cluster together

USAGE SUMMARY

"cluster together" is a proper English expression and is often used in written English.
For example: "As the sun set, the clouds began to cluster together ominously."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sea urchins cluster together, spines shining.

The New Yorker

The ducks and geese always cluster together.

The New York Times

International students often cluster together at particular - unexpected - universities.

The Guardian

As can be observed, glycine containing samples cluster together.

Nature

One of the things that's going to happen is already happening: Sunnis are going to cluster together, Christians will cluster together, and Kurds will cluster together.

University of Pennsylvania

The newly recrystallized grains were found to cluster together.

Acta Materialia

Usually these morbidities cluster together in a single patient.

Seminars in Pediatric Neurology

They cluster together because they feed off each other's intellect.

The Economist

Car dealerships and outlet malls cluster together, as though desperate for company.

The New Yorker

If it is too cold, they cluster together to generate warmth.

The New York Times - Science

Now, the few Communist holdouts cluster together on one side of the main road.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial relationships or distributions, use "cluster together" to indicate non-random groupings. For example, "The stars cluster together in galaxies."

Common error

While "cluster together" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary vocabulary by using synonyms like "congregate", "group", or "assemble", especially in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cluster together" primarily functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of forming a group or gathering closely. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a proper English expression commonly used in various contexts, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cluster together" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase that describes the action of forming a group or gathering closely. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears across diverse contexts, particularly within science, news, and academia. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potential overuse and consider synonyms such as "group together" or "congregate together" for stylistic variation. The usage analysis reveals its prevalent use in neutral to formal registers, emphasizing spatial or conceptual relationships where entities form groups. Its communicative purpose centers on conveying patterns and distributions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather in a group

This alternative replaces the more general "cluster" with the explicit action of "gather", clarifying the act of forming a group.

congregate together

Using "congregate" adds a sense of purpose or intentionality to the gathering, suggesting a planned or deliberate assembly.

group closely

This alternative emphasizes the proximity within the group, highlighting the compactness of the formation.

flock together

Borrowing from animal behavior, "flock" implies a herding instinct or a shared sense of direction among those gathering.

huddle together

"Huddle" suggests a closer, more intimate gathering, often for warmth, protection, or secrecy.

mass together

"Mass" conveys a sense of large numbers gathering, emphasizing the scale of the assembly.

band together

"Band" implies a common purpose or shared identity among those gathering, suggesting a united front.

collect in one place

This alternative provides a more descriptive and less figurative way of expressing the same concept.

assemble as a unit

Using "assemble" and "unit" gives a more organized or structured feel to the gathering, suggesting a deliberate arrangement.

converge at a point

"Converge" emphasizes the movement towards a central location, highlighting the coming-together aspect of the gathering.

FAQs

How can I use "cluster together" in a sentence?

You can use "cluster together" to describe objects or people forming a group or gathering closely. For example, "The students "cluster together" before class" or "The data points "cluster together" on the graph".

What are some alternatives to "cluster together"?

Alternatives include "group together", "gather in a group", or "congregate together", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "cluster together"? Does "cluster" already imply togetherness?

While "cluster" does imply a grouping, "cluster together" emphasizes the act of forming a group. The phrase isn't strictly redundant, but consider whether "cluster" alone suffices for conciseness.

Which is more appropriate: "cluster" or "cluster together" in scientific writing?

Both "cluster" and "cluster together" are acceptable in scientific writing. "Cluster" may be preferred for brevity when the context clearly indicates grouping, while "cluster together" can emphasize the process of grouping.