considering themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considering themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how individuals perceive or categorize their own identity or status in relation to a particular group or situation. Example: "Many people are considering themselves part of a larger movement for social change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Countries made declarations of independence and started considering themselves independent".

The Guardian

Considering themselves engaged rather than married, they are still sleeping apart.

Independent

Rather than considering themselves as junior partners, the Italians are scouting for buying opportunities to rev up their global strategy.

The Economist

To escape the Luftwaffe's onslaught, both were evacuated to Motherwell and grew up considering themselves Scottish, with accents to match.

Independent

They are sticking to a vision of the past, in the sense of considering themselves lords over the people".

The New York Times

There's one that I've been trying to apply, which is about a person considering themselves as dead.

The Guardian - Film

While considering themselves part of the Israeli mainstream, many say they are not certain about Ariel's future, their anxiety compounded by the renewal of peace talks.

The New York Times

"People are spending two to four years in this industry and considering themselves to be seasoned veterans," said David A. Troll, a recruiter in Manhattan.

The New York Times

The proportion is even higher in secure training centres (STCs), which hold young people between 12 and 18 years old, with 12% considering themselves Gypsy, Romany or Traveller.

The Guardian

Many millennials don't even want to be identified as such, with 60% not considering themselves to be part of the "millennial generation".

The Guardian

"Intellectuals who were not used to considering themselves Jewish are now doing so," said Olivier Nora, the publisher of the Éditions Grasset et Fasquelle publishing house.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "considering themselves" when you want to emphasize the active process of self-identification or self-categorization. It highlights that the individuals are consciously evaluating their position or status.

Common error

Avoid using "considering themselves" when the subject is not plural or when the action is not reflexive. For example, it's incorrect to say "He is considering themselves a leader" because the subject is singular. The correct form is "He is considering himself a leader."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considering themselves" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a larger clause. It describes a group's active process of self-perception or self-identification. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

38%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "considering themselves" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the active process of self-perception or self-identification. As supported by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While it maintains a neutral register, its usage can add nuance to descriptions of subjective evaluations. Remember to use it when the subject is plural and the action is reflexive to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding themselves

A more formal synonym, replacing "considering" with "regarding" to denote a similar act of self-assessment.

viewing themselves

Focuses on the act of perceiving or seeing oneself in a particular way, rather than a deliberate act of evaluation.

perceiving themselves

Highlights the subjective experience of how one understands their own identity or status.

deeming themselves

Implies a more authoritative or decisive judgment about oneself.

believing themselves to be

Emphasizes the internal conviction or faith in a particular self-concept.

identifying as

Commonly used to describe how individuals align themselves with specific groups or categories.

thinking of themselves as

A more casual way of expressing self-perception, suggesting a less formal evaluation.

seeing themselves as

Similar to "viewing themselves", but with a slight emphasis on the subjective perspective.

representing themselves

Focuses on how individuals present themselves to others, rather than their internal self-perception.

portraying themselves

Implies a conscious effort to create a specific image of oneself.

FAQs

How to use "considering themselves" in a sentence?

"Considering themselves" is used when a group of people or entities are actively evaluating or identifying their own position or status. For instance, "The students are considering themselves ready for the exam", or "The companies are considering themselves leaders in innovation".

What can I say instead of "considering themselves"?

Alternatives to "considering themselves" include "regarding themselves", "viewing themselves", or "perceiving themselves", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "considering themselves" formal or informal?

"Considering themselves" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in various contexts, from news articles to academic papers. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "considering themselves" and "identifying as"?

"Considering themselves" implies a thought process of self-evaluation, while "identifying as" suggests a more definitive alignment with a particular group or category. For example, someone might "consider themselves" experienced, but "identify as" a member of a political party.