avail yourself of

USAGE SUMMARY

"avail yourself of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to encourage someone to take advantage of an opportunity or resource. Example: "Please avail yourself of the resources available in the library." Alternative expressions include "take advantage of" and "make use of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

College campuses are designed to respond to student needs, but the irony is, if you're feeling down, you are least likely to bein the frame of mind to avail yourself of all the services available to you.

The New York Times

"I don't think it is appropriate for an organisation to say to their staff or presenters that you cannot avail yourself of a legal remedy that is available by law," Nazareth added.

The Guardian

And avail yourself of the vast pool of information available online, she told HuffPost.

Huffington Post

If, however, you are unable to avail yourself of a copy of the 8-PAGE PULLOUT (not, alas, available online), fear not.

The Guardian - Books

Avail yourself of it.

The Guardian - Film

"Avail yourself of what is".

The New York Times

You can avail yourself of a seat-tracking app.

The New York Times - Travel

And be ready to avail yourself of local medical expertise.

The New York Times - Travel

Avail yourself of one of the magnifying glasses.

The New York Times

There's a peculiar, faintly illicit sensation when you consciously avail yourself of someone else's pet word.

The New Yorker

It is almost as if, if you have the opportunity, you must avail yourself of it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure the reflexive pronoun matches the subject of the sentence; for example, 'they should avail themselves' or 'she should avail herself'.

Common error

A frequent mistake is omitting the reflexive pronoun and saying 'avail of the opportunity'. In standard English, the verb 'avail' requires a reflexive object (yourself, himself, ourselves, etc.) followed by the preposition 'of'.

How to use

Learn how to use "avail yourself of" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avail yourself of" serves as a reflexive verb phrase combined with a prepositional complement. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a formal instruction or recommendation to utilize a specific resource. It requires a reflexive pronoun that agrees with the subject and the preposition 'of' to introduce the object of the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki & How-to

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Travel & Lifestyle

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "avail yourself of" is a refined and grammatically sound reflexive construction widely endorsed by Ludwig AI for formal writing. It is most effective when used to invite someone to use a service, resource or opportunity. While it may feel overly traditional for casual conversation, its prevalence in high-quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian proves its enduring value in professional English. Remember that the reflexive pronoun (yourself, themselves, etc.) and the preposition 'of' are mandatory components for standard usage. If you find the construction too heavy, alternatives like "take advantage of" provide a more direct and contemporary feel while retaining the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take advantage of

The most common and versatile equivalent suitable for both casual and formal contexts.

make use of

A neutral alternative that emphasizes the practical utility of a resource.

capitalize on

Suggests turning a specific opportunity or situation to one's distinct benefit.

utilize

A slightly more technical or formal synonym that focuses on the act of using something.

leverage

Common in business contexts to describe using an existing asset to achieve a greater result.

benefit from

Shifts the focus slightly to the positive outcome received from the resource.

draw upon

Suggests using a specific pool of information, knowledge or inner strength.

exploit

Can carry a negative connotation but is used neutrally to mean making full use of a resource.

seize

Much more active and urgent, implying taking an opportunity quickly.

turn to

Implies seeking help or resources from a specific source when needed.

FAQs

How do I use "avail yourself of" in a sentence?

You can use it to suggest using a resource, such as 'Please "avail yourself of" the free technical support offered by our team'.

What is a formal synonym for "avail yourself of"?

A highly formal alternative is to "make use of" or "utilize" depending on whether you are talking about an opportunity or a physical tool.

Is it correct to say "avail of" without "yourself"?

While common in some regional dialects like Indian or Irish English, in standard British and American English, you must include the reflexive pronoun to be grammatically correct. Use "take advantage of" if you want a shorter phrase.

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

The primary difference is register; "avail yourself of" is considerably more formal and traditional, whereas "take advantage of" is the standard idiom for general usage.