applied themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"applied themselves" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that someone has dedicated effort or focus to a task or activity. Example: "The students applied themselves to their studies to improve their grades." Alternative expressions include "dedicated themselves," "committed themselves," and "focused on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They applied themselves well".

The Guardian - Sport

They applied themselves to cheese.

The New York Times

Soon afterwards they applied themselves to their lunch.

The New Yorker

Marina was impressed with bubbles that "really applied themselves to the task of bubbling".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They have applied themselves, trained well and showed glimpses of their quality at times.

The Guardian - Sport

All applied themselves conscientiously, searching for a certainty that sometimes was not there.

The Guardian

"There is a group of athletes who applied themselves really well," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

They kept empty chatter to a minimum and applied themselves to the matters at hand.

The New York Times - Arts

I thought they applied themselves really well and showed a lot of bottle.

Independent

Because neither has excelled at, or even especially applied themselves to, Twenty20, but has preferred, instead, to toil in Tests.

The Guardian - Sport

Knowing they were being monitored and tracked in public, municipal workers also applied themselves more assiduously to their tasks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "applied themselves" to emphasize the consistent effort and dedication individuals or groups put into a task, especially when highlighting their commitment to improvement or success.

Common error

Ensure that when using "applied themselves", the subject and object are the same. Avoid saying "applied themselves to him" when you mean "applied something to him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "applied themselves" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of dedicating effort or skills to a task. As Ludwig confirms, it conveys that individuals or groups put in consistent work towards a specific goal. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, emphasizing dedication and commitment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "applied themselves" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It conveys dedication and effort toward a specific goal. The phrase is versatile, appearing across news, scientific, and business contexts. Ludwig's analysis indicates a neutral register, making it suitable for various communication styles. While numerous alternatives exist to convey similar meanings, "applied themselves" remains a direct and effective way to highlight commitment and diligence. Ludwig's examples confirm its widespread applicability and acceptance in diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicated their efforts

Focuses on the commitment of effort, highlighting a conscious decision to invest time and energy.

devoted their energies

Emphasizes the enthusiastic and complete allocation of energy toward a purpose.

committed themselves

Highlights a firm decision and pledge to pursue a goal with determination.

exerted themselves

Stresses the active use of effort and energy, often implying physical or mental strain.

threw themselves into

Indicates passionate and immersive involvement in an activity or task.

poured their heart into

Implies a deep emotional investment and sincere effort in an endeavor.

applied their skills

Focuses specifically on the utilization of abilities and expertise.

made every effort

Highlights the diligence and thoroughness in striving for a particular outcome.

worked diligently

Emphasizes the consistent and persistent nature of the effort applied.

labored assiduously

Highlights the intensity and persistence of effort in a formal or professional setting.

FAQs

How can I use "applied themselves" in a sentence?

Use "applied themselves" to show that people worked hard and dedicatedly to something. For example, "The students "applied themselves" to their studies."

What does it mean to say someone "applied themselves"?

Saying someone "applied themselves" means they worked hard and diligently, putting in the necessary effort to achieve a goal. It emphasizes their commitment and dedication.

What are some alternatives to "applied themselves"?

You can use alternatives like "dedicated their efforts", "committed themselves", or "threw themselves into", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "applied themselves" in formal writing?

Yes, "applied themselves" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to express that someone has worked diligently and with dedication, fitting well in business, academic, and news contexts.