gather the mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gather the mind" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where one is referring to focusing or centering one's thoughts, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "Before starting the meditation session, take a moment to gather the mind and prepare for relaxation."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Let us gather the mind to a point.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"If I am elected President, I will gather the greatest minds in technology to design and build a dome made of dragon-proof material," he said.

The New Yorker

Occasionally when voters ask him about difficult social problems, he pledges to gather "the best minds in America" to work toward answers.

The New York Times

But he rejects the observation that Trump micromanages: "I think that he is someone who will gather the finest minds, he will extract as much information as he can, he will ask hard questions and he'll make decisions.

The Guardian

We had 3 objectives: (1) gather the best minds to debate what's changing now and what to do about it; (2) showcase the hottest new startups we could find and (3) have fun and meet a ton of new people.

TechCrunch

As these questions whirl painfully around your mind, you gather the burial spices, the myrrh and aloes, and the linen cloths.

Huffington Post

But then there comes a day when that voice twists spun-sugar lies all around your mind, and you gather the courage to tell it to f*ck off.

Huffington Post

Gather the contact information of the agent you've in mind.

WikiHow

Gather the required documentation.

WikiHow

Gather the necessary documents.

WikiHow

Gather the needed supplies.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gather the mind" sparingly and consider whether more common alternatives like "focus the mind" or "center the mind" would be clearer and more effective in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "gather the mind" in contexts where it might sound unnatural or overly poetic. Opt for clearer, more common expressions to ensure your message is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather the mind" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression suggesting the act of focusing or concentrating one's thoughts. Ludwig AI notes it's not a standard expression. The examples suggest it aims at achieving mental clarity or preparedness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gather the mind" is a relatively uncommon phrase used to describe focusing or concentrating one's thoughts. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests it's not a standard expression and might sound awkward to some. More common alternatives such as "focus the mind" or "center the mind" are generally preferred. The phrase appears in various contexts, including news, media, and wiki sources, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. When using "gather the mind", consider whether a clearer, more widely recognized expression would better serve your purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus the mind

More common and direct way to express concentrating thoughts.

center the mind

Implies bringing the mind to a state of balance and calm.

collect one's thoughts

Focuses on organizing thoughts rather than the mind itself.

concentrate the mind

Highlights the effort of focusing mental energy.

compose oneself

More about achieving a calm and controlled mental state.

focus one's attention

Emphasizes directing attention rather than gathering the mind.

bring the mind to stillness

Suggests quieting the mind to achieve mental clarity.

marshal one's thoughts

A more formal and forceful way of saying to organize one's thinking.

unite the mind

Suggests bringing different aspects of the mind into harmony.

draw the mind inward

Implies turning attention away from external distractions.

FAQs

What does "gather the mind" mean?

The phrase "gather the mind" means to focus or concentrate one's thoughts and mental energy. It suggests bringing scattered thoughts together into a coherent and attentive state.

How can I use "gather the mind" in a sentence?

You can use "gather the mind" in sentences such as, "Before beginning the task, take a moment to "focus the mind" and prepare for concentration."

What are some alternatives to "gather the mind"?

Alternatives to "gather the mind" include "focus the mind", "center the mind", and "collect one's thoughts". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "gather the mind" a common phrase?

No, "gather the mind" is not a common phrase. More standard expressions like "focus the mind" or "center the mind" are typically preferred in contemporary English.