how do you combine a like term

I dont really know how to explain it but here's an example:

5x + 7x + 2 - 2x + 7 + x

(This is how I do it) I first do combine x's because the first term is 5x

5x + 7x - 2x + x

11x

11x + 2 + 7

Then i combine 2 + 7

9

11x + 9