i gathered

USAGE SUMMARY

"I gathered" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of physically gathering something, or to convey that you collected and/or inferred information. For example: "I gathered from our conversations over the past few weeks that you weren't very happy with your current job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"So I gathered".

The New Yorker

I gathered my courage.

The New York Times - Style

I gathered data for months on end.

The New York Times

I gathered in great lungfuls of air.

The New Yorker

But slowly I gathered my courage.

The New York Times

I gathered the children together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I gathered she was his favourite.

The Guardian - Music

I gathered a lot of information.

The New Yorker

I gathered documents and conducted interviews.

The New York Times

I gathered up all my ingredients to make some more.

The New Yorker

Somebody, I gathered, had been shot — somebody important.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I gathered" to introduce information that you've compiled from multiple sources, especially when the sources aren't explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "I gathered" when the information was directly and clearly stated. "I gathered" implies an indirect understanding, not a verbatim repetition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I gathered" is as a verb phrase, where "gathered" acts as the main verb in the past tense. It typically functions as a declarative statement, conveying either the act of collecting something or the process of understanding something indirectly, as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I gathered" is a versatile phrase that serves to express either the physical act of collecting or the mental act of inferring or understanding something indirectly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts but is also appropriate in scientific and formal communications. When using "I gathered", ensure that the context supports the meaning of indirect understanding, and consider alternatives like "I inferred" or "I collected" to be more precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I inferred

Focuses specifically on drawing a conclusion from evidence or reasoning.

I understood

Emphasizes comprehension and grasping the meaning.

I deduced

Suggests a more logical and reasoned conclusion based on available information.

I drew the conclusion

Focuses on the act of forming a judgement or opinion.

I collected

Highlights the action of accumulating or bringing things together.

I came to understand

Highlights the process of gaining understanding over time.

I assembled

Implies a more structured and organized collection of items or information.

I ascertained

Indicates finding something out for certain, often after investigation.

I surmised

Suggests forming an opinion or making a guess about something.

I picked up

Implies learning or noticing something, often casually.

FAQs

How can I use "I gathered" in a sentence?

You can use "I gathered" to express that you've understood something indirectly, like in "I gathered from his expression that he was unhappy". It can also mean you physically collected something, like in "I gathered the fallen leaves".

What's the difference between "I gathered" and "I collected"?

"I gathered" can imply both a physical collection and an understanding or inference. "I collected" primarily refers to physically bringing things together. Context determines the appropriate usage. The alternative "I collected" focuses on the physical action.

What can I say instead of "I gathered" when I mean 'understood'?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I inferred", "I understood", or "I deduced".

Is "I gathered" formal or informal?

"I gathered" is generally considered neutral in formality and appropriate for both formal and informal writing. The specific context will affect the impression of formality.