to gather about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to gather about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrasal verb used to indicate that multiple people are coming together in or around one area, e.g. "Friends and family gathered about to celebrate the young couple's wedding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Crowds start to gather about a half-hour before.

The New York Times - Travel

The only information that the families had been able to gather about the kidnapped girls, he went on, was from the girls who had escaped.

The New Yorker

Another challenge is the amount of information one is supposed to gather about the hardware system before the installation commences - on sound and video cards, type and model of hard drive, and "IP, DHCP, and BOOTP addresses", among other things.

The Guardian - Tech

Less graphic is the advice offered in Lesson 10 on what information to gather about a target for assassination: his name, age and residence; his job and routes to work; how he spends his free time; the physician who treats him; the stores where he shops.

The New York Times

The success (and reliability) of the triggering phase is highly influenced by how much information one has been able to gather about the target.

A Guide to Kernel Exploitation Attacking the Core

To be sure, he'll still need to gather about 800,000 signatures to put it before the voters; and, even if it were successful at the ballot box, it could face opposition from federal authorities.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

About 14.1% of patients reported having used the Internet to gather information about their current ailment.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

In response, governments have tried to crack down or use this to gather information about dissidents.

The Economist

Its most urgent priority is to gather information about possible future attacks.

The Economist

WHY do retailers want to gather data about in-store shoppers' behavior and moods?

The New York Times

Police officers visited people with open warrants to gather information about Occupy Wall Street protests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to gather about" when describing a group of people or things coming together in a relatively close physical proximity. It often suggests a sense of anticipation or shared purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "to gather about" when the gathering is dispersed or lacks a clear central point. Opt for phrases like "to assemble" or "to meet" if the proximity is less defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to gather about" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the act of assembling or converging, often in a close physical proximity. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples show its use in describing crowds assembling or people collecting around a specific point or person.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to gather about" is a phrasal verb that describes the act of people or things coming together, often in a close physical proximity. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct. While not exceedingly common, it's found in various contexts including news, science, and general-interest writing. Related phrases include "to congregate around", "to assemble around", and "to rally around". When using "to gather about", ensure that the context involves a relatively tight grouping with a sense of anticipation or shared focus. Remember that it might sound slightly old-fashioned in very casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to congregate around

Focuses on assembling in a specific area, emphasizing a more formal or organized gathering.

to assemble around

Emphasizes a structured or purposeful coming together, often for a specific reason.

to rally around

Implies a gathering with a shared cause or purpose, often to show support.

to flock together

Suggests a spontaneous and often large gathering, similar to birds flocking.

to converge upon

Highlights the act of moving towards a single point from different directions.

to cluster around

Describes a close and often informal grouping, suggesting intimacy or proximity.

to swarm around

Implies a large, often uncontrolled gathering, sometimes with a sense of urgency or excitement.

to collect nearby

A more literal and less idiomatic way to describe people gathering in proximity.

to accumulate around

Suggests a gradual build-up of people or things in a specific area.

to group together

A basic and general way to describe people forming a group in close proximity.

FAQs

What does "to gather about" mean?

"To gather about" means to come together in a group, usually in a close physical proximity to someone or something. It suggests a sense of assembly or convergence.

What can I say instead of "to gather about"?

You can use alternatives like "to congregate around", "to assemble around", or "to rally around" depending on the context.

Is "to gather about" formal or informal?

The phrase "to gather about" is neither strictly formal nor informal. It's suitable for various contexts, but might sound slightly old-fashioned in very modern or casual settings.

How can I use "to gather about" in a sentence?

You can use "to gather about" to describe people coming together, such as "The children gathered about the storyteller to hear the tale" or "Fans gathered about the celebrity as they arrived".