gather evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"gather evidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to accumulate evidence to support a certain argument or conclusion. For example: "It was important to gather evidence to prove that the accused was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also helped gather evidence for the Nuremberg trials.

The New York Times

"Indonesia alone can gather evidence and convict the companies concerned".

The Guardian

Schreffler was there to gather evidence of sexual abuse.

The New Yorker

Today, FBI agents gather evidence for Mueller's team of lawyers.

The Washington Post

These include filming hunts, to gather evidence of illegal hunting.

The Economist

Six distinct methods that students used to gather evidence to decide if they learned were identified.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

It felt as if the efforts to gather evidence were completely slapdash.

The Guardian - Opinion

July 2007: Solicitors Bindman's begin to gather evidence from people who have accompanied relatives to Dignitas.

The Guardian

What evidence can be sought to gather evidence that good or outstanding is the norm?

The Guardian

A judge has given Napster permission to gather evidence from the record companies for its claims.

The New York Times

We carefully and thoroughly gather evidence and review it before initiating anything".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gather evidence" in legal or academic writing, be specific about the types of evidence you are referring to and the methods used to obtain it.

Common error

Avoid using "gather evidence" to suggest that conclusive proof has been found when the evidence is still circumstantial or incomplete. Clearly indicate the limitations of the evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather evidence" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of collecting and assembling facts, information, or data to support a claim, argument, or investigation. As Ludwig highlights, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gather evidence" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the action of accumulating facts or information to support a claim. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and widely applicable in written English. It finds frequent use in diverse contexts, primarily including "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" domains. While alternatives like "collect evidence" or "assemble evidence" exist, the choice often depends on the specific nuance and context. It's crucial to use the phrase accurately, avoiding overstatements about the strength of the evidence and specifying the type of evidence being gathered whenever possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect evidence

Emphasizes the act of accumulating evidence from various sources.

assemble evidence

Suggests a more organized and structured approach to evidence collection.

accumulate evidence

Highlights the gradual increase in the amount of evidence.

compile evidence

Implies the evidence is being organized into a report or presentation.

obtain evidence

Focuses on the act of acquiring or gaining possession of evidence.

secure evidence

Emphasizes the protection and preservation of evidence.

unearth evidence

Suggests discovering evidence that was previously hidden or unknown.

investigate

Refers to a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation, etc. so as to establish the truth.

find proof

Focuses on discovering conclusive evidence.

look for confirmation

Indicates a search for something that validates or verifies a claim.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather evidence" in sentences like "The police are working to "gather evidence" at the crime scene" or "Researchers "gather evidence" to support their hypothesis".

What are some alternatives to "gather evidence"?

Some alternatives to "gather evidence" include "collect evidence", "assemble evidence", and "accumulate evidence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "gather evidence" or "collect evidence"?

Both "gather evidence" and "collect evidence" are appropriate and often interchangeable. "Gather" might imply a more active search, while "collect" can suggest a more passive accumulation.

In what situations is it crucial to "gather evidence"?

It's crucial to "gather evidence" in legal cases, scientific research, journalism, and any situation where decisions need to be based on facts and reliable information.