mustered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mustered" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of gathering or assembling something, often in the context of courage, strength, or resources. Example: "She mustered all her courage to speak in front of the large audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Requiring a score in excess of 400 to preserve their survival prospects they had mustered 103.

The Guardian - Sport

They have also mustered the fewest shots on target (31).

The Guardian - Sport

Carl Soderberg scored his first NHL goal and Tuukka Rask made 21 saves for the Bruins, who mustered only one shot on goal in the first period.

The Guardian - Sport

Fourth-placed Monaco, who won 3-1 atArsenalrsenal in the Champions League in midweek, were largely solid in defence in recording a ninth clean sheet in their past 10 league games but mustered only one shot on target.

The Guardian - Sport

They lifted in the second half after a lacklustre effort in the first in which they mustered just one goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Hodgson was prickly through his post-match media duties and was particularly infuriated when it was pointed out his team had mustered only two shots on target: the penalty and a shot from the substitute Danny Welbeck, which was saved by Orjan Haskjold Nyland.

The Guardian - Sport

San Jose basically mustered up a reserve squad due to Chris Wondolowski, Clarence Goodson, Nana Attakora, Marvin Chavez all being at the Gold Cup; add in Lenhart recovering from those head lacerations, Bernardez and Salinas sitting out due to suspensions (the latter was sat due to the MLS disciplinary committee's decision about an elbow to Keane).

The Guardian - Sport

Back to full strength, Sevilla mustered a revival before half-time that yielded a penalty for Carlos Bacca to convert after Ramos had fouled Aleix Vidal.

The Guardian - Sport

It turned out that it was not just the prime minister who had his work cut out that week, as No 10 went into "meltdown" – in the words of one senior Downing Street source – as the full (peaceful) force of the British state was mustered to save the union.

The Guardian

The last time the Portland Timbers came to town, Chivas mustered a mere 5,123 fans.

The Guardian - Sport

After the late 1970s (when he mustered a band of Jacobins around him) he seemed to need no faction, having enough tea-fuelled energy for several men.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mustered" when you want to emphasize the effort or difficulty involved in gathering or assembling something, especially courage, resources, or support.

Common error

Avoid using "mustered" when a simpler word like "gathered" or "collected" would suffice. Overusing "mustered" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mustered" is as a verb, typically used in the past tense or as a past participle. Ludwig AI confirms its use to describe the act of gathering or assembling something, often with effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mustered" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that signifies the act of gathering or assembling something, often with the implication of effort or determination. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts such as news, formal business, and academic writing, indicating a versatile and widely accepted term. When using "mustered", ensure that it appropriately conveys the effort involved in gathering, and consider simpler alternatives like "gathered" or "collected" if the context doesn't warrant the emphasis. This ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathered

Implies a collection or bringing together of things or people, often in a more passive or less forceful way than "mustered".

assembled

Suggests a more formal or organized gathering, often for a specific purpose.

summoned

Indicates a calling together, often implying authority or urgency.

rallied

Focuses on bringing people together for a common cause or purpose, often after a period of disarray.

mobilized

Implies preparing and organizing resources or people for action, often on a large scale.

marshaled

Suggests arranging or organizing resources or arguments effectively.

accumulated

Focuses on gradually collecting or gathering something over time.

amassed

Implies collecting a large quantity of something, often resources or wealth.

scraped together

Suggests gathering something with difficulty or effort, often implying scarcity.

conjured up

Implies creating or summoning something, often intangible like courage or memories, as if by magic.

FAQs

How can I use "mustered" in a sentence?

You can use "mustered" to describe gathering resources, support, or courage. For example, "She "mustered" all her strength to finish the race" or "The team "mustered" enough votes to win the election".

What are some alternatives to "mustered"?

Alternatives to "mustered" include "gathered", "assembled", "summoned", or "rallied", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "mustered up courage"?

Yes, "mustered up courage" is a common and correct usage. It emphasizes the effort involved in finding and using courage.

What is the difference between "mustered" and "accumulated"?

"Mustered" implies a more active and deliberate gathering, often for a specific purpose or in response to a need. "Accumulated", on the other hand, suggests a gradual gathering over time. You "muster" support for a cause, but accumulate wealth.