gather material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gather material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of collecting information, resources, or items for a specific purpose, such as research or preparation. Example: "Before starting the project, I need to gather material on the topic to ensure I have a solid understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He began to gather material for one.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bornstein spent five years traveling around the world to gather material for the book.

The New York Times

You begin with a subject, gather material, and work your way to structure from there.

The New Yorker

At the time, he was slowly beginning to gather material together for his debut album.

The Guardian

To gather material for the book (co-writing it along the way on Google Docs, naturally).

The Guardian - Tech

Meantime, the builders return to the forests to gather material for thatching.

The New York Times

Maugham travelled frequently to gather material, but also to escape his unhappy living situation.

The New Yorker

After I gather material, I nerd out in the library for days, months, whatever.

The New York Times

To gather material, Mr. Benningfield reads research journals, goes to conferences and interviews prominent astronomers.

The New York Times

He also scoured vintage clothing shops from Paris to South Carolina to gather material for the costumes.

The New York Times - Arts

Did he do it in order to gather material so that he could write fiction about prison?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gather material" in academic writing, be specific about the type of material you are gathering (e.g., data, evidence, research papers). This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "gather material" as a vague placeholder for specific actions. Instead of saying 'I need to gather material for my presentation', specify what type of material you need, such as 'I need to gather data and relevant images for my presentation'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather material" functions primarily as a verb phrase acting as a transitive verb followed by a direct object ("material"). Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. It signifies the action of collecting or accumulating items, information, or resources for a specific purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gather material" is a correct and common way to describe the action of collecting resources or information. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is frequently used in News & Media, Wiki, and Encyclopedias, making it suitable for general writing contexts. For more formal or scientific writing, consider using synonyms such as "compile information" or "acquire data" to maintain a professional tone. To enhance clarity, specify the type of material being collected, avoiding overly broad usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect data

Focuses specifically on collecting data, which is a type of material.

compile information

Emphasizes the organized collection of information as material.

accumulate resources

Highlights the gathering of resources, broadening the scope of material.

acquire information

Stresses the acquisition of knowledge or facts.

assemble evidence

Specifically refers to gathering evidence, a particular type of material.

source content

Focuses on finding and obtaining content from various sources.

procure resources

Highlights the act of obtaining necessary resources.

amass documentation

Emphasizes the collection of documents as material.

extract information

Implies obtaining information from a specific source.

glean insights

Focuses on collecting insights, which are abstract forms of material.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather material" to describe the process of collecting information or resources for a specific purpose. For example, "The journalist traveled extensively to "gather material" for her book."

What is a more formal way to say "gather material"?

In a more formal context, you might use phrases like "compile information", "accumulate resources", or "procure documentation" depending on the specific type of material being collected.

What are some synonyms for "gather material"?

Synonyms for "gather material" include phrases like "collect data", "assemble evidence", or "source content", each emphasizing different aspects of the gathering process.

Is it correct to use "gather material" in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "gather material" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider using synonyms like "compile information" or "acquire data" to maintain a professional tone.