address a gathering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "address a gathering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to speaking or delivering a message to a group of people assembled for a specific purpose. Example: "The mayor will address a gathering of community members to discuss the new development plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf is scheduled to address a gathering of religious scholars in Islamabad on Friday morning.

The New York Times

But he did address a gathering of family and friends in Queens after the State of the Union address.

The New York Times

It was late July, before the 2008 national Conventions, and Rendell and Bloomberg were aboard one of the Mayor's jets, flying from New Orleans to Minneapolis to address a gathering of the Independence Party of Minnesota.

The New Yorker

On Thursday, as Police Commissioner Ray Kelly prepared to address a gathering of concerned Staten Islanders on the East Shore, a group of ninjas in training at the Island Martial Arts Academy demonstrated considerably greater courtesy than their renegade cousin.

The New Yorker

On a recent drizzly autumn evening, the 81-year-old playwright and novelist was booked to address a gathering of people who had braved the weather to hear him speak about his new book, Matchbox Theatre.

The Guardian - Books

We see Cornell William Brooks, then the president of the N.A.A.C.P., stand at a lectern, wearing a suit, and address a gathering in the Chaifetz Arena, in St . Louis

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Pope Francis on Friday addressed a gathering of the United Nations General Assembly.

Independent

Consider the sonnet "Salut," which addresses a gathering of poets.

The New Yorker

In Marion he addressed a gathering of war veterans, devoting his remarks to war and arbitration.

The New York Times

Later in the afternoon, Obama addressed a gathering of U.S. business leaders and Cuban entrepreneurs.

The Washington Post

In August, as the rupee tumbled, he addressed a gathering of India's policymaking elite at his house in Delhi.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "address a gathering" to denote a planned speech or presentation to a group. It suggests a deliberate and organized communication.

Common error

Avoid using "address a gathering" in very informal settings. Phrases like "talk to the group" or "speak to everyone" might be more appropriate depending on the context and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "address a gathering" functions as a verb phrase where "address" is the verb and "a gathering" is the object. It indicates the action of speaking formally to a group. Ludwig AI confirms this is a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "address a gathering" is a commonly used phrase indicating the act of speaking formally to a group of people. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's best suited for describing planned speeches or presentations. For more informal situations, consider alternatives like "speak to the group" or "talk to everyone". When in doubt, remember that "address a gathering" suggests a deliberate and organized act of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speak to an audience

Replaces "gathering" with "audience", focusing on the listeners.

give a speech to a crowd

Uses more common terms like "speech" and "crowd".

make an address to attendees

Rephrases with "make an address" and "attendees".

lecture an assembly

Suggests a more formal educational setting.

present to a group

Implies a more formal presentation of information.

talk before a congregation

Specifically relates to speaking in a religious context.

deliver remarks to a meeting

More formal, uses "remarks" instead of a full speech.

brief a company

Suggests informing or updating a business group.

orates before a body

Uses more elevated and formal language.

communicate to a collective

Employs more abstract and general terminology.

FAQs

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

You can use "address a gathering" when someone is giving a speech or presentation to a group of people. For example, "The president will "address a gathering" of supporters tomorrow".

What's a more informal alternative to "address a gathering"?

For more informal situations, consider using phrases like "speak to the group", "talk to everyone", or "present to the team". These options are less formal than "address a gathering".

Which is correct, "address a gathering" or "address to a gathering"?

"Address a gathering" is the correct and standard phrasing. The preposition "to" is not needed in this context.

What does it mean to "address a gathering"?

To "address a gathering" means to deliver a speech or presentation to a group of people who have come together for a specific purpose. It implies a formal or semi-formal setting.