glean about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "glean about" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct usage would typically be "glean information about" or "glean insights about." Example: "I hope to glean information about the new project during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Businesses are already using customised pricing online based on information they can glean about you.

The Guardian - Opinion

Internet companies have a worrisome leeway to use data they glean about the people who use their services.

The New York Times

Exactly what Israel's "eyes and ears" can glean about its neighbour from Mount Hermon is a closely guarded military secret.

The Guardian

Could the information we glean about Ithaca in these opening lines prove to be useful later on?

The New Yorker

Young women want every bit of information they can glean about their role models and are willing to buy several titles each week.

The Economist

Another question is what kind of data the government will be able to glean about the service's users and what they share.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Overall, the best approach is to use this information gleaned about personality as a way to acknowledge that differences exist, and to develop personal and interactive strategies to help creatives function at their most effective and productive.

Huffington Post

Such users are considered extremely valuable because more data can be gleaned about them.

The New York Times

They shared what little information they had gleaned about their captors.

The New Yorker

The insights that Franken gleaned about twelve-step programs also informed his creation of Stuart Smalley.

The New Yorker

By this evening, little information could be gleaned about Corporal Gutierrez or Lieutenant Adams.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow "glean" with a noun referring to information, knowledge, or insights, then use "about" to specify the topic. For example, "glean information about" or "glean insights about".

Common error

Avoid using "glean" directly with "about". It is grammatically incorrect and sounds awkward. Always insert a noun such as "information", "details", or "insights" between "glean" and "about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glean about" is typically part of a verb phrase where "glean" (to extract information from various sources) is followed incorrectly by "about". Ludwig AI indicates this usage as non-standard and suggests adding a noun between "glean" and "about".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "glean about" is frequently used in text, but Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage involves inserting a noun, such as "information", "details", or "insights", between "glean" and "about". While "glean" suggests a careful extraction of information, the incorrect phrasing detracts from formality. Consider using alternatives like "learn about" or "gather information about" for clearer communication. The frequency of occurrence is common, particularly in News & Media sources. Always ensure the presence of a noun object between "glean" and "about" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get information about

Replaces "glean" with a more common synonym and completes the prepositional phrase.

learn about

Substitutes "glean" with a simpler verb indicating acquisition of knowledge.

collect information about

Uses a more direct verb for gathering data.

gather information about

Emphasizes the act of accumulating knowledge.

obtain information about

Focuses on the attainment of facts or details.

extract details about

Highlights the process of pulling specific data points.

acquire knowledge about

Puts emphasis on gaining understanding.

uncover facts about

Suggests revealing hidden information.

ascertain details regarding

Offers a more formal alternative, replacing "about" with "regarding".

discern insights into

Implies a deeper understanding and uses "into" instead of "about".

FAQs

How to properly use "glean" with "about" in a sentence?

Always insert a noun referring to data between "glean" and "about", such as "glean information about" or "glean insights about".

What can I say instead of "glean about" to sound more natural?

Use phrases like "learn about", "gather information about", or "extract details about" for a more natural flow.

Is it grammatically correct to say "glean about" without an object?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. "Glean" requires a noun object (like information or details) before using "about". The correct structure is "glean [noun] about [topic]".

What's the difference between "glean information about" and simply "learn about"?

"Glean information about" implies a more careful or investigative process of gathering information, while "learn about" is a more general term for acquiring knowledge.