gather water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'gather water' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the act of collecting water, either from a natural source such as a lake or stream, or from an artificial source such as a well. For example, you could say: "After a long journey, the group of travelers was relieved to finally be able to gather water for drinking and washing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Everywhere you look – in the courtyards of family compounds, under the big tree at the village gathering place, even at the well as they gather water – women are breastfeeding their children.

Unicef

She also blew from a conch shell in four directions, and then used the shell to gather water from the ocean, with which the couple were then instructed to wash each others' hands.

The New York Times

If you don't have eight days to wait, you can, instead, gather water from a fountain exactly at midnight (invisibility spells are fetishistic about time management), bring it to a boil, and drop in a live black cat.

The New Yorker

His description of Dougie the binman forced to gather water on a revolving carousel while dressed as a penguin was so priceless that I went straight to YouTube to watch it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tensiometer and electrical resistance sensors are some examples of soil sensors that can be used to gather water potential measurements.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

A 5m-long probe will then be lowered through the hole and into the lake, carrying 24 flasks that will gather water samples at various depths.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

All in all, we gathered water at gunpoint.

The Guardian

WATER RIGHTS (AND WRONGS) In the 1800s, locally gathered water was sold from barrels on horse-drawn buggies.

The New York Times

In the courtyard, a sign next to a well notes that the explorer gathered water here for blessing whatever land awaited him.

The New York Times - Travel

The Lynch expedition took measurements of the Dead Sea's depth, gathered water samples, and documented the flora and fauna of the region.

Independent

Mr. Aven and Nicole Taylor gathered water samples and recorded that Bama appeared to be eating regularly — she weighs in at around 1,200 pounds — and was not discolored, a sign of infection.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, consider using more descriptive verbs like "fetch", "draw", or "harvest" instead of just "gather" to provide more context about how the water is being obtained.

Common error

In scientific or technical writing, avoid using "gather water" when a more precise term like "collect water samples" or "extract water" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather water" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "gather" is the main verb and "water" is the direct object. It describes the action of collecting or accumulating water. Ludwig confirms the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

16%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gather water" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of collecting water. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely applicable across various contexts, from formal scientific reports to everyday conversations. While alternatives like ""collect water"" or ""fetch water"" may offer more specific nuances, "gather water" remains a versatile and readily understood phrase. When using it in technical contexts, however, be mindful to choose a more precise term if needed. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, reflecting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collect water

This alternative is the most direct synonym, focusing on the act of bringing water together.

obtain water

This alternative highlights the act of acquiring water, often implying effort or difficulty.

fetch water

This alternative implies going to a specific location to get water and bringing it back.

draw water

This alternative refers specifically to extracting water from a well or other source.

harvest rainwater

This alternative specifies the collection of rainwater, emphasizing sustainability.

accumulate water

This alternative focuses on the gradual build-up of water over time.

store water

This alternative emphasizes the preservation of water for later use.

extract water

This alternative implies separating water from another substance or location.

source water

This alternative highlights the act of finding a water supply.

retrieve water

This alternative emphasizes the act of getting back water that was previously lost or unavailable.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather water" to describe the act of collecting water from a natural source, such as "They had to walk miles to "gather water" from the river".

What's a good alternative to "gather water"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "gather water" include "collect water", "fetch water", or "harvest rainwater".

Is "gather water" formal or informal?

"Gather water" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in scientific or technical contexts, more specific terms like "extract" or "sample" might be preferred.

Which is correct, "gather water" or "collect water"?

Both "gather water" and "collect water" are correct and widely used. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.