devote yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devote yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when encouraging someone to dedicate their time, effort, or attention to a particular task, cause, or person. Example: "If you want to excel in your studies, you must devote yourself to your education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The true nature of humanity is that when you devote yourself to someone, they are then free to gain someone else's devotion – as if you are checked off a psychological list.

WikiHow

What's important is to devote yourself to your art form".

The New York Times

He has faced the personal cost that comes when you devote yourself to an unfashionable cause.

Independent

"It was hard – almost medieval in the way that you devote yourself utterly to your teacher for nearly four years.

Independent

Or, put another way, if you're going to devote yourself to books, what happens when it comes time to breed?

The New York Times

Berlusconi introduced a new way of speaking so that deciding to devote yourself to politics became "taking to the field".

The Guardian

When you're still breast-feeding your 3-year-old, it might be difficult to devote yourself to work in quite the same way.

The New York Times

In her 1972 essay Reunion, she wrote furiously about how the dean of her college once advised her to "devote yourself to your husband and marriage".

The Guardian - Film

"You devote yourself to something for such a long time – six months of your life completely consumed by it," she says.

The Guardian - Film

It's a film about what it means to devote yourself to something other than your fears and desires, to shed that hard, durable shell called selfishness.

The New York Times

"It would be a way of showing that you can devote yourself to politics without stopping doing other things," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devote yourself", ensure the object of your devotion is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Devote yourself to mastering this skill."

Common error

Avoid using "devote yourself" when a lesser commitment is intended. Using a phrase like "try your best" or "give it a shot" may be more appropriate if the task doesn't warrant complete dedication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devote yourself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating a conscious and active commitment of oneself to a specific cause, activity, or person. Ludwig showcases its use in various contexts, emphasizing dedication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devote yourself" is a commonly used reflexive verb phrase that signifies a deep commitment of oneself to a particular task, cause, or person. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While versatile, it's essential to use it when the level of dedication genuinely warrants such a strong expression. Consider alternatives like "dedicate yourself" or "commit yourself" for similar meanings. Remember to clearly specify the object of your devotion to avoid ambiguity and ensure your writing is precise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicate yourself

This alternative is very similar, emphasizing a formal and committed allocation of oneself to a task or purpose.

commit yourself

This option highlights the act of pledging or binding oneself to a course of action or belief.

apply yourself

This phrase focuses on the effort and diligence one puts into a task, often implying a need for concentration.

immerse yourself

This suggests a deep and thorough involvement, often to the point of being completely absorbed.

dedicate your life

Implies a long-term commitment affecting one's lifestyle and goals.

give yourself over to

Suggests surrendering control and fully embracing a cause or activity.

lose yourself in

This phrase indicates a state of being completely absorbed and focused, often finding enjoyment in the process.

throw yourself into

This option indicates a forceful and enthusiastic entry into a task or activity.

concentrate your efforts

This implies focusing one's energy and resources on achieving a specific goal.

become engrossed in

This suggests being completely captivated and preoccupied with something.

FAQs

What does "devote yourself" mean?

To "devote yourself" means to dedicate your time, effort, and attention completely to a particular task, cause, or person, signifying a strong commitment.

How can I use "devote yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "devote yourself" in a sentence like: "If you want to succeed, you must "dedicate yourself" to your studies."

What are some alternatives to "devote yourself"?

Some alternatives to "devote yourself" include "commit yourself", "dedicate yourself", or "immerse yourself", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "devote yourself to" or "devote yourself in"?

It is generally better to say "devote yourself to" something, as the preposition "to" correctly indicates the recipient or target of your dedication. "Devote yourself in" is not grammatically correct.