believe myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "believe myself" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It can be used in contexts where someone is expressing self-confidence or self-acceptance, but it is more typical to use "believe in myself." Example: "After years of doubt, I finally learned to believe myself and trust my instincts."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

I'm not even sure I believe myself.

The New York Times

I am not the person I believe myself to be.

The New York Times

"When I'm on stage, I don't believe myself," she says.

The Guardian

"I don't believe myself, I can't believe it's me.

The New York Times

I also believe myself lucky to be in this industry.

The Guardian - Opinion

For my part, I believe myself responsible to God for my acts and not to man.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

I never believed myself.

The Guardian - Film

On that day I had believed myself invisible.

The New Yorker

Against several odds, I believed myself a lucky person.

The New Yorker

I have never believed myself to have psychic powers.

The New Yorker

Maybe it's a story I believed myself.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "believe myself" when you want to emphasize a self-assessment or a particular understanding you have of yourself.

Common error

Avoid using "believe myself" when the intended meaning is general self-confidence. The phrase "believe in myself" is usually the clearer and more accepted choice in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believe myself" functions as a reflexive construction where the subject performs and receives the action. It expresses a specific conviction or assessment about oneself, which, according to Ludwig AI, can be less common and potentially awkward.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "believe myself" isn't grammatically incorrect, it is considered less common and can sometimes sound awkward, as Ludwig AI points out. It often signifies a specific self-assessment or a personal conviction about one's capabilities rather than a general sense of self-confidence. The more commonly accepted alternative is "believe in myself", which is generally clearer. When using "believe myself", be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately conveys your intended meaning. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, suggesting a neutral register but requires careful usage to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believe in myself

This is a more standard and commonly used phrasing to express self-confidence.

trust myself

Focuses on relying on one's own judgment and abilities.

have faith in myself

Emphasizes a strong belief in one's capabilities, often in challenging circumstances.

am convinced of my abilities

This conveys a strong and certain belief in one's skills.

am confident in my own abilities

Highlights self-assurance and belief in one's competence.

regard myself as

Describes the act of considering oneself to be something.

consider myself to be

Similar to 'regard myself as', but slightly more formal.

view myself as

Expresses how one perceives their own identity or role.

deem myself

A more formal way of saying 'consider myself'.

perceive myself

Refers to how one sees or understands oneself.

FAQs

How does "believe myself" differ from "believe in myself"?

"Believe myself" often implies a specific self-assessment or understanding, whereas "believe in myself" generally conveys self-confidence or trust in one's abilities.

Is it grammatically correct to say "believe myself"?

While not incorrect, "believe myself" is less common and can sound awkward. It's more frequently used in specific contexts where you are reflecting on a personal conviction or self-perception. Ludwig AI notes that the phrase is not commonly used and may sound awkward.

When is it appropriate to use "believe myself" in a sentence?

Use "believe myself" when you are talking about a specific belief you hold about yourself or your capabilities, rather than general self-confidence. For instance, "I believe myself capable of handling this project".

What are some alternatives to "believe myself" that sound more natural?

More natural alternatives include "trust myself", "have faith in myself", or "believe in myself", depending on the intended meaning.