What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
congregate
Example
The church members will congregate for Sunday service. [congregate: verb]
Example
The protesters will congregate at the city hall to demand change. [congregate: verb]
gather
Example
I need to gather all the necessary materials for the project. [gather: verb]
Example
The researchers will gather data from multiple sources to analyze the results. [gather: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gather is more commonly used than congregate in everyday language. Gather is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while congregate is less common and often associated with more formal or religious settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between congregate and gather?
While congregate is typically associated with more formal or religious settings, gather can be used in a wider range of contexts, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal situations.