deprive themselves of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deprive themselves of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where individuals choose to give up or forgo something that they could otherwise have. Example: "Many people deprive themselves of sleep in order to meet work deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

What if they deprive themselves of it?

The New York Times

I don't think the Nepalese government should deprive themselves of an income.

The Guardian

But people with this condition can dangerously deprive themselves of needed nutrients.

The New York Times

Eventually, politicians had the maturity to deprive themselves of the right to make decisions about money supply.

Independent

Of all the creatures in the animal kingdom, the book argues, humans are the only ones to "deliberately deprive themselves of sleep for no sound reason," Walker says.

University of California, Berkeley

They will work harder, deprive themselves of every comfort and luxury, make beasts of burden of their women, and stick together, making a combination that America cannot defeat".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

No one feels good after depriving themselves of sleep.

Harvard University

His killers have now deprived themselves of the contributions that Chris would have made.

The New York Times

As a result, they caused unnecessary divisions and deprived themselves of valuable talent.

The New Yorker

They also tried rolling fingernail parings into their cigarettes and depriving themselves of sleep.

The New Yorker

Sometimes they leave altogether, depriving themselves of an opportunity and the organization of their talent.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "deprive themselves of", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the self-denial, whether it's for a greater good, due to necessity, or a conscious choice.

Common error

Avoid using "deprive themselves of" when a simpler term like "lack" or "miss out on" would suffice. "Deprive" implies a deliberate withholding, not just an absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deprive themselves of" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the action of preventing oneself from having or enjoying something. Ludwig AI analysis of example sentences shows it's used to describe both voluntary and involuntary actions that lead to a lack of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deprive themselves of" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of preventing oneself from having or enjoying something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general discourse. While often associated with negative consequences, it can also denote voluntary sacrifices for a greater good. Related phrases include "forgo something" and "go without", offering alternative ways to express similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. When using "deprive themselves of", ensure clarity in conveying the reason for the self-denial, and avoid overuse when simpler terms like "lack" suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Forgo something

Replaces "deprive themselves of" with a more concise and direct verb, focusing on the act of relinquishing something.

Do without

A simpler, more informal way of saying they are managing in the absence of something.

Go without something

Emphasizes the absence of something due to choice or circumstance, rather than the act of depriving.

Give up

Focuses on the action of surrendering or ceasing to have or do something.

Abstain from something

Implies a voluntary restraint from indulging in something, often for moral or health reasons.

Refrain from

Highlights a conscious decision to avoid doing something, often due to rules or principles.

Sacrifice something

Highlights the act of giving up something valuable for a greater cause or purpose.

Pass up

Suggests declining an opportunity or advantage, implying a missed benefit.

Waive the right to

Specifically refers to relinquishing a legal or official entitlement.

Relinquish possession of

Formally indicates giving up control or ownership of something.

FAQs

How can I use "deprive themselves of" in a sentence?

Use "deprive themselves of" to describe a situation where people voluntarily or involuntarily forgo something. For example, "Students often "deprive themselves of" sleep during exam periods."

What's a less formal way to say "deprive themselves of"?

Less formal alternatives include "go without" or "miss out on". For example, instead of "They deprive themselves of luxuries", you could say "They go without luxuries".

Is it always negative to "deprive themselves of" something?

While often used in negative contexts, "deprive themselves of" can also describe a voluntary sacrifice for a positive outcome. It depends on the specific context and the reason behind the self-denial.

What's the difference between "deprive themselves of" and "deny themselves"?

"Deprive themselves of" usually implies a lack or absence, while "deny themselves" suggests a conscious refusal. You might "deprive yourself of" sleep due to a busy schedule, but you "deny yourself" dessert to lose weight.