to gather on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to gather on" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used, and the intended context is unclear, making it difficult to determine when it could be appropriately used. Example: "We plan to gather on the weekend for a community event." (Note: "to gather" is correct, but "on" is not the right preposition here.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Renault and Nissan executives are planning to gather on Wednesday in Amsterdam for a routine operations meeting.

The New York Times

Mr. Tale-Yax's relatives and friends plan to gather on Wednesday at a small funeral home, La Fe, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, for a service.

The New York Times

That is also why Ag nanoparticles tend to gather on the tip positions of black Si surface in Fig. 3b, c.

Nanoscale Research Letters

They were thrilled to gather on Saturday morning and perform seven pieces for the CD.

Huffington Post

Human food causes plaque and tartar to gather on teeth, leading to periodontal disease.

WikiHow

They determined to gather on a regular basis.

The Economist

Later, reporters were allowed to gather on a platform.

The Guardian

The cardinals plan to gather on Monday to set the date for the conclave to begin.

The New York Times

A decision to gather on the roof of the town hall proved fateful for many.

The New York Times

The whole family used to gather on Saturday afternoons to watch televised horse racing.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You've got an intelligence agency fighting a war and a military organization trying to gather on-the-ground intelligence".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a location, use "at" or "in" instead of "on" with "gather". For example, use "gather at the park" or "gather in the auditorium".

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "gather" when referring to a location. "On" is typically used for surfaces or specific dates. For instance, avoid saying "gather on the beach" and instead use "gather at the beach" or "gather on the sand".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to gather on" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often intended to describe the location or circumstance of a gathering. However, Ludwig indicates that it's often misused, suggesting the need for a more appropriate preposition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to gather on" is an infrequently and often incorrectly used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically questionable and requires careful attention to context. While examples can be found in various sources, primarily "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki", it's crucial to consider more precise alternatives like "to gather at" or "to gather in" for clarity. Due to its ambiguity, avoiding "to gather on" in formal writing is advisable to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to meet at

Emphasizes the location where people come together, instead of the action of gathering itself.

to assemble at

Similar to 'meet at' but suggests a more formal or organized gathering.

to convene at

Implies a scheduled or official meeting at a specific place.

to congregate at

Highlights a spontaneous or unplanned gathering in a particular location.

to gather in

Suggests a gathering within an enclosed space or specific area.

to collect at

Focuses on the act of bringing things or people together at a place.

to flock to

Implies a large number of people moving towards a specific location.

to rally at

Describes a gathering for a specific cause or purpose.

to converge at

Emphasizes multiple entities coming together from different directions at a single point.

to cluster around

Indicates a close gathering around a central point or object.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "to gather on"?

Replace "on" with a more suitable preposition depending on the context. Use "at" for specific locations (e.g., "gather at the park") or "in" for enclosed spaces (e.g., "gather in the auditorium"). You may also consider "to meet at" as an alternative.

When is it appropriate to use "on" after the verb "gather"?

The preposition "on" is appropriate when indicating a surface or a specific date, but not generally when talking about locations. For example, "dust tends to gather on surfaces". Otherwise, replace with preposition "at" or "in".

What are some alternatives to "to gather on" when referring to a meeting?

Consider using phrases like "to assemble at", "to meet in", or "to congregate at" depending on the specific context and the type of gathering you are describing.

Is there a difference between saying "to gather at" and "to gather on"?

Yes, "to gather at" is generally correct when referring to a location or event (e.g., "to gather at the conference"). "To gather on" is less common and often grammatically incorrect in similar contexts. "On" typically refers to a surface or date.