contain myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contain myself" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to control or restrain one's emotions or excitement. It is typically used in situations where one is strongly affected by something but is trying to maintain composure. For example, "I could barely contain myself when I found out I got the job promotion." This sentence means that the person was very excited about the job promotion, but they were trying to control their excitement and remain composed. Another example, "The students were so rowdy and energetic that the teacher could hardly contain herself." This sentence means that the teacher was struggling to control her emotions and maintain discipline in the classroom due to the students' high energy levels.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

I couldn't contain myself".

The New York Times - Sports

I could hardly contain myself".

The New York Times

I could barely contain myself.

The New York Times

But I'll try to contain myself.

The Guardian - Film

I was barely able to contain myself".

The Guardian

"I had to contain myself walking out," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"I contained myself," Bret Boone said.

The New York Times - Sports

That's why I contained myself.

Vice

"I'm really not sure how I contained myself; at some points I just blacked out.

Vice

He also put out a really dumb song called "Champions" and operates a "media group" whose website contains a chat room that, when I decided to check it out, contained, myself included, exactly one member.

Vice

I contained myself when an officer opened the stall as I was using the toilet and stared down at me, claiming he thought I was smoking and needed to check.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing intense emotions, use "contain myself" to convey the struggle between feeling and outward expression. For example, "I could barely "contain myself" when I heard the news" effectively portrays both excitement and restraint.

Common error

Avoid using "contain myself" when describing situations where control is unnecessary or irrelevant. Saying "I "contain myself" from eating breakfast" implies a deliberate act of restraint that likely doesn't exist. Instead, use it when there's a genuine urge to express or act out an emotion or desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contain myself" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of restraining or controlling one's emotions or behavior. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples demonstrate its usage in expressing the management of internal impulses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contain myself" is a verb phrase used to express the act of restraining one's emotions or actions, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media. When using "contain myself", remember to do so in scenarios of genuine restraint and avoid passive situations. Related phrases include "control myself" and "restrain myself", each carrying slightly different nuances. As Ludwig's examples showcase, this phrase is a powerful tool for conveying both the presence of strong feelings and the effort to manage them effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control myself

Focuses on the act of controlling one's actions or emotions.

restrain myself

Highlights the act of holding back or limiting one's behavior.

hold back my emotions

Specifically refers to suppressing emotional expression.

keep my composure

Emphasizes maintaining a calm and steady demeanor.

keep a lid on it

An idiomatic expression for suppressing excitement or anger.

keep my feelings in check

Highlights the act of monitoring and managing one's feelings.

bite my tongue

Specifically refers to refraining from speaking.

curb my enthusiasm

Emphasizes reducing one's level of excitement.

swallow my pride

Refers to suppressing one's ego or sense of self-importance.

keep myself in line

Focuses on adhering to expected standards of behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "contain myself" to describe the act of restraining or controlling your emotions or actions. For example, "I could barely "contain myself" when I saw my favorite celebrity" or "She had to "contain herself" from laughing during the serious meeting".

What does it mean to "contain oneself"?

To "contain oneself" means to exercise self-control, especially in the face of strong emotions or impulses. It suggests an effort to maintain composure and avoid excessive reactions. It's similar to saying you are able to "control myself".

Which is more appropriate: "contain myself" or "control myself"?

Both "contain myself" and "control myself" are valid, but they carry slightly different connotations. "Contain myself" often implies holding back a strong emotion or reaction, while "control myself" suggests a more general act of managing one's behavior or actions.

What are some synonyms for "contain myself"?

Some synonyms for "contain myself" include "restrain myself", "hold back my emotions", "keep my composure", and "keep my feelings in check", depending on the specific context.