describe themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"describe themselves" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to have someone, or a group of people, explain their own characteristics or qualities. For example, "The children were asked to describe themselves in one word to start a discussion about their own personal qualities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I asked them to describe themselves.

The New Yorker

Republicans describe themselves as proud.

The Washington Post

"They describe themselves as reverts.

The New York Times

Many bloggers describe themselves as journalists.

The New York Times

Few people describe themselves as poor listeners.

Harvard Business Review

Democrats almost uniformly describe themselves as embarrassed.

The Washington Post

They describe themselves as "incredibly boring" people.

The New York Times

How would they describe themselves politically?

The Guardian - Sport

A further 17% describe themselves as agnostic.

The Guardian

The vast majority describe themselves as supporters.

The Guardian

Such men often chose to describe themselves as gentlemen.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "describe themselves", ensure that the subject clearly refers back to the individuals or groups doing the describing to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "describe themselves" when the subject is not performing the action on themselves. For example, it's incorrect to say "The manager asked the employees to describe themselves in the report", because the employees are describing themselves, not the manager.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "describe themselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is performing the action of describing, and that the object of the action is the subject itself. Ludwig confirms that this is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "describe themselves" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed reflexive verb phrase that signifies how individuals or groups articulate their own characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sees frequent usage across various contexts. Predominantly featured in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, the phrase serves the communicative purpose of conveying self-perception and identity. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subject accurately reflects the entity performing the description to maintain clarity. Alternative phrases include "self-describe" or "characterize their own being". Overall, "describe themselves" is a valuable tool for expressing self-representation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-describe

Uses a more concise, direct term that is often used in surveys and questionnaires.

define their identity

Stresses the core elements of who they are, suggesting a more foundational aspect.

share their self-perception

Emphasizes the subjective view they hold of themselves, indicating a personal perspective.

characterize their own being

Focuses on the act of defining one's own existence or nature, a more philosophical framing.

present their self-image

Emphasizes how individuals want to be seen, rather than their actual qualities.

explain their nature

Focuses on elucidating their inherent characteristics or essence, implying a deeper understanding.

portray their own persona

Highlights the image or impression they create, suggesting a deliberate construction.

express their personal attributes

Centers on the specific qualities or characteristics they possess, focusing on expression.

reveal their personality

Highlights the unveiling of their individual traits and behaviors, suggesting a disclosure.

articulate their selfhood

Centers on the ability to express and communicate their sense of self, implying a conscious effort.

FAQs

How can I use "describe themselves" in a sentence?

You can use "describe themselves" to indicate how individuals or groups portray their own qualities or characteristics. For example: "The candidates were asked to describe themselves in three words".

What is a synonym for "describe themselves"?

Alternatives to "describe themselves" include "self-describe", "characterize their own being", or "portray their own persona", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "describe themselves"?

Yes, "describe themselves" is grammatically correct when used with a plural subject or when referring to a group or individuals acting collectively. It functions as a reflexive verb phrase.

What's the difference between "describe themselves" and "describe him/herself"?

"Describe themselves" is used for plural subjects or groups, while "describe him/herself" is used for singular subjects. For example, "The team members describe themselves as innovative", versus "Each team member must describe himself/herself in one word".