gather my things

USAGE SUMMARY

"gather my things" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
Example: As the party came to an end, I began to gather my things, saying goodbye to my friends and grabbing my coat and purse before heading for the door.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But before I could gather my things, she came downstairs to her sunroom.

The New York Times - Magazine

When I'm at the beach with friends, I start to gather my things after about half an hour.

The New York Times

Before I knew it, the train was stopping, and I was scrambling to gather my things to get off.

The New York Times

On that final night, as I rushed to gather my things before being whisked into a car, it dawned on me that I would never see him again.

The New York Times

So I rise before the sun and the bedroom radiator's heat to gather my things, fumbling about for my gym bag, dropping my basketball, then my sneakers.

The New York Times - Sports

'I basically just stayed in for nine months.' As the mothers ask aghast questions and wonder what they can do to help, I gather my things and leave.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"I gathered my things and bolted out the door," one student wrote about her reaction once she finished her meal.

The New York Times

As I gathered my things and walked onto the plane, I promised myself that I would return as soon as possible.

Stanford University

I left the O.R. shortly after, then gathered my things, which had accumulated over seven years of work — extra sets of clothes for the nights you don't leave, toothbrushes, bars of soap, phone chargers, snacks, my skull model and collection of neurosurgery books, and so on.

The New Yorker

I left the O.R. shortly after, then gathered my things, which had accumulated over seven years of work extra sets of clothes for the nights you don't leave, toothbrushes, bars of soap, phone chargers, snacks, my skull model and collection of neurosurgery books, and so on.

The New Yorker

As I gathered my things and got up to leave, Millett said that she was looking forward to her upcoming trip to Paris, where she was scheduled to talk to the French government about her 1971 film, "Three Lives," in which three women talk candidly about their experiences.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gather my things" when you want to convey the act of collecting belongings in preparation for leaving a place or situation. It implies a practical and often hurried action.

Common error

Avoid using "gather my things" when you actually mean to "pack my things". Packing implies placing items into a bag or container, while gathering simply means collecting them together.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather my things" functions as a verb phrase where "gather" is the main verb indicating the action of collecting, and "my things" acts as the direct object, specifying what is being collected. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in describing the action of collecting belongings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gather my things" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the action of collecting one's belongings. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase effectively communicates preparation for departure or transition. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the action of collecting rather than packing, and consider context to choose the best alternative if a more formal or specific term is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect my belongings

Focuses specifically on personal possessions, adding a layer of detail.

get my stuff together

More informal and emphasizes organization before departure.

prepare to leave

Highlights the intention of departure rather than the act of collecting items.

pack my things

Implies putting items into a container, which "gather my things" does not necessarily suggest.

collect my gear

Refers to equipment or specialized items, narrower in scope.

round up my possessions

More emphatic, suggesting a comprehensive collection of belongings.

assemble my equipment

Suitable when referring to specific tools or devices needed for a task.

muster my resources

Broader, referring to gathering any kind of resources, not just physical items.

accumulate my effects

Formal and somewhat archaic, referring to personal property.

fetch my articles

Formal and less common, implies going to retrieve specific items.

FAQs

What does "gather my things" mean?

The phrase "gather my things" means to collect one's belongings together, usually in preparation for leaving a place.

How to use "gather my things" in a sentence?

You can use "gather my things" like this: "After the meeting, I needed to "collect my things" and head to the airport."

What can I say instead of "gather my things"?

You can use alternatives like "collect my belongings", "get my stuff together", or "prepare to leave" depending on the context.

Is "gather my things" formal or informal?

The phrase "gather my things" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "accumulate my effects" would be more formal.