consider themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consider themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used to suggest an opinion or assessment that someone has made about themselves. For example, "The students considered themselves to be quite skilled in math."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They consider themselves Americans.

The New York Times

They consider themselves lucky.

The Economist

They consider themselves religious.

The New York Times - Magazine

They might consider themselves lucky.

The Economist

But they consider themselves pioneers.

The New York Times

"They consider themselves spiritual soldiers".

The New York Times

They consider themselves a family product.

The New York Times - Magazine

They said they consider themselves brothers.

The New York Times - Sports

They consider themselves warriors of life.

The New York Times

And they consider themselves the lucky ones.

The New York Times

Lots of people consider themselves good spellers.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consider themselves" when you want to express a subjective assessment or belief that a group or individuals hold about themselves, rather than an objective fact.

Common error

Avoid using singular pronouns with "consider themselves" when referring to a group. It should be "they consider themselves", not "he considers themselves".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consider themselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating how a group or individuals perceive or define themselves. It expresses a subjective assessment rather than an objective truth, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "consider themselves" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey how individuals or groups perceive themselves. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates a subjective assessment or belief. Predominantly found in News & Media, its usage spans across various contexts, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure pronoun agreement and understand that it expresses a self-held view rather than an objective truth. Alternatives such as ""regard themselves as"" or "view themselves as" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regard themselves as

Emphasizes the act of viewing oneself in a particular way, highlighting perception.

view themselves as

Focuses on the mental image or perspective individuals have of themselves.

deem themselves to be

Implies a formal or considered judgment about their own qualities or status.

think of themselves as

Highlights the internal thought process and self-identification.

perceive themselves as

Focuses on how individuals understand or interpret their own identity or characteristics.

conceive of themselves as

Emphasizes the mental construction and understanding of their own identity.

see themselves as

A more direct and observational way of expressing self-perception.

self-identify as

Highlights the act of declaring or claiming a particular identity.

define themselves as

Implies a deliberate and conscious act of establishing their identity.

recognize themselves as

Emphasizes the acknowledgment and acceptance of a particular identity or role.

FAQs

How to use "consider themselves" in a sentence?

Use "consider themselves" to describe a belief or opinion that a group or individuals hold about their own identity, abilities, or status. For example, "The team members "regard themselves as" highly skilled professionals".

What can I say instead of "consider themselves"?

You can use alternatives like ""regard themselves as"", "view themselves as", or "deem themselves to be" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "consider themselves" or "considers themselves"?

"Consider themselves" is correct when referring to a plural subject (e.g., they, the students). "Considers themselves" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "consider themselves" and "see themselves as"?

"Consider themselves" implies a more thoughtful assessment, while "see themselves as" suggests a more straightforward perception. The nuance lies in the level of reflection involved.