What are the definitions of “gather up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To collect or bring together.
Janet quickly gathered up her books and left the classroom.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “gather up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb gather up is to collect or bring together various items or people. It can be used to describe the action of picking up scattered objects or assembling a group of people.
What are the different verb forms of “gather up”?
| Root Verb | gather up |
| Third Person Singular Present | gathers up |
| Present Participle | gathering up |
| Simple Past | gathered up |
| Past Participle | gathered up |
Example
Please gather up your belongings before leaving the room.
Example
She gathers up her children for dinner every evening.
Example
He is gathering up all the papers on the table.
Example
Yesterday, they gathered up all the toys in the playroom.
Example
The leaves in the yard were gathered up and put into bags.
What kind of phrasal verb is “gather up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“gather up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She gathered up her clothes from the floor.
Example
He gathered the papers up and put them in a folder.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“gather up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She gathered up her clothes from the floor.
Example
He gathered the papers up and put them in a folder.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “gather up”?
To collect and organize data or facts about a specific topic.
Example
The detective gathered up information about the suspect's whereabouts.
Good things to know
Does “gather up” have an informal or formal tone?
Gather up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as business meetings or academic discussions.
