can gather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can gather" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the ability to collect or assemble information, data, or items. Example: "With the right tools, we can gather all the necessary data for our research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Everyone can gather around.

The New York Times

You can gather manioc.

The New Yorker

From what I can gather.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And this is a little place where they can gather.

The New Yorker

He went on, "Technology can gather data a coach can't.

The New Yorker

"I can gather all of these materials and chemicals myself".

The New York Times

A tractor can gather the harvest better than children.

The Economist

And a nice guy, from what I can gather.

The New Yorker

JEFFREY TOOBIN: All good news, from what I can gather.

The New Yorker

From what I can gather, that is basically Houellebecq.

The Guardian

"Indonesia alone can gather evidence and convict the companies concerned".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can gather" when describing a group coming together in one location or virtual space. For example: "The fans can gather at the stadium for a viewing party."

Common error

Avoid using "can gather" in passive voice constructions. It's better to say "Researchers can gather the data" instead of "The data can be gathered by researchers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can gather" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing ability or possibility. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it denotes the capacity to collect data, information, resources, or assemble in a specific place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

27%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can gather" is a versatile expression indicating the ability or possibility to collect or assemble. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific research. It's crucial to avoid passive voice constructions and choose synonyms that align with the desired tone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, "can gather" is a useful idiom that writers should feel comfortable using to express capacity and potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are able to collect

Emphasizes the ability to collect, suggesting a capability or skill.

are capable of collecting

Emphasizes the capability to gather or collect.

can accumulate

Highlights a gradual increase or build-up over time.

can assemble

Focuses on bringing together different parts or elements into a whole.

can compile

Implies gathering information or data in an organized way.

can amass

Suggests gathering a large quantity or amount.

can harvest

Similar to "can gather", but implies a process over time.

can obtain

Focuses on the act of getting or acquiring something.

can retrieve

Suggests getting something back or recovering it.

can muster

Implies gathering something with effort, such as courage or support.

FAQs

How to use "can gather" in a sentence?

You can use "can gather" to indicate the ability to collect or assemble something, like information, resources, or people. For example: "We can gather more information by conducting further research" or "The community can gather at the park for the annual festival".

What can I say instead of "can gather"?

Alternatives to "can gather" include "are able to collect", "can assemble", or "can compile", depending on the specific context.

Is "can gather" formal or informal?

"Can gather" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What does "can gather" mean?

"Can gather" signifies the ability or possibility to collect, assemble, or accumulate something, whether it be tangible items, data, or people in a specific location.