gather to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gather to" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe when people come together in order to do something, either physically or in spirit. Example: We will gather to share stories of our adventures and reminisce about our time together.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Every afternoon, Yemenis gather to enjoy qat gatherings.

The Guardian

The children gather to watch.

The New York Times

Families gather to celebrate births and weddings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lionesses gather to attack scattering bison.

The Guardian - Travel

We often gather to cure our homesickness.

The Guardian

Every fall my family would gather to slaughter our pigs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tourists gather to watch; bears, ignoring them, eat their fill.

The New York Times - Magazine

Residents gather to watch soccer matches while enjoying comfort food.

The New York Times - Travel

On Sundays, hundreds of children gather to learn the Koran.

The New York Times

Today, several hundred guests gather to see his spring looks.

The New York Times

Groups will continue to gather, to celebrate and to protest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gather to" when you want to emphasize the purpose or intention behind a group coming together. For instance, "Scientists gather to discuss climate change" highlights the purpose of their meeting.

Common error

Avoid using "gather to" when referring to a single entity or individual. "The researcher will gather to analyze the data" is incorrect; instead, use "The researcher will analyze the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind a group coming together. It often introduces a verb that describes the activity or goal they aim to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gather to" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express the purpose of a group's assembly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears in various contexts, particularly in news, business, and general writing. The phrase functions as an infinitive of purpose, explaining why people are coming together, be it to celebrate, protest, or discuss. While alternatives like "come together to" or "assemble for" exist, "gather to" strikes a balance between formality and informality, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles. Remember to use it when referring to groups, not individuals, and always with a clear purpose in mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come together to

Emphasizes the act of joining from different places or states.

assemble for

Highlights a more formal or organized meeting.

meet up to

Implies a casual gathering for a specific task.

converge to

Suggests movement towards a central point for a shared reason.

get together to

Focuses on the social aspect of meeting with a purpose.

group together to

Stresses the formation of a group for a common objective.

unite to

Highlights solidarity and shared purpose in action.

convene to

Indicates a formal or official assembly.

flock to

Suggests a large number of people moving towards a place or event.

rally to

Emphasizes coming together in support of a cause or objective.

FAQs

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

Use "gather to" when describing a group of people coming together for a specific purpose. For example, "The community will "gather to" celebrate the town's anniversary".

What are some alternatives to "gather to"?

You can use alternatives such as "come together to", "assemble for", or "meet up to", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "gather to" and "gather around"?

"Gather to" implies a purpose or intention behind the gathering, while "gather around" suggests a more informal or spontaneous gathering, often around a specific object or person.

When is it inappropriate to use "gather to"?

It's inappropriate to use "gather to" when referring to a singular subject or when the purpose of the gathering is unclear or nonexistent. Ensure that a group is actually assembling with a defined aim.