developing themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "developing themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals are engaged in personal growth, self-improvement, or skill enhancement. Example: "The workshop focuses on developing themselves through various training sessions and activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Chinese companies may want to protect the valuable brands and designs they are developing themselves.

The New York Times

"A Vieques where people live in peace and love, developing themselves to earn their daily bread".

The New York Times

"I think shows will be designing and developing themselves in order to fit in this model," he said.

The New York Times

In unison they recited creeds about developing themselves in a positive manner, self-discipline and using common sense.

The New York Times

"All the signs suggest, with the way Catalans Dragons are progressing as a club and with the number of French players that they are developing themselves, that they [France] are going to be a threat moving forward," said McNamara.

The Guardian - Sport

"We want to see people who are interested in developing themselves as creative people," says Steven Dell, course leader at UCA Epsom, which has over 485 applications for 100 places, with students taught in groups of no more than 30.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

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

Vice

Mostly the sounds develop themselves along the arc of continuity.

The New Yorker

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "developing themselves" when emphasizing a continuous process of personal or professional growth. For instance, "The program aims at participants "developing themselves" into community leaders".

Common error

Avoid using "developing themselves" when referring to the development of something external to the individuals. For example, instead of saying "They are "developing themselves" a new product", say "They are developing a new product".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "developing themselves" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in describing a continuous process of personal or professional improvement. It emphasizes an ongoing effort towards self-betterment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "developing themselves" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the continuous process of self-improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "improving themselves" or "growing as individuals" exist, "developing themselves" effectively conveys the active and ongoing nature of personal and professional growth. Remember to use "developing themselves" when emphasizing a continuous process and avoid it when referring to the development of something external.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improving themselves

Focuses on the act of making oneself better or more proficient.

growing as individuals

Emphasizes the holistic development of a person.

cultivating their potential

Emphasizes nurturing and growing inherent abilities.

evolving as people

Suggests a gradual transformation into a better version of themselves.

advancing their capabilities

Highlights the process of moving forward in skill and competence.

bettering their prospects

Focuses on enhancing future opportunities through self-improvement.

honing their skills

Highlights refining existing abilities to a sharper edge.

transforming themselves

Implies a significant and dramatic change in character or abilities.

expanding their horizons

Suggests broadening knowledge and experience.

perfecting their craft

Implies mastering a specific skill or art.

FAQs

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

The phrase "developing themselves" is used to describe the process of individuals improving their skills, knowledge, or personal qualities. For example, "The company supports employees in "developing themselves" professionally".

What are some alternatives to "developing themselves"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "improving themselves", "growing as individuals", or "enhancing their skills".

Is it correct to say "develop themselves" instead of "developing themselves"?

Both "develop themselves" and "developing themselves" can be correct, but they have different grammatical functions. "Develop themselves" is an infinitive phrase, while "developing themselves" is a gerund phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure.

What's the difference between "developing themselves" and "self-development"?

"Developing themselves" is a verb phrase describing an ongoing action, while "self-development" is a noun referring to the process or activity of improving oneself. For example, "They are "developing themselves" through online courses" versus "They are focused on self-development".