gather that

USAGE SUMMARY

"gather that" is a correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It is often used to indicate understanding or agreement regarding something that has been said or indicated. For example, "I'm guessing you're leaving early tonight?" "Yes, gather that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

New branches sprouted up to gather that cash.

The New York Times

From what I can gather, that is basically Houellebecq.

The Guardian

I gather that £500m of cuts are sought from universities.

The Guardian - Business

Still, St . Judes ability to gather that data quickly was limited.

The New York Times

I gather that Barclays rejected more creative signage proposed by Pentagram, the design firm.

The New York Times - Arts

Dr. Shendure and his colleagues have developed new methods that allow them to gather that information.

The New York Times - Science

"It's the information that you gather that is the crown jewel," he explained.

The New York Times

I gather that improvisation is not encouraged on the Mad Men set.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He had proposed earlier that they gather that evening to play an old game called Ex Libris.

The New York Times - Magazine

"What you need, then, is somebody to hold a bucket and gather that rain and make sure it fertilizes something.

The New York Times - Food

"If you were an impressionable person, you might gather that charities are rife with fraud and scandal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gather that" when you want to express that you have come to a conclusion or understanding based on information you have received, rather than stating a known fact. This shows an element of inference or deduction.

Common error

Avoid using "gather that" when you possess definitive, verifiable evidence. Reserve it for situations where your understanding is based on inference or indirect information. Saying "I gather that the sky is blue" when you can see it clearly is inappropriate; a direct statement would be better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather that" functions as a hedge, indicating a degree of uncertainty or inference rather than stating a direct fact. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage to express understanding based on available information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gather that" is a versatile tool for expressing understanding or inference based on available information. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used. It functions as a hedge, indicating a level of uncertainty. The phrase maintains a neutral register, lending itself to diverse contexts from news and media to everyday conversation. When aiming for increased formality, alternatives such as "I infer that" or "It is my understanding that" may be preferred. Remember to employ "gather that" when inferring a conclusion, not when stating a known fact. Considering the linguistic analysis and usage examples, "gather that" proves to be a valuable expression in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infer that

This suggests drawing a conclusion based on evidence, similar to understanding something implied.

understand that

This alternative directly expresses comprehension, akin to grasping the meaning or implication.

conclude that

Similar to inferring, this implies reaching a judgment or deduction based on presented information.

deduce that

This suggests arriving at a conclusion through logical reasoning, emphasizing the process of deduction.

ascertain that

This emphasizes the act of finding something out for certain, suggesting verification or confirmation.

realize that

This alternative highlights the moment of understanding or becoming aware of something.

assume that

This implies taking something for granted or supposing it to be true without concrete proof.

presume that

Similar to assuming, this suggests believing something is likely based on probability or past experience.

it is my understanding that

This phrase introduces the speaker's interpretation of a situation, making it clear that they may not have all the details.

I take it that

This expression is used when drawing a conclusion based on something someone has said or done.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather that" to indicate an understanding or inference. For example, "From his reaction, I "gather that" he didn't like the gift".

What's a more formal alternative to "gather that"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "I infer that", "I deduce that", or "It is my understanding that" as alternatives to ""gather that"".

Is it correct to say "I'm gathering that" instead of "I gather that"?

While "I "gather that"" is a more direct statement of understanding, "I'm gathering that" implies an ongoing process of comprehension, suggesting you are still forming your understanding. Both can be correct depending on the context.

What is the difference between "assume that" and "gather that"?

"Assume that" implies taking something for granted without proof, whereas ""gather that"" suggests a conclusion based on available information, even if not entirely conclusive.