gather branches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gather branches" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the action of collecting or picking up branches, often in the context of outdoor activities like camping or gardening. Example: "We need to gather branches for the campfire before it gets dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Gather branches.

WikiHow

Gather branches and/or logs of oak, ash, or bushes that grow fruit.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Vilhauer gathered branches and pine needles to make a bed for the night, so he could try to retrace his steps in the morning.

Los Angeles Times

The inhabitants of the Rhineland had for generations been allowed to gather fallen branches for firewood, but now - in an assault on tradition that reminds one of the enclosures - they were told that this scavenging for elementary livelihood would become a crime against private property.

The Guardian - Books

Begin to gather large branches.

WikiHow

Gather small branches, (depending on what kind of wood is available).

WikiHow

A Brit. Laura Spinney is a science journalist and novelist One morning this January, hundreds of people gathered outside branches of Boots, the chemists, to wolf down bottles of pills they had bought in the stores.

The Guardian

Still, he added, he would rather be outside taking in the solitude of the river, watching the snowflakes gather on the branches.

The New York Times

"They worked on shifts," said Mr. Korie, referring to the late-night hours during which gays could safely gather at certain branches of Childs and Horn & Hardart, two major restaurant chains.

The New York Times

Gather a good branch of hardwood; this should be off a live tree.

WikiHow

Therefore, a hierarchical tree with two main branches was obtained: the first branch gathered all metastatic samples, and the second branch contained all primary tumors but one.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gather branches" in writing, consider the context. If you're referring to collecting fallen branches for a campfire, it's appropriate. If you mean cutting branches from a living tree, a more specific phrase like "cut branches" might be better.

Common error

Avoid using "gather branches" when the action involves cutting or significantly altering the branches. "Gather" implies collecting what is already available, not modifying it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather branches" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "gather" is the action verb and "branches" is the direct object. The phrase describes the action of collecting branches. This is supported by Ludwig's examples where the phrase is used to describe the act of collecting branches for various purposes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gather branches" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe the act of collecting branches. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is mainly found within Wiki, News & Media and Scientific contexts, but its overall frequency is rare. When using the phrase, it is important to consider the specific intention to ensure that it accurately reflects the action being described, differentiating it from activities such as "cutting" or "trimming" branches. Alternatives like "collect branches" or "pick up branches" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect branches

Replaces "gather" with "collect", emphasizing a more organized or deliberate action of obtaining branches.

pick up branches

Suggests a simpler action of lifting branches, often implying they are already detached.

accumulate branches

Implies a gradual gathering of branches over time, focusing on the resulting quantity.

round up branches

Indicates gathering branches from various locations into a single area.

assemble branches

Emphasizes bringing branches together for a specific purpose, like building something.

procure branches

Formal term suggesting obtaining branches through effort or a specific process.

harvest branches

Suggests gathering branches as part of a planned process, like from a managed forest.

glean branches

Implies collecting leftover or scattered branches, often after a main harvesting activity.

amass branches

Highlights the build up of a large quantity of branches.

find branches

Suggests discovering branches rather than actively seeking them out.

FAQs

What does "gather branches" mean?

"Gather branches" means to collect or bring together branches, usually fallen or detached ones, for a specific purpose such as building a fire or constructing a shelter.

What can I say instead of "gather branches"?

You can use alternatives like "collect branches", "pick up branches", or "find branches" depending on the context.

Is "gather branches" the same as "collect branches"?

While similar, "gather" can imply a more casual or less organized collection than "collect". However, in most contexts, they are interchangeable.

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

Here's an example: "We need to gather branches before nightfall to build a proper campfire."