boasts about

USAGE SUMMARY

"boasts about" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone bragging or speaking highly of themselves or their accomplishments. Here is an example sentence: "I can't stand the way he always boasts about his expensive car and designer clothes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The certificate that Ali Enterprises boasts about is considered the most prestigious in the industry.

The New York Times

He boasts about it.

The New York Times - Magazine

New Mexico's Bill Richardson boasts about cutting taxes.

The Economist

But nobody boasts about you-know-what.

The Guardian - Travel

The character of Sam boasts about her multiple arrests.

The New York Times

One of Steve Jobs's first boasts about the iPad screen?

The New York Times - Magazine

He boasts about watching porn before playing big matches.

Independent

South Africa's Katlego Mphela boasts about his fitness.

Independent

In fact, he boasts about his misuse of English.

The New York Times - Style

Trump frequently boasts about his good health and stamina.

The Guardian

Practically every day, Trump boasts about the market's performance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "boasts about" when you want to convey a sense of pride and self-promotion, but be mindful of the potential negative connotation of arrogance or excessive bragging. It is best suited when referring to specific achievements or qualities.

Common error

While "boasts about" is acceptable in many contexts, it can sound informal or boastful in formal or academic writing. Consider using phrases like "highlights", "emphasizes", or "takes pride in" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "boasts about" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of expressing excessive pride or satisfaction in something. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in describing someone talking proudly about their achievements or possessions. The phrase typically requires a subject (who is boasting) and an object (what they are boasting about).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "boasts about" is a verb phrase used to describe someone who speaks with excessive pride about their accomplishments or possessions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it can sometimes carry a negative connotation of arrogance and may be less suitable for formal or academic writing where alternatives like "highlights" or "emphasizes" might be more appropriate. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase how the phrase is used to describe individuals, organizations, and even places that are promoting themselves with pride.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brags about

Focuses more directly on the act of bragging, often implying excessive pride.

shows off

Implies a visual or demonstrative way of displaying something with pride.

flaunts

Suggests displaying something ostentatiously, often something valuable or impressive.

takes pride in

Highlights the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment associated with something.

touts

Emphasizes publicizing or promoting something, often for commercial purposes.

talks up

Implies promoting something through conversation, often enthusiastically.

glorifies

Elevates something to a position of great honor or admiration.

exaggerates the importance of

Suggests inflating the significance or value of something.

is proud of

Directly expresses a feeling of satisfaction and achievement.

makes much of

Indicates emphasizing or giving importance to something, sometimes excessively.

FAQs

How can I use "boasts about" in a sentence?

You can use "boasts about" to describe someone who speaks with excessive pride about something they have achieved or possess. For example: "He "boasts about" his high grades all the time."

What can I say instead of "boasts about"?

You can use alternatives like "brags about", "shows off", or "takes pride in" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "boasts about" or "is proud of"?

While both phrases express a positive sentiment, ""boasts about"" often carries a connotation of arrogance or excessive pride, whereas "is proud of" is generally seen as more humble and genuine.

What's the difference between "boasts about" and "touts"?

"Boasts about" implies self-promotion, while "touts" usually refers to promoting something, often a product or service, to others. Touting is less about personal pride and more about advertising.