gathered down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gathered down" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers, as "gathered" typically does not pair with "down" in this context. Example: "The leaves gathered down in the corner of the yard." (This usage is awkward and unclear.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Several residents gathered down near the end of First Street on Wednesday and commiserated over the cost.

The New York Times

Hamilton appeared on Tuesday evening out of the VIP tent to wave to the throng of green and white gathered down on Belfast Lough.

The Guardian - Sport

BEIJING — Shortly after BMX cycling made its Olympic debut Wednesday, the American riders gathered down the hill from the site at a bike shop called Trek.

The New York Times - Sports

During batting practice for his first games here since last July — when he was traded, the Yankees were in Seattle and he played all three games for his new team — he was cheered respectfully, and a crowd gathered down the right-field line as he signed autographs.

The New York Times - Sports

As the Senate fought over oil, top Democrats gathered down the street at national party headquarters to show that they were rallying together now that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York had dropped her presidential bid, leaving Senator Barack Obama of Illinois as the party's presidential contender.

The New York Times

Moments later Sam Baldock, who has scored just once since joining Brighton at the end of August, saw his header gathered down low by home keeper Neil Etheridge.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

After dinner if there are no moonlight treks scheduled, guests gather down in the common area for nightcaps and conversation.

Forbes

Thread a needle with a thread that is at least one foot longer than the length you need to gather down to.

WikiHow

Predecessors of cosplay from the '80s still gather down the road at the entrance to Yoyogi Park.

BBC

It dies after dinner but, before you eat, this is a fun place to gather, down a few snifters and listen to some cocktail piano.

Forbes

Players with Spain's Real Madrid gathered, head down, for a moment of silence before training Tuesday. .

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical accuracy, replace "gathered down" with more precise alternatives such as "gathered below", "collected down", or rephrase the sentence to avoid the awkward pairing altogether. For example, instead of "The crowd gathered down the street", consider "The crowd gathered at the end of the street".

Common error

Avoid using "gathered down" when intending to describe a gathering at a lower elevation or location. The phrase incorrectly combines the action of gathering with a directional indicator. It is more appropriate to use phrases like "gathered below" or "assembled downstairs" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gathered down" functions as a descriptive phrase, aiming to describe the action of people or things coming together in a lower spatial position. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct and can be unclear, therefore is better to avoid it.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "gathered down" appears in a variety of sources, including news and media, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights its lack of clarity, suggesting that more precise alternatives are preferred. The analysis indicates that the intent is to describe a group assembling in a lower spatial position. To enhance clarity and grammatical accuracy, consider using alternatives like "assembled below" or rephrasing the sentence to avoid the awkward construction altogether. Avoiding "gathered down" ensures better communication and enhances the overall quality of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assembled below

Replaces "gathered" with "assembled" and "down" with "below", focusing on a formal coming together in a lower spatial position.

collected below

Replaces "gathered" with "collected" and "down" with "below", highlighting a process of accumulating things or people in a lower spatial position.

congregated downward

Substitutes "gathered" with "congregated" and "down" with "downward", emphasizing a gathering motion in a descending direction.

grouped beneath

Replaces "gathered" with "grouped" and "down" with "beneath", specifying a cluster positioned under something.

met below

Highlights a meeting taking place in a location beneath a certain point.

convened downstairs

Replaces "gathered" with "convened" and "down" with "downstairs", referring to a planned meeting in a lower level of a building.

accumulated below

Refers to a gradual increase in quantity over time in a lower spatial position.

flocked downwards

Emphasizes a movement of people or animals moving as a crowd in a descending direction.

clustered underneath

Emphasizes a tight grouping situated directly beneath something.

descended and gathered

Replaces the single phrase with two actions. Emphasizes first a descent and then a gathering.

FAQs

What does "gathered down" mean?

The phrase "gathered down" is not a standard English expression and its meaning can be unclear. It usually implies a group of people or things that have assembled in a lower location or position. However, it is recommended to use more precise alternatives.

How can I rephrase "gathered down" to improve clarity?

To improve clarity, you can replace "gathered down" with phrases such as "assembled below", "collected below", or "met below", depending on the intended context.

Is "gathered down" grammatically correct?

While "gathered down" appears in some contexts, it is not considered grammatically sound. The combination of "gathered" with "down" is awkward and less clear than using alternative phrases that convey a similar meaning more directly.

What are some alternatives to "gathered down" in formal writing?

In formal writing, avoid "gathered down". Opt for alternatives like "assembled below", "congregated downward", or rephrase the sentence for better precision. For example, instead of "They gathered down by the river", write "They assembled by the riverbank".