to gather information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to gather information" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of collecting data or facts for a specific purpose, such as research or decision-making. Example: "The first step in our project is to gather information about the current market trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We can begin to gather information.

The New York Times - Sports

Only then can you begin to gather information systematically.

The New Yorker

The method used to gather information was survey.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

A questionnaire was designed to gather information from responders.

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

It is furthermore possible to gather information about the fracture network structure by conducting transient measurements.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Encourage students to use all available resources to gather information for each topic.

The New York Times

At the same time, our ability to gather information by overt means also remains inadequate.

The New York Times

So I made it my mission while in Vientiane to gather information.

The New York Times - Travel

After Mexico, Stoll began to gather information: "Let's figure out the nutrition; let's write to people.

The New Yorker

A state uses the power of law to gather information about its citizens.

The New York Times

"However, the right does not carry with it the unrestrained right to gather information".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing research papers, use "to gather information" to clearly state the intent of your research methods section.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who is gathering the information. For example, instead of "Information was gathered," write "The researchers gathered information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to gather information" serves as an infinitive phrase, often acting as an adverbial of purpose, explaining the reason for an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As an infinitive, it modifies verbs to indicate the goal or intention behind them.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to gather information" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that indicates the act of collecting data or knowledge for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific research. For more formal or technical writing, alternatives like "to obtain information" or "to acquire data" might be more appropriate. It's also important to avoid passive voice constructions that obscure who is performing the action of gathering, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to get the facts

Emphasizes the process of uncovering and verifying factual information, often in response to a specific question or need.

to collect data

Focuses specifically on collecting data, which implies a more structured and methodical approach than simply gathering.

to do the research

Underscores the methodical aspect of information gathering, implying a formal study or investigation.

to obtain knowledge

Emphasizes acquiring knowledge, suggesting a deeper understanding rather than just amassing facts.

to acquire intelligence

Suggests gathering secret or strategic information, typically in a security or competitive context.

to pull information

Suggests retrieving or extracting information from a source, often with some effort or difficulty.

to accumulate facts

Highlights the process of gradually building up a collection of facts over time.

to compile findings

Implies organizing and summarizing information that has already been discovered or investigated.

to ascertain details

Focuses on confirming or establishing specific details with certainty.

to learn the ropes

Refers to gaining practical experience or understanding through instruction or observation, often in a new role or environment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to gather information" in a research context?

In a research context, you can use more formal alternatives like "to collect data", "to compile findings", or "to conduct research" for a more precise and academic tone.

Is "to gather information" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "to gather information" is generally appropriate, but for highly formal contexts, consider using phrases like "to obtain information" or "to acquire data" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's a more specific alternative to "to gather information" when referring to intelligence?

When referring to intelligence or secret information, consider using "to acquire intelligence" or "to collect intelligence" to emphasize the covert nature of the information gathering.

What are some informal ways to say "to gather information"?

Informally, you could say "to get the facts", "to find out", or "to do some digging", depending on the context and the level of detail involved.