declared himself to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"declared himself to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe an instance in which someone expressed their identity during a speech, for example: "The mayor declared himself to be a lifelong supporter of the city's public library system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each declared himself to be a true Kansas conservative.

The Economist

From the get-go, Carl P. Paladino declared himself to be the "mad as hell" candidate.

The New York Times

However, he has since declared himself to be "honoured" by the title.

Independent

Gerhard had declared himself to be a Zionist, and was openly preparing for emigration to Palestine.

The New Yorker

He declared himself to be against any referendum that would threaten the stability of the establishment.

The New York Times

Council Speaker Gifford Miller declared himself to be a hands-in-pockets kind of guy.

The New York Times

Yet he declared himself to be "excited" by the prospect and I believe that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cameron has now declared himself to be a "one-nation" Tory, committed to the maintenance of the union.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some will undoubtedly recollect that Winter later declared himself to be an independent and was expelled from the Labour party.

The Guardian

Not content with being a mere anti-Christ, Richard Dawkins has now declared himself to be the anti-Santa.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Mal declared himself to be "bored stiff" with the easy readers, Elspeth encouraged him to write a novel.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declared himself to be" when you want to emphasize a formal or public announcement of someone's identity, belief, or status.

Common error

Avoid using "declared himself to be" in informal or casual situations. Simpler phrases like "said he was" or "identified as" are more appropriate for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declared himself to be" functions as a declarative expression, indicating a public or formal avowal of a particular identity, stance, or characteristic. This use is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples from reputable sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "declared himself to be" serves as a formal way to indicate someone's public assertion of their identity, belief, or status. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. It's best used in neutral to formal settings, as supported by authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. When writing, consider alternative phrases for informal settings and focus on using "declared himself to be" to convey a deliberate and public announcement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

announced himself as

Focuses more on the act of making a formal announcement rather than an ongoing state.

proclaimed himself

Emphasizes a more public and often formal declaration.

identified himself as

Highlights the act of self-identification, which can be broader than a declaration.

professed to be

Indicates a claim or assertion, often with a nuance of potential insincerity.

represented himself as

Focuses on the image or role someone projects, rather than a direct declaration of identity.

asserted that he was

Highlights the act of stating something confidently and forcefully.

presented himself as being

Emphasizes the manner in which someone portrays themself.

avowed himself to be

Suggests a more solemn or formal acknowledgement of a belief or identity.

purported to be

Implies a claim that may or may not be true.

styled himself as

Focuses on adopting a specific title or persona.

FAQs

How can I use "declared himself to be" in a sentence?

Use "declared himself to be" to indicate a formal or public announcement of someone's identity, belief, or status. For example: "The candidate "declared himself to be" a strong supporter of education reform".

What are some alternatives to "declared himself to be"?

Alternatives include "announced himself as", "proclaimed himself", or "identified himself as", depending on the context.

Is "declared himself to be" formal or informal?

"Declared himself to be" is generally considered a formal phrase, best suited for news articles, official statements, or academic writing.

What's the difference between "declared himself to be" and "said he was"?

"Declared himself to be" implies a more formal and deliberate announcement, while "said he was" is a more neutral and general statement. Use "declared himself to be" when the context involves an official declaration.