applying oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "applying oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of dedicating effort and focus to a task or activity, often in the context of studying or working. Example: "To succeed in this course, it is essential that students are applying themselves fully to the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For some, the art of applying oneself to the task at hand with a zealous and unquestioning belief in the worth of working hard has become more about working longer hours to earn more money and to impress others.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Grades indicate either natural talent or the ability to apply oneself to learning certain skills that may not come naturally, and playing the game of school -- all are desirable qualities in one way or another.

Huffington Post

Worker motivation canbe understood as the degree of willingness to apply oneself to work and it occurs as a result of an interaction between individual, organizational and cultural determinants [ 28].

BMC Health Services Research

Help someone who wants help and is willing to apply oneself.

WikiHow

It was never a label that could possibly have been applied to oneself.

The Guardian - Opinion

One quick test, supported if not overtly recommended by Malignant Sadness, is to see whether the final lines of Robert Burton's "Abstract of Melancholy" apply to oneself: "Ile change my state with any wretch, / Thou canst from geale [jail] or dunghill fetch: / My paines past cure, another Hell, / I may not in this torment dwell, / Now desperate I hate my life, / Lend me an halter or a knife.

The Guardian - Books

Aristotelian essentialism, if correct, applies to oneself as well as to other things in the world.

SEP

In Evolution as Entropy, we suggested that neo-Darwinism had become a sociological label one applied to oneself in order to be considered acceptably mainstream.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Using findings from social cognition, they argued that clothing styles might prime specific mental categories about one's self such that those categories that are most easily accessed in a given situation would be more likely to be applied to oneself than categories of information that are difficult to access.

Fashion and Textiles

There are different subcultures, different authoritative structures, labels, and identities that one could apply to oneself.

Huffington Post

Being a peacemaker can go a long way in learning-thus-teaching negotiation skills, as well as understanding that management also applies to oneself.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "applying oneself" to emphasize the act of dedicating effort and focus to a specific task or goal. It is particularly effective when highlighting the importance of diligence and commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "applying oneself" when a simple transitive verb like "applying effort" would suffice. The reflexive form is most appropriate when the subject is both the actor and the recipient of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "applying oneself" functions as a present participle within a sentence, often acting as a verbal adjective or part of a continuous verb tense. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "applying oneself" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that emphasizes dedication and effort towards a goal. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing. Related phrases include "dedicating oneself" and "committing oneself". While the phrase is generally straightforward, be mindful of the reflexive nature to ensure correct usage. The Ludwig examples highlight that "applying oneself" stresses a commitment that contributes to achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicating oneself

Focuses more on the commitment aspect.

committing oneself

Similar to dedicating, but implies a stronger sense of obligation.

exerting oneself

Emphasizes the effort and energy expended.

applying effort

More general, focusing on the application of effort rather than self.

focusing one's efforts

Highlights the concentration of efforts.

concentrating one's attention

Emphasizes mental focus.

devoting oneself

Implies a complete dedication of time and energy.

investing oneself

Suggests a personal investment in the task or goal.

throwing oneself into

Implies enthusiasm and energy but is more informal.

getting down to business

Idiomatic and informal, suggesting a serious start to work.

FAQs

How to use "applying oneself" in a sentence?

You can use "applying oneself" to describe the act of dedicating effort and focus to a task, as in "To succeed, one must focus on "applying oneself" diligently to their studies".

What can I say instead of "applying oneself"?

You can use alternatives like "dedicating oneself", "committing oneself", or "exerting oneself" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "applying oneself" or "applying themselves"?

"Applying oneself" is used when the subject is singular, while "applying themselves" is used when the subject is plural. For instance, "The student is applying oneself", but "The students are applying themselves".

What's the difference between "applying oneself" and "applying effort"?

"Applying oneself" implies a personal dedication and focus, whereas "applying effort" simply refers to the act of putting in work. "Applying oneself" may involve emotional and mental investment in addition to physical effort.