The family gathered around the table.

Meaning: This sentence describes the family members coming together at the dining table for the meal.

Choice of Words: Gathered means to come together in one place, Family is a group of people related by blood or marriage, and Table is a piece of furniture with a flat top.

Alternative Expressions

The family assembled near the table.

Meaning: This sentence also means that the family members came together, but it doesn't specify that they sat around the table.

Choice of Words: **Assembled** means to come together in one place. **Near** means close to something. **Table** is a piece of furniture that people use to eat, work, or play games on.

The family congregated by the table.

Meaning: This sentence is similar to the first two, but it uses a more formal word, **congregated**, which means 'to come together in a group'.

Choice of Words: **Congregated** means to come together in one place. **By** means next to something. **Table** is a piece of furniture that people use to eat, work, or play games on.

Related Expressions