glean

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "glean" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to obtain information, knowledge, or ideas from various sources. You can use it in the following example sentence: I gleaned useful tips from my co-workers about how to approach my job interview.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We hope that our gleanings have helped you to glean a sense of just how interesting and important the China story is, and we invite you to follow us over to the online China page.

The Economist

Businesses may glean valuable insight into what content to use by asking customers directly what they'd like to see on the site.

The Guardian

On Harry Redknapp for failing to glean a single point away from Loftus Road before leaving mid-season?

The Guardian - Sport

Closed Mondays, free entry for EU visitors Museo de la Manzanilla and Bodegas Barbadillo, Sanlúcar This museum would be a good way to glean information pertinent to buying sherries of all kinds – olorosos, manzanillas and palo finos – but for the tasting session at the end which will wipe your memory clear.

The Guardian - Travel

These gardens may also offer a formula from which other urban centres could glean a lesson or two.

The Guardian

Here's what we've been able to glean so far: The hero of the first three films, Luke is mostly likely the narrator we're hearing in this trailer.

The Guardian - Film

The sexes themselves smell different, too, and women can glean information about a man's social status from his smell alone.As long ago as the 1950s, a perfumer called Paul Jellinek noted that several ingredients of incense resembled scents of the human body.

The Economist

At the same time, American officials are naturally eager to glean as much information as possible from them to prevent further terrorist attacks.If it does decide to try any of the prisoners, the United States has a number of legal options.

The Economist

China, clearly, is not convinced either.Chinese soldiers boarded the plane soon after it landed and are thought to have spent the intervening days going over it meticulously to glean what they could about American intelligence-gathering methods and machinery.

The Economist

The fashionable term for trying to glean useful insights from it all is crowd sourcing.

The Economist

Most alarming for Mr Pellicano's clients is that the sleuth seems to have taped not only their enemies but also their own discussions about how he would glean information.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glean" to describe gathering information bit by bit, especially when the process involves careful searching or piecing things together from various sources.

Common error

While "glean" is a valid word, overusing it, especially in formal contexts, can make your writing sound affected. Consider using more direct synonyms like "gather" or "obtain" for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "glean" is as a transitive verb, indicating the act of collecting or gathering something, typically information, gradually or from various sources. As Ludwig AI states, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glean" is a versatile verb primarily used to describe the process of carefully gathering information, often from disparate or difficult-to-access sources. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's most frequently encountered in News & Media, Encyclopedia and Science contexts, indicating a formal to neutral tone. While there are many synonyms, such as "gather", "extract" and "infer", the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid overuse to maintain a natural writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather

Implies a more general collection from multiple sources; less emphasis on difficulty or scarcity.

extract

Suggests carefully drawing something out from a source, like data or meaning.

ascertain

Focuses on finding something out for certain, reducing ambiguity.

deduce

Emphasizes a logical conclusion based on the available information.

infer

Highlights the act of drawing a conclusion based on implicit meanings.

collect

A broader term for bringing things together, often systematically.

garner

Similar to "glean" but can also imply gaining respect or approval.

accumulate

Stresses the gradual build-up of something over time.

obtain

A general term for getting something, without specific emphasis on method.

acquire

Suggests taking possession of something, often through effort.

FAQs

How can I use "glean" in a sentence?

You can use "glean" to describe the process of gathering information bit by bit, as in, "I was able to "glean" some useful information from the conference sessions."

What can I say instead of "glean"?

You can use alternatives like "gather", "extract", or "infer" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "glean" when referring to physical objects?

While "glean" can refer to physical items left after a harvest, it's more commonly used to describe the gathering of information. For physical objects, "collect" or "gather" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "glean" and "garner"?

"Glean" often suggests carefully collecting small amounts, while "garner" implies accumulating something, often over time and sometimes involving effort or merit. For example, "He hopes to garner support for his proposal."