confidence in himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confidence in himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's self-assurance or belief in their own abilities or qualities. Example: "Despite the challenges he faced, he maintained a strong confidence in himself, which helped him succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He has to have confidence in himself.

The New York Times

Then consider his unabashed confidence in himself.

The New York Times

Todd's confidence in himself was tested most.

The Washington Post

He now has belief and confidence in himself".

Independent

This pleased him and gave him confidence in himself.

The New Yorker

He has this great confidence in himself: 'Hey, I'm me.

The New Yorker

It's just a question of him keeping the confidence in himself.

The New York Times - Sports

As he gained confidence in himself and his craft, audiences responded positively to him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We knew that Mark believed in our team and certainly had confidence in himself.

The New York Times

For all the show, he had no great confidence in himself.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This may make him lose confidence in himself--and your relationship.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confidence in himself" when referring specifically to a male individual's self-assurance. For a female, use "confidence in herself". For a non-gendered context, consider "confidence in themselves" or "self-confidence".

Common error

Avoid using "confidence in himself" when referring to someone else's confidence in a different person. It should only be used when the subject's confidence is directed towards themselves. For example, it is incorrect to say, "John has confidence in himself that Mary will succeed." Instead, say, "John has confidence that Mary will succeed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confidence in himself" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the state of believing in one's own abilities or qualities. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confidence in himself" is a commonly used noun phrase to express a male individual's belief in his own abilities. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It is important to use the reflexive pronoun correctly and consider alternatives like "self-confidence" when a gender-neutral term is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-confidence

A general term for belief and trust in one's abilities and qualities.

self-assurance

Focuses on the certainty and reliance one has in their own abilities or qualities.

self-belief

Highlights the conviction and trust one places in their own potential and worth.

faith in his abilities

Emphasizes trust and reliance on his skills.

conviction in his capabilities

Stresses the strong belief in his capacity to achieve or perform.

assurance in his own competence

Highlights confidence derived from his skill set and knowledge.

trust in his own judgment

Focuses specifically on his reliance on his own decision-making skills.

belief in his potential

Emphasizes the positive expectation for future success and growth.

certainty about his skills

Highlights the unwavering conviction in his abilities to perform tasks effectively.

positive self-image

Focuses on a favorable perception and acceptance of oneself.

FAQs

How do I use "confidence in himself" in a sentence?

Use "confidence in himself" to describe a male individual's belief and trust in his own abilities or qualities. For example, "He demonstrated great "confidence in himself" when presenting the project."

What's a more general term for "confidence in himself" that applies regardless of gender?

You can use the term "self-confidence", which is a broader term that encompasses belief in one's own abilities without specifying gender. For example, "She showed a lot of self-confidence during the presentation."

Is it correct to say "confidence on himself" instead of "confidence in himself"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "confidence" when referring to oneself is "in". So, the correct phrase is ""confidence in himself"".

What are some other ways to express a similar idea to "confidence in himself"?

Alternatives include "self-assurance", "self-belief", or having "faith in his abilities", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.