gather up

USAGE SUMMARY

"gather up" can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used to ask someone to collect multiple items and bring them to a particular place. Example: Gather up all your textbooks and bring them to the library.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gather up stored mail messages.

Forbes

Gather up all your courage and fortitude.

Vice

Album title: "Gather Up The Chaps" (rumored this spring).

Los Angeles Times

Puck later returns to secretly gather up the items.

Wikipedia

Gather up your friends.

WikiHow

Gather up the ingredients.

WikiHow

Gather up the Neopoints.

WikiHow

Gather up some sticks.

WikiHow

Gather up your ingredients.

WikiHow

Gather up the episodes.

WikiHow

Gather up your supplies.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gather up" when you want to emphasize the act of collecting scattered items or people into a single group or location. For instance, "Gather up your belongings before leaving the train."

Common error

Avoid using "gather up" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "collect", "assemble", or "compile" depending on the context. For example, instead of "Gather up the data for analysis", use "Collect the data for analysis."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It signifies the act of collecting or assembling items or people, as illustrated by Ludwig examples like "Gather up your friends" or "Gather up the ingredients".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

74%

News & Media

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gather up" is a phrasal verb that means to collect or assemble, typically used in informal contexts. Ludwig examples reveal its frequent application in instructional content, like "WikiHow" articles, and occasional appearances in news media. While grammatically sound, it's advisable to use more formal synonyms such as "collect" or "assemble" in professional or academic writing. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is predominantly used in informal registers and carries a clear directive to consolidate items or people.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect

This is a more general term for bringing things together.

assemble

Implies a more structured or organized collection.

round up

Suggests gathering people or animals, often from a dispersed area.

accumulate

Indicates a gradual gathering over time.

muster

Implies gathering forces or resources, often for a specific purpose.

marshal

Suggests organizing and arranging items after they have been gathered.

compile

Refers to gathering information or data into a structured format.

glean

Indicates gathering information or materials slowly and carefully.

hoard

Suggests secretly gathering and storing a large quantity of something.

mass

Implies gathering into a large, undifferentiated group.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather up" to describe the action of collecting things together. For example, "Gather up all your toys" or "It's time to "gather up" our courage".

What are some alternatives to "gather up"?

Alternatives include "collect", "assemble", "round up", and "accumulate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "gather up" formal or informal?

"Gather up" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, it's better to use more precise alternatives like "collect" or "assemble".

What's the difference between "gather up" and "collect"?

While similar, "gather up" often implies a more immediate and perhaps less organized collection, whereas "collect" can suggest a more systematic or gradual process.