bends in on itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bends in on itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that curves or folds back upon itself, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The path through the forest bends in on itself, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue as you walk deeper into the woods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Instead of soaring straight up into the sky, the building bends in on itself, describing a giant wonky square in the sky – a continuous loop of TV studios, offices, and other facilities that reconfigures the typical top-to-bottom relationships of the traditional office building.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In Scotland, predictably, it was the windiest day of the year and the screen spent the entire movie flexing and bending in on itself.

The Guardian - Film

If the long struggle we have committed to against radicalism and terrorism, which requires constant vigilance, does not fail to permanently change our ways of being, it might push us to become what the enemies of freedom want us to become: a people bent in on itself, close to others, barricaded behind walls of increasingly draconian laws, month to month, year after year.

Huffington Post

I wanted to find out the truth about a man who clogged the memory of every Motorola Razor in the land between 2005-2009, but every lead, every crumb of information bent back on itself in an ever more complex, ever more frustrating net of hearsay and speculation.

Vice

If the light were bent back on itself, in a hairpin shape, the refractive index would be negative.

The Economist

On the second day, the depleted, gelatinous mess had attached itself to the floor of the petri dish; its tentacles were bent in on themselves.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pretzel offered a ride design with sharp turns that bent in on themselves like a pretzel and could turn small spaces into an immersive experience.

Vice

In moments of true repentance, when we cease to be bent in on ourselves, in the midst of something akin to us I believe that we can fall in love the outward world and hear God speaking in our hearts.

Huffington Post

This is squarely the fault of a government bent on tearing itself in two.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here was the theorists' answer: according to Einstein's general theory of relativity, gravity is simply warped space-time -- bends in the brane on which this universe resides.

The New York Times - Health

Under Western and Israeli pressure, and amid mounting lawlessness, what is left of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and Gaza seems bent on tearing itself to bits.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bends in on itself" to vividly describe physical shapes or abstract concepts that turn inward, creating a sense of enclosure or self-reference.

Common error

Avoid using "bends in on itself" when a different reflexive pronoun (himself, herself, themselves) is more appropriate based on the subject. Ensure the pronoun correctly reflects the subject performing the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bends in on itself" functions as a descriptive prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to indicate a direction or shape. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bends in on itself" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase that vividly describes something curving or folding back toward its origin. While relatively rare, it appears in reputable news sources like The Guardian. Ludwig confirms this, marking its function as descriptive with a neutral register. Related phrases include "folds back on itself" or "curves inward". When using this phrase, ensure the reflexive pronoun correctly reflects the subject. If a writer wants to use an alternative, "turns in on itself" is a valid alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

folds into itself

Similar to 'folds back on itself', but focuses on the final state.

folds back on itself

Emphasizes the action of folding or doubling over.

curves inward

Focuses on the action of curving towards the inside.

turns back on itself

Highlights the reversal of direction.

doubles back

Suggests a return to a previous point or state.

loops back

Implies a circular path returning to the starting point.

involutes

A more technical term for curving inward in a spiral fashion.

spirals inward

Specifies a spiraling motion toward the center.

recurves

Emphasizes a repeated or reversed curve.

retroverts

Suggests turning backward or inside out.

FAQs

What does "bends in on itself" mean?

The phrase "bends in on itself" describes something that curves or folds back towards its origin or center, creating a loop or enclosed shape. It can be used literally to describe physical objects or figuratively to describe abstract concepts.

Can I use "turns in on itself" instead of "bends in on itself"?

Yes, "turns in on itself" can be a suitable alternative, depending on the specific context. It conveys a similar meaning of something redirecting back towards itself.

Is "bends in on itself" grammatically correct?

Yes, "bends in on itself" is grammatically correct. It uses a verb ("bends") with a prepositional phrase ("in on itself") to describe the direction of the bending action.

What are some synonyms for "bends in on itself"?

Some synonyms include "folds back on itself", "curves inward", or "loops back". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.