"A large crowd used to collect / gather to listen to his speech."

[Tan Elaine]

"A large crowd used to collect / gather to listen to his speech."

Which word should I use?

Thanks.

 

[bhaisahab]

"A large crowd used to collect / gather to listen to his speech."

Which word should I use?

Thanks.

I'd use "gather". It would be better with "speeches", "used to" suggests a habitual action in the past. If you want to use the singular "speech", use the simple past: "A large crowd gathered..."