gather them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gather them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to collect or assemble a group of items or people. Example: "Please gather them in the meeting room before we start the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Irritated, she went to gather them.

The New Yorker

I help him gather them together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Zhang sprinted to gather them up.

The New York Times

Should I gather them up?" "Quiet!" Yongsu said.

The New Yorker

He'd gather them up and lay them back down neatly.

The New Yorker

"Athletes, artists, writers — I like to gather them all here.

The New York Times

So he started to gather them into a project he called "Everyday Africa".

The New York Times

"There are forty or fifty women who gather them in the villages, and sell them here.

The New Yorker

All that was needed was a few good graduate students to gather them up.

The New Yorker

He ordered his men to gather them up and place them in earthen pots.

Britannica

I hope some friend will gather them into a little book after my death.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gather them" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what "them" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the items or people you are gathering.

Common error

Avoid using "gather them" without a clear antecedent for "them". This can confuse the reader and make your writing less precise. Always ensure the referent is explicitly stated or easily understood from the surrounding text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather them" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "gather" is the verb and "them" is a pronoun serving as the direct object. It describes the action of bringing things or people together into a group. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

36%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gather them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of collecting or assembling items or people. As noted by Ludwig, it is considered correct in written English. While versatile, it's more prevalent in news, media and wiki contexts. To ensure clarity, always make sure that "them" has a clear reference. Alternatives like "collect them", "assemble them", or "round them up" can be used to fine-tune the meaning based on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect them together

Adds emphasis on bringing items into a unified group or collection.

bring them together

Focuses on uniting separate entities into a single group.

round them up

Implies a herding or gathering action, often used for animals or people in a less formal way.

assemble them

Suggests a more structured or organized gathering, often for a specific purpose.

corral them

Similar to "round them up", but suggests containing the gathered items or people.

accumulate them

Focuses on gradually increasing the quantity over time.

marshal them

Implies organizing and arranging items or people, often in a military or strategic context.

group them

Highlights the action of forming distinct groups based on shared characteristics.

muster them

Suggests gathering forces or resources, often in preparation for an event or task.

compile them

Implies systematically collecting and organizing information or data.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather them" when you want to convey the action of collecting or assembling items or people. For example, "Please gather the documents and bring them to my office" or "The teacher asked the students to gather their belongings before leaving".

What are some alternatives to "gather them"?

Some alternatives to "gather them" include "collect them", "assemble them", "bring them together", or "round them up", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "gather them all"?

Yes, "gather them all" is grammatically correct. It simply emphasizes that you want to collect or assemble all of the items or people being referred to. For example, "Gather them all in the main hall".

What is the difference between "gather them" and "collect them"?

While "gather them" and "collect them" are often used interchangeably, "gather" can sometimes imply a more informal or less systematic collection. "Collect" might suggest a more deliberate or organized approach.