I was wondering what the actual difference between these two expressions is, since I recently read about "collecting mushrooms" but also about "gathering berries". Is there even any?
Learn English – the difference in meaning and usage between “gather” and “collect”
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Best Answer
There is a large overlap for the usual senses (avoiding say the sense 'I gather you're going out with Jim). But not, as is ever the situation, a complete overlap.
I'd say that 'collect' has more of an 'into a nice, complete, well-arranged set' connotation, from the noun 'collection' which is often used for stamps, tea-cards, postcards, teapots ...
'Gather' has more the 'into a pile in a basket' flavour. I'd use it for both berries and mushrooms (unless I were collecting specimens).