social gathering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "social gathering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an informal meeting of people, typically for the purpose of socializing and recreation. For example, "We're having a small social gathering at my house this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The dance was the new group's first social gathering.

The New York Times - Sports

'Being at the stadium is very much a social gathering.

The Guardian - Sport

"Waiting for the birds" is a full-fledged social gathering.

The New York Times

Wine flows at virtually any business, family or social gathering.

The New York Times

In Red Hook, "even a small social gathering over for dinner was a problem.

The New York Times

It was part religious ritual, part social gathering — and all politics.

The New York Times

"But I prefer to think of it as a social gathering rather than a business".

The New York Times

These served as social gathering places and as places to plan community affairs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Any boomer social gathering is cause to compare all of our fascinating little health-related glitches.

The New York Times

Is it just too tempting to consider how a big social gathering might go disastrously wrong?

The New York Times - Books

This is a literary social gathering for people who don't like readings and discussion groups.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "social gathering", consider the specific atmosphere and purpose to choose the most appropriate synonyms, such as "party" for celebratory events or "function" for formal occasions.

Common error

Avoid using "social gathering" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "conference", "symposium", or "meeting" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social gathering" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It refers to an event where people come together for social interaction. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "social gathering" is a versatile and commonly used noun phrase that refers to an event where people come together for social interaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. While it is generally neutral in tone, it is important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "social gathering" and more formal or specific alternatives like "meeting", "conference", or "party". Remember to be creative and choose the term that precisely reflects the nature of the event you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathering

A shorter and more general term for people coming together.

friendly get-together

Highlights the friendly and sociable aspect of the meeting.

get-together

Emphasizes a casual and informal meeting.

meet-up

Often used for informal gatherings organized online.

social event

Focuses on the structured and planned nature of the gathering.

social mixer

Suggests an event specifically designed for people to meet and socialize.

community gathering

Specifies that the gathering involves a group of people living in the same place.

party

Suggests a more festive and celebratory atmosphere.

convivial meeting

Highlights the friendly and lively atmosphere of the meeting.

function

Implies a formal or official event.

FAQs

How can I use "social gathering" in a sentence?

You can use "social gathering" to refer to any kind of event where people come together to socialize, for example, "The wedding reception was a large social gathering."

What's the difference between a "social gathering" and a party?

While both involve people coming together, a "social gathering" is a more general term. A party usually implies a more festive and celebratory occasion, while a social gathering can be any kind of "get together".

What are some synonyms for "social gathering"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "social event", "function", "meet up", or "community gathering".

Is "social gathering" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "social gathering" might be too informal for some academic or business contexts. Consider using more precise terms like "meeting" or "conference" in those cases.