a gathering of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a gathering of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an assembly or meeting of people for a specific purpose or event. Example: "The community organized a gathering of local artists to showcase their work and foster collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A gathering of boxing writers huddled around Golovkin, who was seated at a small folding table.

The New Yorker

It's a gathering of the tribes".

The New York Times - Arts

A gathering of family and friends will be held later.

The New York Times

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPH of a gathering of India's leading novelists.

The New Yorker

A club is a gathering of people, not a building.

The New York Times

It's a gathering of our more generous donors".

The New York Times

A gathering of friends will be held later.

The New York Times

He gestures around at a gathering of tiny broken huts.

The Guardian

It was a gathering of unusual diversity and power.

The New York Times - Magazine

"So what?" Netanyahu told a gathering of supporters last December.

The New Yorker

A gathering of dog owners and their pets.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a gathering of" to describe intentional assemblies or meetings, emphasizing the purpose or nature of the group. For instance, "a gathering of experts" suggests a knowledgeable group meeting for a specific reason.

Common error

Avoid using "a gathering of" in highly formal writing where more precise terms like "conference", "symposium", or "assembly" might be more appropriate. "A gathering of shareholders", for example, is better phrased as "a shareholders' meeting" in a formal report.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gathering of" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig explains, it describes an assembly or meeting of people for a specific purpose or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

21%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a gathering of" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a group or collection of people or things assembled for a specific purpose. Ludwig highlights its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While it is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain settings. With frequent appearances in News & Media and Wiki sources, this phrase effectively conveys the idea of a group coming together, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an assembly of

Emphasizes a more formal or organized collection of people or things.

a meeting of

Suggests a planned or purposeful coming together for discussion or activity.

a collection of

Highlights the act of bringing things or people together into one place or group.

a congregation of

Implies a gathering, often with religious or spiritual connotations.

a convocation of

Suggests a formal assembly, often in academic or ecclesiastical contexts.

a group of

A general term for a collection of individuals or items.

a crowd of

Indicates a large, often unorganized, gathering of people.

a cluster of

Suggests a tightly packed group of similar items or entities.

a host of

Implies a large number or multitude, often used for abstract nouns.

a multitude of

Similar to "a host of", indicating a very large number or quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a gathering of" in a sentence?

Use "a gathering of" to describe a group of people or things coming together. For example, "The event was "a gathering of supporters"" or "The museum displayed "a gathering of artifacts"".

What are some alternatives to "a gathering of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an assembly of", "a meeting of", or "a collection of".

Is it more appropriate to say "a gathering of people" or "a group of people"?

While both are correct, "a gathering of people" often implies a specific event or purpose bringing them together, whereas "a group of people" is a more general term for any collection of individuals.

Can "a gathering of" be used for abstract concepts?

While less common, "a gathering of" can metaphorically describe abstract concepts coming together. For example, one might say, "The theory represents "a gathering of ideas"" although it's more typical to use it for concrete entities.