develop themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe people who are taking responsibility to improve their skills, knowledge, or other areas of their well-being. For example, "The students at the school have been encouraged to develop themselves by taking various courses and participating in extracurricular activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We also teach people to develop themselves, and never put hindrance upon other's development.

Vice

They must develop themselves first, to show through actions how both personal and professional development is executed upon.

Forbes

Mostly the sounds develop themselves along the arc of continuity.

The New Yorker

Provide every student with the opportunity to develop themselves in all aspects.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

We aim to give them every opportunity to develop themselves and their future career prospects.

The Guardian

I have to give them a chance to play, to be happy and to develop themselves.

Independent

People who are curious will develop themselves, they'll discover things, they'll invent things.

The New York Times

Let them review and develop themselves with you supporting the process not controlling it.

The Guardian

Management looks inward and asks: How can we help our executives and workers to develop themselves?

Harvard Business Review

She started the Next Opportunity at Work conference for staff to develop themselves professionally.

University of California, Berkeley

Europe's emphasis on leisure time, he says, allows even manual laborers to develop themselves more than Americans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "develop themselves" when referring to a conscious and active effort to improve skills, knowledge, or personal qualities. For example, encourage employees to "develop themselves" professionally through training and workshops.

Common error

Be specific about the area of development. Instead of just saying "they need to develop themselves", specify the skill or area they need to improve, such as "they need to develop their leadership skills".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop themselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is performing an action that directly benefits or affects themselves. Ludwig AI indicates this is correct and usable in written english.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop themselves" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, signifying a proactive and intentional effort towards self-improvement. It is versatile, fitting seamlessly into various contexts from news and media to scientific discourse and formal business communication. While synonyms like "better themselves" or "cultivate their potential" exist, "develop themselves" effectively conveys a broad and holistic approach to personal and professional growth. When using the phrase, it is best to specify the area of development to provide more clarity and impact. Considering its widespread usage and clear meaning, "develop themselves" remains a valuable tool for expressing self-improvement concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better themselves

A more general term for self-improvement, encompassing various aspects of life.

grow as individuals

Highlights personal evolution and maturation, not necessarily tied to specific skills.

enhance their capabilities

Emphasizes improving existing skills and strengths to a higher level.

cultivate their potential

Focuses on nurturing inherent abilities, implying a more gradual and organic process.

improve their skillset

Focuses specifically on enhancing practical abilities and competencies.

reach their full potential

Focuses on maximizing their capabilities and achieving optimal performance.

advance their knowledge

Specifically targets the expansion of understanding and expertise.

work on their personal growth

Implies a deliberate and active effort toward psychological and emotional development.

realize their ambitions

Highlights the accomplishment of self-defined goals and aspirations.

transform their lives

Suggests a significant and fundamental change in one's circumstances or character.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop themselves" to describe the process of individuals improving their skills, knowledge, or personal qualities. For example, "The company provides resources to help employees "develop themselves" professionally".

What are some alternatives to saying "develop themselves"?

Alternatives include "better themselves", "cultivate their potential", or "enhance their capabilities", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "develop themselves" in formal writing?

Yes, "develop themselves" is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal writing. It is commonly used in professional and academic contexts to describe self-improvement efforts.

What is the difference between "develop themselves" and "improve themselves"?

While both phrases refer to self-improvement, "develop themselves" often implies a broader and more holistic approach to growth, whereas "improve themselves" might focus on specific areas needing enhancement. They are largely interchangeable in many contexts.