchangeable? Are there any differences?

Thank you in advance.

 

[SoothingDave]

Gather | Define Gather at Dictionary.com

I would prefer "collect." "Gather" to me seems more like you go out and get the information, rather than being still and having the information given to you.

See the notes under "synonyms" in the dictionary for their idea that "collect" implies a "purposeful accumulation to form an ordered whole."

 

[shur2gal]

As a tip for the future, always try to pick the verb that fits the best. While collect and gather could both work in that sentence, collect works best for the reasons the above user has suggested. I hope this helps with other sentences like this for you

 

[emsr2d2]

I might use "elicit information" if Mrs A has to ask questions of the caller in order to get them to provide it.

 

[5jj]

As a tip for the future, always try to pick the verb that fits the best.

Many learners cannot decide which verb fits best. That's why they ask us.