I let myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I let myself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you allowed yourself to experience or do something, often in a personal or emotional context. Example: "I let myself enjoy the moment, forgetting all my worries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I let myself be chastised.

The New Yorker

I let myself sink.

The New York Times - Magazine

I let myself fly.

The New York Times - Travel

I let myself out.

The New Yorker

I let myself down.

The New York Times - Sports

"I let myself hope, I let myself believe what people were saying and that was silly.

Independent

"Today, I let myself play my game.

The New York Times - Sports

"I felt I let myself down today.

The New York Times - Sports

I let myself out the front door, into the street.

The New Yorker

"I feel like I let myself down," he said.

The New York Times

"I got fat and I let myself go.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I let myself" to express a conscious decision to allow yourself to experience something, especially when overcoming internal resistance or external constraints.

Common error

In formal writing, consider using more precise verbs like "permitted", "allowed", or a more specific action verb instead of relying on "I let myself" which can sometimes sound too informal or passive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I let myself" functions as a verb phrase where "let" is the main verb indicating permission or allowance, and "myself" is the reflexive pronoun indicating that the subject and object are the same. This construction is often used to describe a conscious decision to permit oneself an action or feeling. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I let myself" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used phrase that expresses a conscious decision to permit oneself to experience or do something. As validated by Ludwig, it is versatile and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider more formal alternatives like "I allowed myself" or "I permitted myself" in professional writing. Understanding these nuances will help you use the phrase effectively and appropriately in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I permitted myself

Formal alternative emphasizing explicit allowance.

I allowed myself

Similar in meaning, but slightly more formal than the original.

I indulged in

Focuses on giving in to a desire or pleasure.

I gave in to

Highlights a yielding or surrender to something.

I yielded to

Similar to "gave in to", but implies a more passive acceptance.

I opened myself up to

Emphasizes receptiveness and vulnerability.

I exposed myself to

Highlights vulnerability or risk.

I risked

Highlights the potential danger associated with the action.

I took the liberty of

Expresses a certain freedom to do something possibly unexpected.

I decided to

Focuses on the decision-making process rather than permission.

FAQs

How can I use "I let myself" in a sentence?

You can use "I let myself" to express allowing yourself to experience or do something. For example, "I let myself relax after a long week" or "I let myself dream about the future."

What phrases are similar to "I let myself"?

Similar phrases include "I allowed myself", "I permitted myself", or "I indulged in", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I let myself"?

Yes, "I let myself" is grammatically correct. "Let" is used as a verb meaning to allow or permit, and "myself" is the reflexive pronoun.

What's the difference between "I let myself" and "I made myself"?

"I let myself" implies permission or allowance, while "I made myself" suggests forcing or compelling oneself. For example, "I let myself cry" indicates allowing the emotion, whereas "I made myself finish the project" implies forcing oneself to complete it.