“Gather them” means to bring them together or collect them. Here are some synonyms and their analyses:
1. Assemble them
- Meaning: To fit or put together the parts or people into a whole or into a group. For example, “The workers were asked to assemble the parts to build a new machine.” In the context of people, it could be “The event organizer tried to assemble them (the guests) in the main hall.”
- Usage difference: “Assemble them” often implies a more purposeful or organized act of bringing things or people together. It can suggest a systematic approach, like following a set of instructions or a plan to create a unified group or object. In contrast to “gather them,” which can be a more casual process of collecting, “assemble them” might involve more precision and a specific end - goal of creating a complete entity.
2. Collect them
- Meaning: To bring or gather together a number of things from different places or people. For example, “The postman had to collect the letters from the mailboxes.” In a more general sense, for people, it could be “The teacher tried to collect them (the students) after the recess.”
- Usage difference: “Collect them” emphasizes the act of retrieving or gathering things or people that are somewhat scattered. It can have a connotation of gathering similar items or individuals into one place. It's very similar to “gather them,” but it might be used more when there's an idea of bringing together a set of objects that belong to a particular category or come from different sources.
3. Round them up
- Meaning: To gather or herd together a group of people or animals, often with a sense of urgency or in a somewhat forceful way. For example, “The cowboy had to round up the cattle.” In a less literal sense for people, it could be “The security guards tried to round them up (the protesters) and move them to a different area.”
- Usage difference: “Round them up” implies a more active and sometimes forceful effort to gather a group. It often gives the impression of corralling or herding, as if the things or people being gathered are not easily or willingly coming together on their own. In comparison to “gather them,” it has a more assertive tone and is usually used when there's a need to quickly and effectively bring a group together.
4. Congregate them
- Meaning: To cause to come together in a group or crowd. For example, “The event's free food and music congregated them (the attendees) in the outdoor area.”
- Usage difference: “Congregate them” focuses on the result of people or things coming together in a group. It implies a natural or spontaneous gathering due to a shared attraction or purpose. In contrast to “gather them,” it might emphasize the social or collective aspect of the gathering and is often used to describe how a group forms around a particular focal point.
5. Amass them
- Meaning: To gather or accumulate a large quantity of something, usually over time. For example, “The hoarder tried to amass them (objects) in his small apartment.”
- Usage difference: “Amass them” emphasizes the accumulation of a large amount or a significant quantity. It often implies a process of gathering over an extended period and can give the sense of building up a substantial collection. In comparison to “gather them,” it has a stronger connotation of quantity and the idea of amassing wealth, resources, or a large number of objects.