account of yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "account of yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to provide a description or explanation of their personal experiences, background, or actions. Example: "In your application, please include an account of yourself that highlights your skills and experiences relevant to the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Over a period of time you work up an account of yourself and one day you find you even believe it.

The Guardian - Books

I have the privilege to witness the moment when you first have to give a good account of yourself to the outside world.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When you have shoveled tons of wet manure and broadcast it across 40 acres of stubble, you feel you have given a good account of yourself.

The New York Times

"When you work for 12 years to get a Test cap and give a good account of yourself, it's disappointing but it's not the worst thing I've had in my career," said the 29-year-old.

The Guardian - Sport

For example, "I am internationally recognised as an expert in my field" is arrogant, because you are making a bold claim and asking me to trust your account of yourself.

The Guardian

"Whenever you offer an account of yourself to others," Crosby writes, "you labor to present yourself as coherent and worthy of recognition and attention, as I am doing right now".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

What your article ultimately is, Mr. Dyson, is a poorly constructed euphemism for calling every white American a "white devil", topped off with a fascinating attempt at self-flagellation by casting yourself, on account of your race, as a sort of Christ-figure that is "cursed" to in existence around whites.

Huffington Post

Your instagram account is a reflection of yourself, so it's worth putting in the extra care to make it great.

Vice

If you have a more honest view of yourself, accounting for both your strengths, weaknesses, and inherent biases, you become a stronger person through the virtue of not needing to compete with anyone for the "top spot" that doesn't really exist.

Forbes

But, if you don't use much social media personally, or have a private Facebook account, or only show pictures of yourself going to church every Sunday and spending your free time feeding the homeless - the call for the job interview still doesn't come.

HuffPost

Account of the trial.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asked to provide an "account of yourself", focus on the most relevant experiences and skills for the specific situation. Tailor your narrative to the context.

Common error

Avoid providing a generic "account of yourself" that lacks focus. Always tailor your narrative to the specific audience and purpose to maintain relevance and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "account of yourself" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It directs the focus toward providing a description or explanation of one's personal history, experiences, and qualities, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "account of yourself" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that prompts a narrative or description of one's personal history and attributes. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is versatile, appearing in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to academic and professional settings. While alternatives like "personal narrative" or "self-description" exist, "account of yourself" maintains a neutral to formal register suitable for various self-representation scenarios. When employing this phrase, tailoring your narrative to the specific context and audience is key to creating a relevant and engaging self-portrayal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-description

A straightforward term for describing one's own characteristics.

presentation of yourself

Focuses on how one presents themselves to others.

personal narrative

Focuses on the storytelling aspect of describing oneself.

your own story

A more casual and conversational way to refer to one's life experiences.

personal history

Emphasizes the chronological aspect of one's life and experiences.

explanation of your background

Highlights the reasons and influences behind one's personal development.

personal profile

Mimics the style of a summary for job applications or online services.

autobiographical sketch

Suggests a brief overview of one's life, often used in formal contexts.

summary of your experiences

Highlights a concise overview of professional or life experiences.

self-portrait

Implies a more artistic or reflective depiction of oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "account of yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "account of yourself" when you need to provide a description or explanation of your personal experiences, background, or actions. For example: "In your application, please include an "account of yourself" that highlights your skills and experiences relevant to the position."

What's a more formal alternative to "account of yourself"?

More formal alternatives include "personal narrative" or "self-description". These options are suitable for professional or academic settings.

How does "personal narrative" differ from "account of yourself"?

"Personal narrative" emphasizes the storytelling aspect of describing oneself, while "account of yourself" is a more general term for providing information about oneself.

Is it appropriate to use "account of yourself" in a job application?

Yes, it is appropriate. Many job applications require a personal statement or a section where you provide an "account of yourself" to showcase your qualifications and experiences.