gather power

USAGE SUMMARY

"gather power" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to collect or accumulate strength, energy, or influence. Example: The witches performed a ritual to gather power for their spell. In this sentence, "gather power" suggests that the witches are harnessing their magical energy in order to achieve their goal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Duan quickly began to gather power into his own hands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not that law schools' drive to make money and gather power is anything new.

The Guardian

Theocracies, he said, demonstrate "the tendency of human beings to gather power to themselves in the name of something that may not be questioned".

The New Yorker

The electorate must be convinced above all that he wants to gather power to himself, not in his interests, but in theirs.

The Guardian

The importance of NTV's independent broadcasting has grown in direct relation to President Vladimir Putin's effort to gather power into his own hands and silence critics of his government.

The New York Times

Although the two were close, many Kandahar residents were suspicious of the mayor, in part because of his closeness to the Americans from his years living in the United States, but also because he lacked the tribal connections needed in Kandahar to gather power.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But here too we are increasingly to be watched, restricted, subject to arbitrary arrests like the #TwitterJokeTrial, while government and courts gather powers to disconnect us, block websites and monitor what we say and do.

The Guardian

Yet it gathers power as the evening goes on.

The Guardian

Mr Ozawa is a born backroom dealer who gathered power during a stellar career at the heart of the LDP.

The Economist

As Maliki gathered power, he set out to banish every trace of Sunni influence from the bureaucracy.

The New Yorker

Since then, the debate about whether reporters should expose their personal views has only gathered power and velocity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs than "gather" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Verbs like "amass", "harness", or "consolidate" can provide greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "gather power" in sentences where the type of power is unclear. For instance, instead of saying "The company is gathering power", specify what kind of power: "The company is gathering market share" or "The company is gathering financial resources".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather power" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "gather" is the verb and "power" is the noun serving as the direct object. This signifies an action aimed at accumulating influence or resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gather power" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression that signifies the accumulation of strength, influence, or resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, although more precise synonyms might be preferable in formal writing. Common usage includes political analysis, strategic planning, and even fictional narratives. While "gather power" is widely understood, writers should strive for clarity by specifying the type of power being accumulated to avoid vagueness. The phrase frequently appears in news media, encyclopedias and wikis, suggesting its broad applicability and general understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulate influence

Emphasizes the gradual increase of influence over time.

consolidate authority

Suggests strengthening existing authority or control.

gain control

Focuses on acquiring the means to direct or dominate.

cultivate influence

Implies a deliberate effort to develop and expand influence.

build strength

Highlights the process of increasing physical or metaphorical strength.

muster strength

Emphasizes gathering strength, often for a specific challenge.

amass resources

Stresses the accumulation of assets that contribute to power.

secure dominance

Focuses on achieving a position of superiority.

harness energy

Focuses on capturing and utilizing energy for a specific purpose.

marshal resources

Suggests organizing and deploying resources to gain an advantage.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather power" to describe the accumulation of strength, influence, or resources. For example, "The politician worked tirelessly to gather power within the party".

What are some alternatives to "gather power"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "accumulate influence", "gain control", or "build strength".

Is "gather power" formal or informal?

"Gather power" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though its impact can be enhanced by more specific synonyms in formal writing.

What's the difference between "gather power" and "seek power"?

"Gather power" implies a gradual accumulation, while "seek power" suggests an active pursuit of it. One is about consolidating existing resources, the other is actively searching for them.