challenge yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"challenge yourself" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It can be used to encourage someone to do something difficult, to take risks, or to take on a challenging task. For example: "If you want to grow as a person, you need to challenge yourself. Why not take a course on a new subject or explore a new hobby?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The motto of DukeEngage — "Challenge Yourself.

Duke University

The mission statement of DukeEngage, "Challenge Yourself.

Duke University

I Challenge yourself!

The Guardian

3. Challenge yourself.

The Guardian

Challenge yourself just enough.

Harvard Business Review

Ready to challenge yourself?

The New York Times

You've got to challenge yourself".

The New York Times - Health

Take Mr. Baker's challenge yourself today.

The New York Times

"You've got to challenge yourself," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

To be self-reliant and challenge yourself".

The New York Times

Now is the time to challenge yourself.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone to learn a new skill, use "challenge yourself" to inspire them to persevere through initial difficulties.

Common error

While motivational, avoid using "challenge yourself" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenge yourself" functions as an imperative, directly urging the listener or reader to take action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

22%

News & Media

47%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "challenge yourself" is a highly versatile and grammatically sound imperative phrase, frequently used to motivate and encourage personal growth across a wide range of contexts. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and utilized, especially in News & Media, Academia and Wiki sources. While adaptable, writers should use it thoughtfully to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement. Consider alternatives like "push your limits" or "stretch your boundaries" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

push your limits

This alternative focuses on exceeding current capabilities.

stretch your boundaries

Emphasizes expanding one's comfort zone and capabilities.

test your mettle

Implies facing trials to prove one's strength and resilience.

dare to be great

Focuses on ambition and aiming for significant achievements.

step out of your comfort zone

Highlights the act of leaving familiar routines and habits.

aspire to more

Suggests aiming for higher goals and greater accomplishments.

raise the bar

Involves setting higher standards and expectations for oneself.

endeavor to grow

Underscores the continuous effort towards personal development.

tackle new frontiers

Focuses on exploring uncharted territories and overcoming obstacles.

pursue excellence

Emphasizes the relentless pursuit of superior quality and skill.

FAQs

How can I use "challenge yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "challenge yourself" to encourage personal growth, for example, "To improve, "challenge yourself" with increasingly difficult tasks".

What does "challenge yourself" mean?

"Challenge yourself" means to push your limits, take on difficult tasks, and strive for personal growth.

What are some alternatives to "challenge yourself"?

Alternatives include "push your limits", "stretch your boundaries", or "test your mettle", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "challenge yourself"?

It is appropriate to use "challenge yourself" when encouraging someone to step out of their comfort zone and pursue personal or professional development.