Meaning trap
put together
synthesize ideas
To combine information, arguments, or perspectives from various sources to create a coherent and persuasive whole, especially in writing, presentations, or discussions.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To combine information, arguments, or perspectives from various sources to create a coherent and persuasive whole, especially in writing, presentations, or discussions.
'put together' also has the more basic meaning 'assemble'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- She put together a compelling argument by drawing on research from several disciplines.academic
- In order to achieve a high band score, candidates must put together a well-structured essay that synthesizes information from multiple sources.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: put together + argument/report/analysis/case
WrongShe put together them into a strong case.
RightShe put them together into a strong case.
With a pronoun, split the verb: 'put them together', not 'put together them'.
Patternput together + argument/report/analysis/case
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Put together' naturally describes combining ideas into a whole; 'synthesise perspectives' is academic.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
put together + ideasthe argumentsa casethe evidencedifferent views
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B1 sense ('assemble' physical objects) or the B2 sense ('prepare or organize' events or things), this sense focuses on the intellectual process of combining ideas or arguments, not physical items or event planning.
Related
- put together (assemble) — 'put together' also has the more basic meaning 'assemble'; this is the advanced sense.