join a gathering

USAGE SUMMARY

"join a gathering" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are describing an event or gathering that someone could attend or be a part of. For example, "We will be having a gathering this weekend, if you would like to join us, please feel free."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Please join a gathering to call for the opening of the floodgate".

The New York Times

In the first scene Raoul is invited by the Count de Nevers, a Catholic, to join a gathering at the count's chateau.

The New York Times - Arts

As far as I know they were the first cemetery board to do so, but they join a gathering wave of universities, churches and synagogues, city governments and pension funds.

The Guardian - Opinion

The London production, directed by John Fuljames, was framed by a conceit in which figures representing Scott and Rossini join a gathering of Scottish aristocrats to summon a fantasy of Highland life; the lead characters step out of display cases and enact the drama.

The New Yorker

Sadly, I was supposed to see him four weeks ago but I opted not to join a gathering of old friends.

Los Angeles Times

As a rule, people who join a gathering to which they have not been invited try to go unnoticed; they don't draw attention to themselves; they keep a low profile and try to blend in.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

On March 9, Donald Emmerson joined a gathering of Stanford University students for an exploration of contemporary Southeast Asia, and its place in the world.

Stanford University

"Six police cars and a civilian car surrounded my house on Friday 21 April to issue me with a summons for investigation, where I charged with joining a gathering in Duraz, and like other human rights defenders I have been banned from travel by the public prosecution so we can't attend the UPR".

Huffington Post

Mr. Mieses had driven down from Massachusetts, where he lives, to join a large gathering of motorcyclists whose rides across the city are a regular Sunday occurrence.

The New York Times

In the cultural immersion aspect of the trip, they are planning to join a daily gathering in the stadium across the street where they are staying to practice yoga or some sort of group exercise that happens every night.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Ann and I sat at the table for an hour maybe, talking about the fun things we had done -- throwing snowballs off the roof, going to Andrew Lloyd Webber, trips to the Glacier Park when he was vice president, afterwards going to Greece with him for 10 days when he invited us to join a family gathering," Simpson said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When inviting someone to an event, use "join a gathering" to create a welcoming and inclusive tone.

Common error

Avoid using "join a gathering" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "attend", "participate", or "be part of" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "join a gathering" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of becoming a member of a group assembled for a particular purpose. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts, affirming its role in expressing participation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "join a gathering" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, indicating the action of becoming part of a group assembled for a specific purpose. Ludwig's AI confirms this, and the examples show that it is most commonly used in news and media, academia, and wiki contexts. While relatively neutral, consider formality when choosing synonyms like "attend a meeting" or "participate in an event". Be mindful to vary your language to avoid redundancy. The frequency of this term is uncommon, suggesting that while correct, it's not the most frequently used phrase in all writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attend a gathering

Focuses on the act of being present at the event.

participate in a gathering

Emphasizes active involvement rather than just presence.

be part of a gathering

Highlights belonging and inclusion within the group.

take part in a gathering

Similar to "participate", but can imply a more formal setting.

get together with a group

Informal phrasing emphasizing the social aspect.

be present at a gathering

Simply indicates physical presence, lacking implication of interaction.

flock to a gathering

Suggests a large number of people arriving enthusiastically.

mingle at a gathering

Focuses on interacting socially with others present.

assemble at a gathering

Emphasizes the act of coming together, often in a formal context.

frequent a gathering

Implies regularly attending such events.

FAQs

What does it mean to "join a gathering"?

To "join a gathering" means to become part of a group of people who have come together for a specific purpose, such as a meeting, social event, or demonstration.

What can I say instead of "join a gathering"?

You can use alternatives like "attend a gathering", "participate in a gathering", or "be part of a gathering" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "join in a gathering"?

While not strictly incorrect, "join a gathering" is more common and natural-sounding. "Join in" typically refers to an activity within the gathering.

How formal is the phrase "join a gathering"?

The phrase "join a gathering" is relatively neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "attend an assembly" may be more appropriate in certain situations.