gather back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gather back" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase indicates that something is being returned to its original location. For example, you could say: "The students gathered back in the classroom after their break."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Beyond the cloth and leather materials you'll gather back in the normal world, you will need to start gathering things like Divine Power, which is obtained by fighting and defeating the Balaur mobs in the Abyss.

WikiHow

"And when we gather back here in Tampa for our convention, ours will be a united party with a winning ticket for America," he added.

The New York Times

Ms. Carson lets the lines stand there naked: Evening you gather back all that dazzling dawn has put asunder: you gather a lamb gather a kid gather a child to its mother.

The New York Times - Books

As a crowd cheered his name here in the city where Republicans will gather to crown their nominee, he added: "When we gather back here in Tampa seven months from now for our convention, ours will be a united party with a winning ticket for America".

The New York Times

Can Gordon Brown lead the Labour party to election victory or will he lead us to defeat?" Byers went on: On Monday and Tuesday when we gather back in Westminster I'm sure Labour MPs will be considering what the future direction of the Labour Party should be and what the future of Gordon Brown should be.

The Guardian

That night we all gather back at the Salmon Lodge, windburned, sore and refreshed.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

She's also added new pieces like a sweatshirt-style top with a sheer, gathered back.

The New York Times

His long, dark hair was gathered back in a ponytail to reveal his freckled cheekbones, stark from underweight.

The New Yorker

Shortly before 4, about a half-dozen people gathered back at the Rockabus, shuffling along the Boardwalk and stopping occasionally to snap selfies.

The New York Times

Bring the information gathered back to the class and create a graph that shows the price comparison between fish and other meats.

The New York Times

When all four men gathered back together, they raised and held her as if in a satiric contemporary commentary on the Rose Adagio in "The Sleeping Beauty," a sequence in which four cavaliers support the heroine.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gather back" when you want to emphasize the act of returning to a specific place or state as a group or after a temporary dispersal. For example, "After the fire drill, the employees gathered back in the office".

Common error

Be mindful of using "gather back" when "gather" alone suffices. Sometimes, the context already implies a return, making "back" unnecessary and potentially redundant. For instance, instead of "Let's gather back after lunch", consider "Let's gather after lunch" if the gathering place is already understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather back" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of returning to a place or position as a group. It describes the act of reconvening or reassembling after a period of dispersal. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

27%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gather back" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of returning to a specific location or activity, as verified by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider context to avoid redundancy and choose more formal alternatives like "reconvene" or "reassemble" when appropriate. By considering the nuances of meaning and formality, writers can effectively use "gather back" to convey a sense of return and reunion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reconvene

Formal term suggesting a planned return to a meeting or assembly.

reassemble

Implies putting something back together or returning to a previous formation.

return

A general term indicating a movement back to a prior place or condition.

come back together

Emphasizes the act of joining again after being separated.

regroup

Suggests a strategic pause to reorganize before continuing.

converge again

Highlights the act of different entities meeting at a single point once more.

flock back

Implies a large group returning, often with a sense of urgency.

rally

Suggests a renewed effort or gathering of support.

muster

Indicates the act of collecting or assembling people or resources.

accumulate again

Refers to gathering something in increasing quantity after a period of reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "gather back" in a sentence?

You can use "gather back" to describe a group returning to a place or activity after a period of separation. For example: "The team will "gather back" at the hotel after the game".

What are some alternatives to "gather back"?

Alternatives to "gather back" include "reconvene", "reassemble", or "return", depending on the context.

Is "gather back" formal or informal?

"Gather back" is generally considered neutral to informal. More formal alternatives might include "reconvene" or "reassemble".

When should I use "gather back" instead of simply "gather"?

Use "gather back" when you want to emphasize the return to a specific place or activity. If the context already makes it clear they were previously in that place, then simply using "gather" will suffice.