dedicating oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dedicating oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a commitment or devotion to a particular task, cause, or goal. Example: "She is dedicating herself to improving her skills in order to achieve her career aspirations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Now comes the real moment of marriage: dedicating oneself to a partnership of fallen beings, "for better or for worse," in full sight of the worse.

The New Yorker

Believing in this possibility — no matter how slim — and dedicating oneself to playing a meaningful role in the struggle to make it a reality focuses one's energy and attention in an unusual way.

The New York Times - Books

Francis changed that almost overnight by showing how radically challenging it could be if a world leader tried to put into practice the basic precepts of the Christian gospel — dedicating oneself fully to task of loving and caring for others — and doing so with genuine joy.

The New Yorker

Is the exile self imposed by dedicating oneself to making effigies?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Unless one dedicates oneself to the intense study of both languages equally, it cannot be said that one is bilingual.

The New York Times

Vow, sacred voluntary promise to dedicate oneself or members of one's family or community to a special obligation that goes beyond usual social or religious requirements.

Britannica

A male sociologist told me to forget about pursuing family life because to dedicate oneself to the sociologists calling was a full-time endeavor (unless, of course, one had a wife).

University of California, Berkeley

As Nussbaum (1990, p. 328) puts it, "The choice between one potential love and another can feel, and be, like a choice of a way of life, a decision to dedicate oneself to these values rather than these"; liking clearly does not have this sort of "depth".

SEP

Meyers distinguishes episodic or local autonomy the capacity to decide in particular situations from programmatic autonomy, which is the capacity to decide major life issues (e.g., whether to be a mother, or whether to dedicate oneself to the pursuit of a career).

SEP

Although the outlook seems bleak, as the vast majority of people not directly affected by the war will quickly forget about Iraqis and the veterans, I take heart in the incredible human capacity for empathy with the "other," and the will to dedicate oneself to achieving justice.

Huffington Post

The time dedicated to oneself can also be an effective outlet to process and prepare for the day as well as to take time just for oneself.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dedicating oneself", ensure that the object of dedication is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "She is dedicating herself", specify "She is dedicating herself to learning a new language".

Common error

Avoid using "dedicating oneself" without specifying what one is dedicating themselves to. This can leave the reader wondering about the focus of the dedication. Always clarify the object or purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dedicating oneself" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to describe the act of committing or devoting oneself to a particular purpose, task, or ideal. Ludwig shows examples where it modifies a verb, expressing the action of committing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dedicating oneself" is a grammatically correct and usable gerund phrase that conveys a strong sense of commitment to a specific purpose or activity. Ludwig shows that it is most frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, with a neutral to formal register. To ensure clarity, it's important to explicitly state what one is dedicating themselves to. Alternatives include "committing oneself" or "devoting oneself". Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing dedication in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

committing oneself

Focuses on the act of pledging oneself to a task or goal.

devoting oneself

Emphasizes the allocation of time and energy to a specific purpose.

applying oneself

Highlights the effort and focus one puts into a particular endeavor.

applying oneself diligently

Similar to "applying oneself" but adding the component of perseverance to the main meaning.

throwing oneself into

Suggests a more enthusiastic and immersive approach to dedicating oneself.

immersing oneself in

Implies a deep and thorough involvement in a particular activity.

engrossing oneself in

Highlights the absorbing nature of the activity one dedicates oneself to.

occupying oneself with

Focuses on the filling of one's time and attention with a specific activity.

busying oneself with

Suggests a state of being actively engaged and occupied with a particular task.

giving oneself over to

Implies a surrender or full commitment to a particular activity or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "dedicating oneself" in a sentence?

You can use "dedicating oneself" to describe someone committing time and effort to a specific cause or goal. For example: "She is "committing oneself" to environmental conservation."

What are some alternatives to "dedicating oneself"?

Alternatives include ""committing oneself"", "devoting oneself", or "applying oneself", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "dedicating oneself" or "devoting oneself"?

Both "dedicating oneself" and "devoting oneself" are correct, but "dedicating" often implies a formal commitment, while "devoting" can suggest a more emotional or personal investment.

What's the difference between "dedicating oneself" and "applying oneself"?

"Dedicating oneself" implies a broader commitment to a cause or activity, while "applying oneself" focuses more on the effort and diligence one puts into a specific task or goal.