What is gather? Pronunciation and usage in English

gather means . Learn how to pronounce and use gather through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of gather

gatherverb

/ˈɡaðə/
Definition & pronunciation of gather

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "gather" in English. There are a couple of common ways, and both are accepted! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈɡæðər (This is what you'll hear most often in the US)
    • ˈɡæ - This is the stressed syllable. Pronounce it like "gah" - like the beginning of "garden". The "a" sound is a little bit more open than in words like "cat".
    • ðər - This is the unstressed syllable. Pronounce it like "thuh" – a soft "th" sound (like in "this").

2. The British English Pronunciation:

  • ˈɡɑːðər (This is more common in the UK)
    • ˈɡɑː - This is the stressed syllable. Pronounce it like "gahth" – similar to the American pronunciation but with a slightly longer "a" sound.
    • ðər - This is the unstressed syllable. Pronounce it like "thuh".

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the Stress: The first syllable ("gah") is always stressed. This is the most important thing to get right.
  • The "th" Sound: The "th" in the second syllable is a soft "th" - don't pronounce it as a hard "t" or "d".
  • Listen to Examples: The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce gather" on Google and listen to the audio results.
    • YouTube: Many videos demonstrate the pronunciation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYg0Lq_C96U (This is a good American example)

To help me tailor my response even more, would you like me to:

  • Focus on a specific accent (American vs. British)?
  • Provide more detailed phonetic transcription (using the International Phonetic Alphabet)?

Usage and examples with the word gather in English

Let's break down how to use the word "gather" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. To Collect (Physical Items):

  • Meaning: This is the most common understanding. It means to bring things together in one place.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to gather my things before we leave." (collecting belongings)
    • "The children gathered leaves and twigs to build a fairy house." (collecting natural materials)
    • "She gathered all the scattered papers on the floor." (collecting loose items)
    • "Farmers gather crops at the end of the harvest season." (collecting produce)

2. To Assemble (People):

  • Meaning: To bring people together in one place.
  • Examples:
    • "The students gathered in the classroom for the lecture." (assembled)
    • "The crowd gathered outside the stadium to see the concert." (assembled)
    • "Let’s gather around the fireplace to tell stories." (assembled for a gathering)

3. To Learn or Obtain Information:

  • Meaning: To collect information through observation, research, or conversation. This is often used in the phrase "gather information."
  • Examples:
    • "I gathered that she was unhappy from her body language." (deduced information)
    • "Scientists gather data by conducting experiments." (collecting research)
    • "He gathered information from his colleagues about the project." (obtaining information)
    • "She gathered clues about the mystery from the books she read.” (collecting details)

4. To Become Concentrated (Liquid/Substance):

  • Meaning: This is a less common usage, but important to know. It describes the process of a liquid or substance becoming thicker or more concentrated.
  • Examples:
    • "The milk gathered at the bottom of the carton." (became thicker)
    • "Honey gathers in the honeycomb." (became concentrated)

5. (Phrasal Verbs - Very Common!)

"Gather" is frequently used in phrasal verbs, which change its meaning and usage. Here are a few common ones:

  • Gather up: To collect quickly and forcefully.
    • “He gathered up his scattered books.”
  • Gather speed: To increase speed.
    • “The car gathered speed as it drove down the highway.”
  • Gather momentum: To build speed or intensity.
    • “The movement gathered momentum after the protests.”

Here's a summary table:

Meaning Example
Collect (things) "Gather your pencils."
Assemble (people) "Gather the team for a meeting."
Obtain Information "I gathered that he was tired."
Become Concentrated "The sugar gathered at the bottom."
Phrasal Verbs "Gather up the toys." "Gather speed"

Tips for Using "Gather" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand the intended meaning.
  • Synonyms: Consider synonyms like "collect," "assemble," "obtain," or "learn."
  • Verb Forms: "Gather" can be used as a verb (the action) and a noun (the act of gathering). For example: "The act of gathering was enjoyable."

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "gather" in? (e.g., writing a story, a formal essay, a conversation?)

Synonyms for the word gather

Idioms of the word gather

collect/gather dust
to not be used for a long time
  • Play your guitar that's gathering dust, or pull out the old tennis racket for a match.
  • You may already have an old laptop that is collecting dust but otherwise usable.
a rolling stone gathers no moss
(saying)a person who moves from place to place, job to job, etc. does not have a lot of money, possessions or friends but is free from responsibilities

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