I gather that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I gather that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are coming to an understanding or conclusion based on a limited amount of information. For example, you could say "I gather that the lecture is cancelled due to the rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I gather that £500m of cuts are sought from universities.

The Guardian - Business

I gather that Barclays rejected more creative signage proposed by Pentagram, the design firm.

The New York Times - Arts

I gather that improvisation is not encouraged on the Mad Men set.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

By dispensing with an interval, although I gather that changed for the West End transfer, Doran made the play an event of mounting, rather than dwindling, theatrical excitement.

The Guardian

"I know he played for England at schoolboy level, but I gather that qualification depended on the location of your school.

The Guardian - Sport

I gather that MySpace has just two people internationally on mobile.

TechCrunch

Finally, I gather that Ranger has been spending quite a bit of time in the U.S. lately, possibly regarding partnerships and a bigger push States-side.

TechCrunch

I've not seen "Coming Home" by Zhang Yimou, China's greatest filmmaker, but I gather that Gong Li is tremendous.

Huffington Post

I gather that you're both fathers.

The Guardian - Music

I gather that people frequently assume you're a lesbian.

The New York Times - Magazine

(I gather that Mr. McAnuff follows a similarly flashy path).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "I understand that" or "I infer that" for variety in your writing, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "I gather that" repeatedly in a short piece of writing. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "I understand that" or "It appears that" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I gather that" functions as a hedge or disclaimer, softening the assertion that follows. As indicated by Ludwig, it presents information as an understanding or conclusion derived from available evidence, rather than a definitive statement of fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I gather that" is a versatile phrase used to indicate an understanding or conclusion based on available information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While synonyms like "I understand that" and "I infer that" offer alternatives, "I gather that" provides a nuanced way to present information with a degree of tentativeness. Keep in mind to vary phrasing and avoid overusing "I gather that" in your writing for better reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I understand that

Emphasizes comprehension and acknowledgement of information.

I infer that

Highlights the process of drawing a conclusion from evidence.

I presume that

Suggests an assumption based on probability.

I surmise that

Indicates a guess or conjecture based on incomplete information.

I conclude that

Highlights the end result of a reasoning process.

I deduce that

Implies a logical derivation from known facts.

I believe that

Expresses a personal opinion or conviction.

I reckon that

Suggests an informal assessment or estimation.

It seems to me that

Indicates a personal impression or observation.

From what I can tell

Expresses an understanding based on limited or indirect information.

FAQs

What's the difference between "I gather that" and "I understand that"?

"I gather that" implies you've pieced together information from various sources, whereas "I understand that" suggests a clearer, more direct conveyance of information.

When is it appropriate to use "I gather that" in writing?

Use "I gather that" when you want to indicate that your understanding is based on incomplete or indirect information. It's suitable for expressing a tentative conclusion.

Are there more formal alternatives to "I gather that"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "I infer that", "I deduce that", or "I presume that", which might be more appropriate for academic or professional contexts.

How can I use "I gather that" in a sentence?

You can use "I gather that" to introduce an idea or understanding you've formed from available information. For example: "I gather that the meeting has been postponed."