end up gathering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "end up gathering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone ultimately collects or accumulates something after a series of events or actions. Example: "After a long day of exploring the city, we ended up gathering a lot of interesting souvenirs from various shops."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The evaluation results then end up gathering dust.

The Guardian

Dr. Satcher said he hoped the report would not end up gathering dust.

The New York Times

We roamed from store to store, looking for something that would neither bankrupt us nor end up gathering dust on the back of a shelf two weeks after Christmas.

The Economist

Ministers have set up the Carter review of initial teacher training – but my experience of reviews set up in parliament, and published in the next, is that they end up gathering dust on a shelf.

The Guardian

With the village finalizing a long-term plan for the harbor, he added, "our goal will be to improve Harbor Island and make sure that master plan just doesn't end up gathering dust on some shelf".

The New York Times

"Usually they just end up gathering dust in a closet," said Davia Downey, 31, a doctoral student from Traverse City, Mich., who was married last May and has her dress for sale on eBay.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Usually 220 pages of fine print, it quickly ended up gathering dust on various backroom shelves.

The New York Times

Consumer electronics devices often make the rounds among friends before ending up gathering dust.

The New York Times

They ended up gathering thousands of animals from which they extracted DNA.

The New York Times - Science

Which is why I ended up gathering gastropods on a French country lane.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That monastery, St .Bernard de Clairvaux, ended up gathering dust in a warehouse in Brooklyn because of Hearst's declining fortune.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "end up gathering" when you want to emphasize the eventual or unexpected nature of collecting something. For example, "We didn't plan to buy so much, but we ended up gathering quite a few souvenirs."

Common error

While "end up gathering" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "accumulate", "compile", or "acquire" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "end up gathering" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the result or consequence of a series of actions or events that lead to the accumulation of something. This is supported by Ludwig, where it can be seen in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "end up gathering" is a verb phrase used to describe the eventual collection of something, often unexpectedly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more formal synonyms like "accumulate" or "compile" in professional writing. The examples confirm this is a valid way to describe an action, with the neutral register being frequently used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end up accumulating

Replaces "gathering" with a more formal synonym, "accumulating".

wind up collecting

Uses "wind up" as a substitute for "end up", implying a less direct path to collecting.

end up compiling

Suggests a more organized and deliberate form of gathering.

find oneself collecting

Emphasizes the accidental or unexpected nature of gathering.

end up amassing

Implies gathering a large quantity of something.

end up acquiring

Focuses on the gaining or obtaining aspect of gathering.

ultimately collect

Highlights the final result of the collecting process.

finally assemble

Indicates that elements are put together after they were collected.

in conclusion, gather

Emphasizes the action of collecting after a series of events.

eventually accrue

Suggests a gradual and incremental gathering over time.

FAQs

How can I use "end up gathering" in a sentence?

You can use "end up gathering" to describe the eventual collection of items or information. For example, "After attending several conferences, I "ended up gathering" a wealth of new insights."

What are some alternatives to "end up gathering"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "end up collecting", "end up compiling", or "end up accumulating".

Is it correct to say "ends up gathering" instead of "end up gathering"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "ends up gathering" when the subject is singular (e.g., "He ends up gathering"), and "end up gathering" when the subject is plural (e.g., "They end up gathering").

What's the difference between "end up gathering" and "start gathering"?

"Start gathering" implies the beginning of a collection process, while "end up gathering" suggests the culmination or unexpected result of that process.