a self-professed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a self-professed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who openly claims a particular identity, belief, or characteristic, often without external validation. Example: "He is a self-professed expert in digital marketing, often sharing his insights on social media."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Confessions of a self-professed Casanova.

The New Yorker

Arnold was a self-professed workaholic.

The Guardian - Arts

Celerie Kemble, an interior designer, is a self-professed chameleon.

The New York Times - Style

They are a self-professed slow-fashion business.

The Guardian

A self-professed obsessive cook, she occasionally throws dinner parties for her fellow grad students.

Cornell University

A self-professed workaholic, she blamed the pressure of her job as a hospital claims processor.

The New York Times - Health

The enthusiasm of Mr. Maizy, a self-professed ?lo (ecological supporter), is contagious.

The New York Times

How best to tell a self-professed fake-tan addict that orange isn't hot?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

its almost like we elected a self professed sexual predator 😷.

Huffington Post

On Monday, presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke to a self professed "conservative Christian" group.

Huffington Post

Fiction: Confessions of a self-professed Casanova.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a self-professed" to clearly indicate that someone is openly identifying with a particular trait or belief, especially when that identification might be subjective or lack external validation.

Common error

While useful, "a self-professed" can become repetitive. Vary your writing by using synonyms like "a self-declared" or rephrasing the sentence to avoid the direct construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a self-professed" functions as an adjective modifying a noun, indicating that someone openly declares themselves to be something. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a self-professed" is a commonly used adjective phrase to indicate that someone openly declares themselves to be something, as validated by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and academic contexts. While useful, avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "a self-declared" to add variety to your writing. When using the phrase, remember that it often implies a subjective or potentially unverified claim. The prevalence and variety of examples in Ludwig confirm its broad applicability and acceptance in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A self-declared

Focuses on the act of declaring oneself, similar to professing.

A self-proclaimed

Emphasizes the act of claiming a title or characteristic for oneself.

One who professes to be

Rephrases the sentence structure to highlight the act of professing.

Someone who claims to be

Uses "claims" instead of "professes", indicating a similar assertion.

An avowed

Suggests an open and declared commitment or belief.

A confessed

Highlights admitting to a particular trait or behavior.

One who asserts they are

Focuses on the act of asserting a specific identity.

A self-styled

Implies that the person has adopted a particular style or identity themselves.

One who identifies as

Focuses on self-identification with a particular group or characteristic.

A purported

Indicates that something is claimed to be true, whether or not it actually is.

FAQs

How do I use "a self-professed" in a sentence?

Use "a self-professed" before a noun to describe someone who openly claims to be something, for example, "He is "a self-professed expert" in the field."

What's the difference between "a self-professed" and "a self-proclaimed"?

"A self-professed" generally implies a declaration of belief or identity, while "a self-proclaimed" often suggests a more assertive, potentially dubious claim to a title or status.

What can I say instead of "a self-professed"?

You can use alternatives such as "a self-declared", "an avowed", or "someone who claims to be" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "a self-professed"?

No, sometimes the "self-professed" part is implied. For instance, instead of saying "He is "a self-professed artist"", you might simply say "He is an artist" if his self-identification is already clear.