gather sunlight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gather sunlight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to photosynthesis, solar energy, or any situation where sunlight is being collected or utilized. Example: "Plants gather sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Inspired by the structures that plants use to gather sunlight and turn it into energy, the material mimics circuitry found in nature for harvesting light," Pereira explains.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The multi-facetted embossing will deflect super-saturated air as well as gather sunlight...much like the physics used in stealth designed aircraft.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

These will gather sunlight over an area about 10 times larger than the surface of a car and focus it on solar panels on the roof of the car, greatly increasing the amount of solar energy those panels can generate.

MIT Technology Review

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are using the plastic to gather sunlight and concentrate it onto a solar cell made of gallium arsenide in an experimental setup.

MIT Technology Review

What's more, those spirals pack florets as tight as can be, maximizing their ability to gather sunlight for the plant.

Science Magazine

Leaves gather sunlight and carry out photosynthesis.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The lenses, which look like glass cylinders cut down the middle, gather incoming sunlight on the rounded outer surfaces and focus it down to the solar cells below the flat sides of the half-cylinders.

The New York Times - Science

You know that it will not be worth enough to buy you a full meal, but you are already at the market and too far gone to gather more sunlight.

Huffington Post

The active part of thin-film cells the part that gathers sunlight and generates electricity is thin enough to be flexible, but the cells usually have to be manufactured on rigid materials such as glass to achieve the highest quality.

MIT Technology Review

Three solar panels 30 feet long with a total of 18,698 solar cells gather the dim sunlight to produce about 500 watts.

The New York Times - Science

Photoautotrophs, including all green plants, algae and cyanobacteria gather energy directly from sunlight by photosynthesis.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing solar energy technologies, use "gather sunlight" to emphasize the initial collection phase before conversion to electricity or other forms of energy. For example, "Specialized lenses are designed to gather sunlight and focus it onto photovoltaic cells."

Common error

Avoid using "gather sunlight" interchangeably with "absorb sunlight" when describing a material's property. "Gather" refers to the process of collecting, while "absorb" refers to the process of assimilation. Use "gather" to describe initial collection strategies and "absorb" to describe how materials interact with sunlight at a molecular level.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather sunlight" functions primarily as a verb phrase + noun, where "gather" acts as a transitive verb describing the action of collecting, and "sunlight" is the direct object, referring to the solar radiation being collected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable and correct in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gather sunlight" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe the process of collecting solar radiation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a valid and correct phrase. Its primary function is to describe the action of collecting sunlight, often in the context of energy production or biological processes like photosynthesis. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and science-related sources. While alternatives like "collect sunlight" and "harvest sunlight" exist, "gather sunlight" offers a slightly more nuanced emphasis on the act of accumulation. A key writing tip is to distinguish "gather" (collection) from "absorb" (assimilation) to maintain accuracy in technical descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect sunlight

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing "gather" with "collect" without changing the core meaning.

harvest sunlight

This alternative implies a more active and purposeful collection, akin to harvesting crops.

capture sunlight

This alternative emphasizes the act of trapping or seizing sunlight.

absorb sunlight

This alternative focuses on the assimilation of sunlight, often in the context of energy conversion.

accumulate sunlight

This alternative highlights the gradual buildup of sunlight over time.

harness solar energy

This alternative shifts the focus to the energy derived from sunlight, rather than the act of collecting it.

utilize solar radiation

This alternative uses more technical terms, emphasizing the scientific aspect of using sunlight.

channel sunlight

This alternative suggests directing sunlight in a specific path or direction.

trap sunlight

This alternative emphasizes capturing and retaining sunlight for later use.

intercept sunlight

This alternative focuses on blocking or stopping sunlight in order to collect it.

FAQs

What does it mean to "gather sunlight"?

To "gather sunlight" means to collect or accumulate solar radiation, often for a specific purpose such as energy production or photosynthesis. It implies a deliberate effort to capture and utilize sunlight.

What are some alternatives to saying "gather sunlight"?

You can use alternatives like "collect sunlight", "harvest sunlight", or "capture sunlight" depending on the context.

In what contexts is "gather sunlight" commonly used?

"Gather sunlight" is frequently used in contexts related to solar energy, plant biology, and sustainable technologies. It describes the initial process of acquiring solar radiation for various applications.

How does "gather sunlight" differ from "absorb sunlight"?

"Gather sunlight" refers to the act of collecting or accumulating solar radiation, while "absorb sunlight" refers to the process by which a material takes in and assimilates solar energy. The former is about collection, and the latter is about assimilation.