could not gather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not gather" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an inability to collect or assemble information, items, or people. Example: "Despite our efforts, we could not gather enough data to support our hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Harvey could not gather himself after that.

The New York Times - Sports

Shortstop Brendan Ryan could not gather Stewart's throw, and both runners were safe.

The New York Times - Sports

Thus unsettled, he could not gather sufficient momentum to consistently worry Ferrer.

The Guardian - Sport

Building psychographic profiles on a national scale required data the company could not gather without huge expense.

The New York Times

At the time, Diplomats' president Steve Danzansky confirmed he could not gather enough money to keep the team alive.

The Guardian - Sport

And Mr. McConnell could not gather the two-thirds majority in the Senate necessary to override a presidential veto.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Others couldn't gather memories blown away by an explosion.

The New York Times - Travel

A half-off sale at Best Buy couldn't gather this many D.J.s in one space.

The New York Times - Arts

"Unfortunately we couldn't gather any hickory nuts, because the squirrels got to them".

The New York Times

And I couldn't gather up the courage to talk to him about the situation.

The New York Times

Loomis couldn't gather into his mind how they'd got here.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not gather", ensure the context clearly indicates what could not be collected or assembled. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "could not gather" in situations where a simpler phrase like "didn't get" or "didn't find" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not gather" functions as a negative verb phrase, expressing the inability to perform the action of gathering. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is used to indicate a lack of success in collecting or assembling something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

25%

Sport

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not gather" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express the inability to collect or assemble something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, from formal writing to news reports. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Sport contexts. While alternatives like "could not collect" and "could not obtain" exist, "could not gather" provides a clear and effective way to convey a lack of success in bringing things together.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were unable to gather

A more formal way of expressing the same inability to collect or assemble.

could not collect

Focuses specifically on the act of collecting, often implying a systematic gathering of items or data.

didn't manage to gather

Highlights the failure to successfully complete the action of gathering.

could not amass

Emphasizes accumulating a large quantity of something, suggesting a challenge in reaching a significant amount.

failed to collect

Directly states the lack of success in the attempt to collect.

could not obtain

Highlights the failure to acquire or secure something, often implying a more formal or difficult process.

could not secure

Focuses on ensuring something is safely acquired or guaranteed, often in competitive or uncertain situations.

could not assemble

Implies difficulty in bringing together various components or people to form a unified whole.

could not muster

Highlights an inability to summon or gather enough of something, often referring to courage, energy, or support.

could not accumulate

Stresses the failure to gradually increase or build up something over time.

FAQs

What does "could not gather" mean?

The phrase "could not gather" means being unable to collect, assemble, or obtain something, whether it's information, objects, or support. It indicates a failure to bring things together or acquire them.

How can I use "could not gather" in a sentence?

You can use "could not gather" to express an inability to collect something. For example: "The police "could not gather" enough evidence to make an arrest" or "We "could not gather" enough signatures to get the petition approved."

What can I say instead of "could not gather"?

Alternatives to "could not gather" include "could not collect", "could not obtain", or "were unable to gather", depending on the context. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the inability to acquire something.

Is it better to use "could not gather" or "couldn't gather"?

Both "could not gather" and "couldn't gather" are grammatically correct. "Could not gather" is more formal, while "couldn't gather" is a contraction and sounds more conversational. The choice depends on the tone and register of your writing.