gather confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gather confidence" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where someone is trying to build or accumulate confidence over time. Example: "After several successful presentations, I began to gather confidence in my public speaking abilities."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There is a feeling that Wilmots rested Lukaku to give him a chance to gather confidence.

The Guardian - Sport

But the people that do read this can instill it into their children to help them gather confidence, self-esteem and help program them to become winners.

HuffPost

In an attempt to gather confidence, the Treasury Secretary Cortelyou agreed that if he returned to Washington it would send a signal to Wall Street that the worst had passed.

Wikipedia

p-TAREF web-server provides scope for expression based evidence for predicted targets, providing confidence on prediction, besides SVR scoring system to gather confidence on identification.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This awkward kid suddenly gathered confidence when behind his keypad.

The New York Times

She practiced religiously, gathered confidence, was enthralled by her new adventure.

The New York Times

The Quintet in E flat for piano and winds, one of young Beethoven's earliest public successes, began rather daintily but then gathered confidence and heft.

The New York Times - Arts

He has tried everything — changed the preseason, changed the training regimen, gotten inside the heads of players who have served him most of his tenure — and still he is no wiser as to why the team starts slowly but then gathers self-confidence after the turn of the year.

The New York Times - Sports

"I would ask you the not hang or lynch the appointee as you castigate the appointer and separate the appointee from the appointer," said Rush. "Roland Burris is worthy and he is the only one who can stand in the gap during this time and gather the confidence, re-establishing confidence of the people of the state of Illinois".

Huffington Post

Now I'm assuming if you're reading this it is YOU who wants to be the most popular girl in school along with your friends so gather some confidence and have confidence in yourself!

WikiHow

Will you feel worn out and put out? Understanding your own needs and stressors will help you gather the confidence to say no.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "gather confidence" is understandable, consider using stronger and more common alternatives like "build confidence" or "gain confidence" for clearer and more impactful writing.

Common error

Avoid using "gather confidence" in highly formal contexts, such as academic papers or business reports, as it may sound slightly less polished than alternatives like "develop confidence" or "cultivate confidence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather confidence" functions as a verb phrase where "gather" is the verb, and "confidence" is the noun acting as the direct object. It describes the action of accumulating or building up confidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "gather confidence" is a less common way to express the idea of increasing self-assurance. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase can be used, it highlights that alternatives like "build confidence" or "gain confidence" are more conventional and often preferred. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to wikis and scientific articles, but it is generally considered to have a neutral to slightly informal register. When writing, consider whether a more common alternative would enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build confidence

Implies a gradual and intentional construction of confidence.

gain confidence

Suggests acquiring confidence as a result of experience or achievement.

develop confidence

Focuses on the process of growth and maturation of confidence.

acquire confidence

Highlights the act of obtaining or coming into possession of confidence.

cultivate confidence

Emphasizes the deliberate nurturing and fostering of confidence.

foster confidence

Suggests creating an environment that encourages the growth of confidence.

bolster confidence

Implies strengthening or reinforcing existing confidence.

muster confidence

Suggests summoning or calling upon one's existing reserves of confidence.

accumulate confidence

Focuses on the gradual addition and increase of confidence over time.

instill confidence

Implies imparting confidence in someone else.

FAQs

What does "gather confidence" mean?

The phrase "gather confidence" means to gradually accumulate or build up one's self-assurance and belief in one's abilities over time.

Is "gather confidence" grammatically correct?

While grammatically correct, "gather confidence" is less common than other similar phrases like "build confidence" or "gain confidence".

What are some alternatives to "gather confidence"?

Alternatives to "gather confidence" include "build confidence", "gain confidence", "develop confidence", and "acquire confidence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "gather confidence" instead of "gain confidence"?

While both are similar, "gather confidence" can imply a more gradual and less direct process of accumulation compared to "gain confidence", which suggests a more immediate acquisition. However, "gain confidence" is generally the preferred choice due to its common usage.