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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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are yourself

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are yourself" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not usable as it stands, as it lacks proper context and grammatical structure. Example: "You should always be yourself."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

As long as you know that you are YOURSELF, you are successful.

You are yourself proof".

You are yourself, always.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Because none of the things are yourself, not really.

You are your area, rather than you are yourself.

News & Media

The New Yorker

As an artist or writer, you're much more your work than you are yourself".

For instance, you can't raise children to be more resilient to shame than you are yourself.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Be yourself--for real.

A) "Be yourself".

Better to be yourself.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"Your product is yourself.

News & Media

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone to be authentic, use "be yourself" instead of "are yourself".

Common error

Remember that "are" is a verb, so it needs to be paired with the appropriate subject. With the pronoun "yourself", use the verb "be" to form the correct imperative: "be yourself".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

74%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are yourself" is generally used in contexts where the intention is to encourage someone to be authentic and true to their nature. However, it's important to note, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, that it is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

43%

News & Media

43%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While frequently used, especially in informal contexts and online content, the phrase "are yourself" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct phrase is "be yourself". The intention behind using "are yourself" is usually to encourage someone to embrace their authentic self and to act naturally. It's vital to use "be yourself" in formal writing and speech to maintain grammatical accuracy while still conveying the intended message of authenticity and self-acceptance. Therefore, while the sentiment is positive, attention to grammatical correctness is key.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "are yourself"?

The grammatically correct phrase is "be yourself". It is an imperative phrase, directly instructing someone to act in accordance with their true nature.

What does "be yourself" mean?

It means to act naturally and in accordance with your true feelings and personality, instead of trying to imitate others or conform to expectations.

When is it appropriate to tell someone to "be yourself"?

It's appropriate when you want to encourage someone to relax, feel confident, and not worry about impressing others by being someone they're not.

Is "be true to yourself" the same as "be yourself"?

While similar, "be true to yourself" emphasizes aligning your actions with your core values, while "be yourself" is a more general encouragement to act naturally.

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Source & Trust

74%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: