collect 、gather和 accumulate三个词都表示 "集中，归拢"，但两者在用法上有细微区别。这里用思维导图分列开三个词的用法区别，尤其是例句解释让你更清楚每个词的具体用法，达到词不离句地学习和分辨词汇，后面配有练习，让你以更准确地运用这些词。

1.gather[ˈgæðə(r)]“收集(物)；（人）聚集”既可用于人，也可用于物。常指把零散的人或物集中，聚拢。如：

The teacher gathered all the pupils in the auditorium.

老师把全体同学集合在礼堂内。

In the evenings, we gathered around the fireplace and talked.

晚上，我们聚在火炉边聊天。

The teacher went round the class to gather the papers.

老师在教室里走了一圈收试卷。

I waited while he gathered up his papers.

他整理文件时我就在一旁等待。

2.collect[kəˈlekt]“收集；收藏”一般只用于物，侧重指有选择或有一定计划将零散事物归拢。如：

to collect data/evidence/information

收集资料 / 证据 / 信息

I've started collecting stamps.

我已开始集邮。

He went round the office collecting old coffee cups.

他在办公室里转来转去，把用过的咖啡杯集中起来。

Two young girls were collecting firewood

两个小女孩正在拾柴火。

We're collecting signatures for a petition.

我们在为请愿书收集签名。

3.accumulate[əˈkju:mjəleɪt] 【gradually gather or acquire (a resulting whole)】意为“积累”（偏向于物质的积累），有“逐步、逐渐”（有过程）的含义。

Her goal was to accumulate a huge fortune.

她的目标是积累起一大笔财富。

I seem to have accumulated a lot of books.

我好像已经收集了很多书。

I hope I can learn more from him and accumulate more experience.

我希望我能从他那学会更多并积累更多经验。

A student should know how to make use of time and accumulate the knowledge.

一个学生应知道如何利用时间和积累知识。

练习：

1. _______around the fire, the tourists danced with the local people.

A. Gather B. To gather C. Gathering D. To be gathering

（相聚在火堆周围，游人跟当地人一起跳舞。所以选C）

2. Fishing is his favorite hobby, and _______.

A. he'd like to collect coins as well

B. he feels like collecting coins, too

C. to collect coins is also his hobby

D. collecting coins also gives him great pleasure

(钓鱼是他的爱好，收集硬币也给他带来快乐。所以选D)

3.______energy under the earth must be released in one form or another, for example, an earthquake.

A. Accumulated B. Gathered C. Assembled D. Collected

(地下积累的能量一定会被以一种或另一种方式释放出来……所以选择A)