gathering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "gathering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a meeting of two or more people, or to refer to a gathering of people or objects. For example, "The local history society had a gathering this past weekend to discuss upcoming projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Republicans drop abortion vote after revolt by female House members Supporters of the bill had hoped it would be passed on Thursday to coincide with the March for Life, a huge anti-abortion gathering held on the Mall each year to mark the anniversary of the supreme court's 1973 ruling to legalise abortion, Roe v Wade.

The Guardian

How she set up the farm as a home for a group of young people from all over the world to work their summers tending the soil, gathering eggs, feeding the pigs and sorting salad leaves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Jack Viney shadowed Ablett for most of the game and kept the dual-Brownlow medallist to 19 possessions while gathering 24 of his own.

The Guardian - Sport

JIEDDO used "open-source" methods of gathering and analyzing publicly available information.

The Guardian

"While I was on board I soon realised that the boot room, where we all changed our clothing and left our shoes, had turned into a scene of social chaos," McEwan said, describing how the eminent scientists, who down the hall were gathering to talk earnestly about the future of the humankind, were also capable of stealing each others' footwear and regarding their colleagues with deep distrust.

The Guardian - Books

On the Civil War battlefield where President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech that symbolized his presidency and the sacrifices made by Union and Confederate forces, historians and everyday Americans are gathering to ponder what the Gettysburg Address has meant to the nation.

The Guardian

Another neighbour stops by, attracted by the throng of people gathering below the flat.

The Guardian

Such comments have been heard in Greece, where many fringe parties oppose its financial reforms (and are gathering support).

The Guardian - Business

The union is gathering evidence of hardship faced by journalists across the four titles because of the pay freeze.

The Guardian

Dressed in her nightgown her face is tranquil; a few beads of sweat gathering at her temples the only sign of a concealed distress.

The Guardian

"We will not accept anyone except Sisi," said Refaei Nasrallah, the head of one several groups gathering petitions calling on Sisi to run.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gathering" to describe both social events and the collection of data or items. This word fits seamlessly into diverse contexts, enhancing clarity and sophistication.

Common error

Don't restrict "gathering" solely to social events. Expand its usage to describe the accumulation of information, resources, or momentum in various scenarios to highlight its versatility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gathering" is a noun, referring to an assembly of people or a collection of items. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and versatile usage, supported by numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "gathering" functions primarily as a noun, denoting either a social event or the accumulation of objects or data. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is grammatically sound and usable in various contexts. Its neutral register and widespread use in news, lifestyle, and sports articles make it a versatile term for describing various scenarios. While synonyms like "assembly", "meeting", and "collection" exist, "gathering" stands out for its blend of formality and accessibility, appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assembly

Replaces "gathering" with a formal term for a group of people convened for a specific purpose.

meeting

Substitutes "gathering" with a more generic term for a planned or unplanned encounter.

convention

Replaces "gathering" with a term implying a larger, more formal assembly, often with a specific theme.

congregation

Substitutes "gathering" suggesting a group of people assembled for religious worship.

collection

Replaces "gathering" when referring to a group of objects or items.

group

Substitutes "gathering" with a basic term for a number of people or things located close together or classed together.

convocation

Replaces "gathering" implying a formal assembly of people, often for academic or ceremonial purposes.

flock

Substitutes "gathering" with a term often used for birds or sheep but also people in a religious context.

cluster

Replaces "gathering" suggesting a tightly packed group of similar things.

huddle

Substitutes "gathering" implying a close group, often for warmth, protection, or secrecy.

FAQs

How can I use "gathering" in a sentence?

You can use "gathering" to refer to a meeting, a collection of items, or the act of collecting. For example, "The annual family gathering is always a joyous occasion" or "She spent the morning gathering data for her research project".

What are some alternatives to the word "gathering"?

Alternatives include "assembly", "meeting", "collection", or "convention", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "gathering" as a verb?

Yes, "gathering" can be used as the present participle of the verb "gather". For example, "They are gathering information".

What's the difference between "gathering" and "collection"?

"Gathering" often implies an active process of bringing things together, while "collection" typically refers to a set of items already assembled. A "gathering" is more dynamic, while a "collection" is more static.