gather themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gather themselves" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of people or things assembling themselves in one place or group. For example: The students gathered themselves at the front of the classroom.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

This time, the Celtics did not wait to gather themselves.

The New York Times - Sports

The Yankees will have to gather themselves on the fly.

The New York Times - Sports

To be able to gather themselves and know who they are.

The New York Times

Wenger has demanded that the players gather themselves for challenges ahead.

Independent

A lot of guys have to gather themselves before they can finish.

The New York Times - Sports

Do they leave during a flight they're already making, or do they somehow gather themselves together beforehand?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The Americans gathered themselves somewhat.

The New York Times - Sports

The young people gathered themselves.

The New Yorker

Then the two gathered themselves up and ran off.

The New Yorker

The women gathered themselves and crowded into the cramped bathroom.

The New York Times - Magazine

People tumbled to the ground, turned toward Mecca, and gathered themselves in the evening prayer.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gather themselves" when you want to convey a sense of deliberate action in regaining composure or preparing for a subsequent action, particularly after a disruption or setback.

Common error

Avoid using "gather themselves" with singular subjects. The phrase is reflexive and requires a plural subject to refer back to. For a singular subject, consider alternatives like "collect himself" or "compose herself".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather themselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of gathering is directed back to the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes an action of individuals or groups preparing, regrouping, or regaining composure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gather themselves" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed reflexive phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI, used to depict individuals or groups preparing or regaining composure, particularly after facing disruption. It is common in news, sports reporting, and literary contexts, indicating broad applicability. For alternative phrasing, one might consider "collect their thoughts" or "compose themselves". When using "gather themselves", remember it requires a plural or collective subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regroup

A shorter, more direct way to convey reassembling after being scattered.

collect their thoughts

Focuses on the mental aspect of preparing, rather than physical assembly.

compose themselves

Emphasizes regaining emotional control and calmness.

pull themselves together

Highlights the effort required to overcome a difficult situation.

recover their poise

Stresses regaining composure and balance, especially in formal settings.

muster their strength

Highlights the effort to accumulate the energy needed for a task.

assemble

Focuses purely on the act of coming together in one place.

reorganize

Focuses on restructuring for better efficiency or after a setback.

prepare

Emphasizes the process of making oneself ready.

get ready

A more general phrase indicating preparation for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather themselves" to describe a group of people or entities that are coming together, either physically or mentally, to prepare for something. For example, "After the defeat, the team needed time to "collect their thoughts" and gather themselves for the next game".

What does "gather themselves" mean?

"Gather themselves" generally means to collect one's thoughts, composure, or physical presence in preparation for something. It can imply a need to regain control or focus.

Are there any synonyms for "gather themselves"?

Yes, some synonyms include "compose themselves", "regroup", "collect their thoughts", or "pull themselves together" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "gather themselves" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "gather themselves" when you want to emphasize a process of recovery or preparation, especially after a moment of disarray or challenge. It suggests a deliberate effort to regain focus or control.