comforting myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comforting myself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of providing oneself with comfort or solace during difficult times or emotional distress. Example: "After a long day, I find myself comforting myself with a warm cup of tea and a good book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"But even though I'm comforting myself, telling myself this is her, I still don't feel cheerful.

The New York Times

With the Pill to prevent conception, IVF to encourage it and HRT for the menopause, the womb to tomb ambitions of Big Pharma have been realised Feeling both ridiculous and dejected I booked an appointment at the exclusive Mayfair address, comforting myself that at least I could buy his hair products democratically from his range on sale at Marks & Spencer.

The Guardian - Books

They asked streams of questions, many of which I could not adequately answer, comforting myself that it was the curiosity behind the questions that really mattered.

Huffington Post

I'm too focussed on comforting myself as my heart races during an upsetting ascent/descent to worry about some sweaty old freak gripping onto the arm rests, reclining back and forth to quell the tsunami of lost lunch brewing in their throat.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"How do I comfort myself?" he asked.

The New York Times

When I heard that he was gone, I comforted myself by dipping into his work.

The New Yorker

Sometimes I comforted myself with this thought: hadn't Laurie Odell also been a loner?

The New Yorker

I comforted myself by contemplating a final Joycean greeting-card idea.

The New York Times - Magazine

At each location, I take photographs — I collect information, images to organize, to comfort myself.

The New Yorker

But I comfort myself with the fact that Leveson, as it progresses, will be reported.

The Guardian

I wrote to comfort myself; you could go so far to say, as a form of therapy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comforting myself", ensure the context clearly indicates that the action of comforting is directed towards oneself. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "comforting myself" when the intention is to comfort someone else. Ensure that the reflexive pronoun "myself" accurately reflects that the action is directed at the speaker.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comforting myself" functions as a gerund phrase, where "comforting" is a gerund (a verb form acting as a noun) and "myself" is a reflexive pronoun indicating the action is directed back to the subject. Ludwig indicates that this is a valid construct, commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comforting myself" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express the act of providing oneself with comfort or solace. As Ludwig highlights, it appears predominantly in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the reflexive pronoun "myself" accurately reflects the self-directed nature of the comforting action. Consider alternatives like "soothing myself" or "consoling myself" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soothing myself

Focuses on the calming aspect of providing comfort.

giving myself comfort

Adds emphasis that you are the actor of giving comfort.

consoling myself

Emphasizes alleviating grief or disappointment.

solacing myself

Focuses on finding comfort in a time of grief or loneliness.

reassuring myself

Highlights reducing one's own doubts and fears.

appeasing myself

Implies satisfying one's own needs or desires for comfort.

taking solace

A more formal way of saying finding comfort.

finding comfort

A general way of expressing obtaining comfort.

calming my nerves

Specifically addresses reducing anxiety.

treating myself

Can imply self-comfort through indulgence.

FAQs

What does "comforting myself" mean?

"Comforting myself" refers to the act of providing oneself with solace, reassurance, or relief from distress, sadness, or discomfort.

Are there synonyms for "comforting myself"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "soothing myself", "consoling myself", or "reassuring myself" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "comforting myself" grammatically correct?

Yes, "comforting myself" is grammatically correct. It uses the gerund form of the verb "comfort" followed by the reflexive pronoun "myself", indicating that the action is directed back to the subject.

How can I use "comforting myself" in a sentence?

You can use "comforting myself" in sentences such as, "After a stressful day at work, I was "comforting myself" with a cup of tea and a good book," or "I found myself "comforting myself" with familiar songs after hearing the bad news."