gather intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'gather intelligence' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of obtaining information on a certain topic or issue. For example: The FBI has been working to gather intelligence on the political group's activities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They will gather intelligence.

The New York Times

The government also uses online activity to gather intelligence.

The Economist

Such information can be useful to help gather intelligence.

The New York Times

Police departments routinely gather intelligence in advance of demonstrations.

The New York Times

"The best way to fight terrorism is to gather intelligence.

The New York Times

It was designed to gather intelligence for the President.

The New Yorker

Johnson said monitoring such sites helped police to gather intelligence.

The Guardian

German authorities gather intelligence and statistics on extremists and the crimes they commit.

The New York Times

The Viet Minh agreed to gather intelligence, sabotage railroads and rescue downed American airmen.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

My administration will not talk about how we gather intelligence, if we gather intelligence and what the intelligence says.

The New York Times

Health care organisations (HCOs) will need to gather 'intelligence' related to diagnostic safety through multiple retrospective and prospective surveillance methods to inform good measures and solutions.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gather intelligence", be specific about the type of information being collected and the purpose for which it will be used. For example, specify if you are "gathering competitive intelligence", "gathering criminal intelligence", or "gathering market intelligence".

Common error

Avoid using "gather intelligence" when simpler terms like "collect information" or "find out" would suffice. The phrase carries a connotation of strategic or secretive information gathering and should be used accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather intelligence" functions primarily as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it describes the action of collecting information, often in a strategic or investigative context, as evidenced by numerous examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gather intelligence" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that describes the act of collecting information for strategic purposes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various domains. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose simpler alternatives when appropriate. Predominantly found in news and media, its usage conveys a sense of strategic or investigative information gathering.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop intelligence

Highlights the process of refining raw data into actionable insights.

collect information

Focuses on the act of amassing data, without explicitly stating its use for strategic decision-making.

obtain data

Emphasizes the acquisition of facts and statistics, often in a more technical or scientific context.

acquire information

Similar to "obtain data", but can also refer to gaining knowledge or insight.

procure information

Highlights the effort or process involved in obtaining information, often suggesting a formal or official context.

compile information

Focuses on assembling information from multiple sources into a structured format.

glean information

Suggests collecting information gradually, often from indirect or subtle sources.

source data

Indicates finding the origin or provider of particular details.

conduct reconnaissance

Specifically refers to exploring or surveying an area to gain information, often in a military or strategic context.

monitor activity

Implies tracking specific activity of interest as source of information.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather intelligence" to describe the act of collecting information for a specific purpose, such as "The detective was sent to "gather intelligence" about the suspect's whereabouts" or "The company hired a consultant to "gather intelligence" on their competitors' pricing strategies".

What are some alternatives to "gather intelligence"?

Alternatives to "gather intelligence" include "collect information", "obtain data", "acquire information", or "compile information", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "gather intelligence" instead of "collect data"?

"Gather intelligence" is best used when referring to the collection of information that is strategic or sensitive in nature, often involving an element of investigation or analysis. "Collect data", on the other hand, is a more general term for gathering information, regardless of its strategic value.

Is "gather intelligence" formal or informal?

"Gather intelligence" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase. It is appropriate for use in professional, academic, and news-related contexts. It may sound overly formal in casual conversation.