gathers

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'gathers' is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean "to collect or bring together" or as a noun to mean "a group or gathering of people or things." Example: The teacher gathers the students in a circle for a discussion. The family gathers every Sunday for a big dinner. The storm gathers strength as it approaches the coast. She gathers her thoughts before making an important decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A crowd gathers at the bar at midday when the chef sends out plates of the dish of the day that are quickly snapped up, not surprising when the cost is €6.

The Guardian - Travel

As the market for university places gathers pace, many institutions are investing millions in glamorous new accommodation to woo students.

The Guardian

As the school day draws to a close, Kalavathi gathers the children under the shade of the school's iconic Flame tree or 'Gulmohar' in Hindi.

The Guardian

It also gathers data from telematics units installed in fleet vehicles as well as in-dash systems, giving TomTom a comprehensive overview of traffic flows.

The Guardian - Tech

The first step is that the SEC gathers evidence that the banks or hedge funds broke the rules.

The Guardian - Opinion

Today's backslap (including a supporting actress hat-tip to Emily Watson) looks to give the film a fresh lease of life as the sprint towards the final awards furlongs gathers pace.

The Guardian - Film

Yet every now and then someone gathers the courage to tell of it.

The Guardian

It is a weekly affair that gathers a tender loyalty from far and wide.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As he gathers the resources to launch a London thinktank and to mobilise an alliance of progressive-minded people, the Greens are expected to form part of the rainbow coalition which will lift him back into power.

The Guardian - Opinion

The herbs and tinctures he gathers – such as seeds from the airampo opuntia cactus –tint his homemade ice cream Pepto-Bismol pink.

The Guardian - Travel

The Goldman Sachs takeover of the UK financial establishment gathers pace.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gathers", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the action of collecting or accumulating. Use it to add nuance to your writing by choosing it over simpler alternatives like "collects" or "assembles" when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "gathers" in passive constructions where the agent performing the action is unclear or omitted. Instead, specify who or what is doing the gathering to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gathers" is as a verb, typically in the third-person singular present tense. According to Ludwig, the word is correct and commonly used in written English, indicating a standard grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "gathers" is a versatile verb indicating the act of collecting or assembling. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it also frequently appears in formal business and scientific publications, suggesting a neutral register. When seeking alternative phrasing, "assembles", "collects", and "accumulates" offer semantically similar options. To use "gathers" effectively, avoid passive voice and ensure clarity in identifying the agent performing the action. Ultimately, "gathers" serves as a reliable and frequently employed term for describing the act of bringing things together.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assembles

Focuses on the act of bringing separate parts together to form a whole, emphasizing organization.

collects

Emphasizes the act of accumulating items, often with the intention of preserving or organizing them.

accumulates

Implies a gradual increase in quantity over time, suggesting a passive process.

amasses

Suggests the gathering of a large quantity, often implying wealth or power.

congregates

Specifically refers to the gathering of people, often for a specific purpose or event.

compiles

Implies the systematic gathering of information or data.

accumulates

Implies a gradual increase in quantity over time, suggesting a passive process.

convenes

Suggests a formal or official gathering, often for meetings or discussions.

secures

Highlights the act of obtaining or acquiring something, often through effort or strategy.

procures

Emphasizes the acquisition of something, often with a specific purpose in mind, usually professional

FAQs

How is "gathers" typically used in a sentence?

"Gathers" is typically used as a verb to describe the act of collecting or bringing things together, such as "The teacher "gathers" the students" or "The storm "gathers" strength."

What words can I use instead of "gathers"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "collects", "assembles", or "accumulates" instead of "gathers".

What's the difference between "gathers" and "collects"?

"Gathers" often implies a more active or intentional process of bringing things together, while "collects" can suggest a more passive or general accumulation.

Is "gathers" formal or informal?

"Gathers" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal synonyms like "convenes" might be preferred in highly formal settings.