gather clues

USAGE SUMMARY

"gather clues" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of someone collecting information from which conclusions can be drawn. For example: The detective was instructed to gather clues so that they could determine who was responsible for the theft.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

We gather clues.

The New Yorker

Viewers will have a chance to gather clues from the show and online, and win $1 million.

The New York Times - Arts

Lamb gives his readers a wonderful feel for how geology works -- how geologists gather clues, test hypotheses and ultimately come to understand the workings of the world.

The New York Times - Books

From an early age, one is required to gather clues and artifacts in order to understand the clan and divine what customs to observe.

The New Yorker

A plant tour offers an opportunity to gather clues at each of these levels about how well the plant is being run.

Harvard Business Review

Environmental Detectives is played on a Pocket PC; students use GPS to gather clues in order to solve a science problem.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Driven and then possessed by the question of her guilt — and by extension, his own — he heads off on an investigation that, as he gathers clues, transforms into an inquiry into the burdens of moral responsibility, the costs of political neutrality (or perhaps complacency) and modern Palestinian identity.

The New York Times

Once the scene has played out, you are placed, momentarily, within a frozen diorama, free to walk around, examine and deduce who is present, how they met their end, and, by cross-referencing other gathered clues and identities, at whose hands.

The Guardian - Games

They'll tell the story of how anonymous, interconnected imageboard users gathered clues from public video footage, like passing aircraft and the position of stars, to geolocate the roving, anti-Trump art project He Will Not Divide Us, put on by actor Shia LaBeouf and his collaborators.

Vice

You control the famous detective as well as his loyal colleague, Dr Watson, as you gather the clues and witnesses necessary to solve this legendary case.

The Guardian - Tech

REPORTER AT LARGE about Red China from sources gathered in Hong Kong by professional China watchers who, through interviews, through collecting, reading and analyzing all official material are able to gather valuable clues to the conditions in mainland China.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a mystery or thriller, use "gather clues" to effectively convey the protagonist's investigative actions and progress.

Common error

Avoid using "gather clues" when the information is readily available or explicitly stated. The phrase implies a degree of difficulty and subtlety in the information-gathering process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather clues" functions as a verb phrase, where "gather" acts as the main verb indicating the action of collecting, and "clues" serves as the direct object, representing the information being collected. This is supported by Ludwig AI and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gather clues" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the process of collecting information to solve a mystery or understand a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears across various contexts, including news media, science, and encyclopedias, maintaining a generally neutral register. When using "gather clues", it's important to imply a subtle information-gathering process. Alternatives such as "collect evidence" or "assemble information" may be suitable depending on the context. The prevalence and consistent usage of "gather clues" underscore its value in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect evidence

Focuses specifically on tangible proof or information used in legal or investigative contexts.

investigate leads

Highlights the action of pursuing potential sources of information in an investigative process.

assemble information

Implies a more structured and organized approach to gathering data.

unearth facts

Suggests discovering hidden or previously unknown information.

accumulate data

Suggests a gradual and quantitative increase in information.

piece together the puzzle

Uses a metaphor to describe how small pieces of information completes the bigger picture.

glean insights

Emphasizes the extraction of deeper understanding from subtle or indirect sources.

acquire knowledge

Focuses on the broader process of gaining understanding through learning or experience.

seek intelligence

Often used in military or espionage contexts, referring to secret or strategic information.

draw conclusions

Shifts the focus from gathering to interpreting existing information.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather clues" to describe the process of collecting pieces of information to solve a problem or mystery. For instance: "Detectives must carefully "gather clues" at a crime scene to identify the perpetrator."

What can I say instead of "gather clues"?

Alternatives include "collect evidence", "assemble information", or "investigate leads", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "gather clues" in formal writing?

Yes, "gather clues" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing investigative processes in fields like science, journalism, or law. However, consider alternatives like "collect data" if a more technical term is needed.

What is the difference between "gather clues" and "find answers"?

"Gather clues" refers to the process of collecting information that may lead to a solution, while "find answers" implies a direct discovery of the solution itself. Clues are pieces of the puzzle, while answers are the completed picture.