avail oneself of

USAGE SUMMARY

"avail oneself of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to taking advantage of an opportunity or resource. Example: "You should avail yourself of the training sessions offered by the company." Alternative expressions include "take advantage of" and "make use of."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He studied logic with both Peripatetic and Stoic teachers, and recommended to avail oneself of parts of either doctrine, as long as it could be used for scientific demonstration.

SEP

It was said that to avail oneself of this defence is time-consuming, expensive and uncertain of outcome.

The Guardian

There are somewhat private and comfortable listening and viewing stations where one can avail oneself of the library's resources, or just take a nap.

The New York Times

For budding gastro-tourists and first-time visitors to Asia, Singapore is the perfect city to avail oneself of a broad spectrum of culinary delights without straying too far from the familiar.

The New York Times - Travel

Many of the views discussed to this point imply that current marriage law is unjust due to arbitrarily excluding some groups from benefits; it follows, on such views, that marrying is to avail oneself of privileges unjustly extended.

SEP

However, for the sake of conciseness and perspicuity, it is advisable to look forward and to avail oneself of certain concepts introduced by later mathematicians as they tried to make sense of Riemann's proposal.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Any mishap which might occur from availing oneself of such a convenience does not render the store liable under the principles of strict products liability.

Harvard University

As Devitt points out (1991b: 46) availing oneself of this way of talking does not entail that one sees the metaphysical issue of realism as 'really' a semantic issue about the nature of truth (if it did, any question about any subject matter would turn out to be 'really' a semantic issue).

SEP

Smart schools will avail of themselves of this information without delay and include students, faculty, and staff in their efforts.

Huffington Post

Waiters in restaurants now feel free to avail of us of their stance on, say, the Khashoggi affair.

Los Angeles Times

The banks were quick to avail of the advantages of the Internet.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "avail oneself of" in formal writing when you want to sound sophisticated and emphasize the act of deliberately taking advantage of something beneficial.

Common error

Avoid using "avail oneself of" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "take advantage of" or "use" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avail oneself of" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It indicates the action of taking advantage of an opportunity or resource. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts, from academic writing to news articles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avail oneself of" is a formal idiomatic phrase that means to take advantage of an opportunity or resource. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and primarily used in scientific, academic, and news contexts. While less common than alternatives like ""take advantage of"" or "make use of", it adds a touch of sophistication to formal writing. Remember to avoid overuse in casual settings and consider using simpler alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take advantage of

Less formal and more direct than "avail oneself of".

make use of

Neutral in tone and focuses on the utility of something.

utilize

More formal and emphasizes the practical application of a resource.

employ

A more formal way of saying "use".

capitalize on

Focuses on turning a situation into an advantage.

exploit

Implies using something for one's own benefit, sometimes with a negative connotation.

leverage

Often used in business contexts to mean using something to maximum advantage.

draw on

Suggests using something as a source or resource.

profit from

Emphasizes the gain or benefit received.

harness

Implies controlling and directing something for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How to use "avail oneself of" in a sentence?

The phrase "avail oneself of" is used to indicate that someone is taking advantage of an opportunity or resource. For example, "Students should "take advantage of" the library's resources and avail oneself of the learning environment."

What can I say instead of "avail oneself of"?

You can use alternatives like ""take advantage of"", "make use of", or "utilize" depending on the context. The best choice depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "avail oneself of" or "avail themselves of"?

"Avail oneself of" is used when referring to a singular, non-gendered individual. "Avail themselves of" is used when referring to a plural subject or when using gender-neutral language for a singular individual. For example, "Each student should avail themselves of the opportunity."

What is the difference between "avail oneself of" and ""take advantage of""?

While both phrases mean to make good use of something, "avail oneself of" is more formal and suggests a deliberate and conscious decision to use a resource or opportunity. "Take advantage of" is more general and can sometimes imply a less formal or even opportunistic approach.