distinguished themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinguished themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe people who have earned special recognition for their accomplishments or earned praise for their actions or behaviour. For example: "The team distinguished themselves with their excellent performance in the competition, earning them a gold medal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More recently, designers have distinguished themselves by rejecting logos.

The New Yorker

The N.F.L.'s best teams have distinguished themselves.

The New York Times - Sports

Song scholars distinguished themselves in other fields, too.

Britannica

Georgetown won, 94-72, bothboth distinguished themselves.

The New York Times - Sports

The Mongols' Georgian Christian allies were said to have particularly distinguished themselves in slaughter.

The New Yorker

Not all Steven Cohens have distinguished themselves in a way that promotes pride among their doppelgangers.

The New York Times

The police have also distinguished themselves with an astonishing level of corruption.

The New Yorker

In the fourth quarter, the Hawks finally distinguished themselves, mostly through effort and energy.

The New York Times - Sports

The bulwarks of democracy have not exactly distinguished themselves during the past week's events.

The New York Times

In this context, it is not surprising that few aborigines have distinguished themselves.

The New York Times - Magazine

The awards highlight individuals and firms who have distinguished themselves in architecture, landscape design and urbanism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distinguished themselves" when you want to emphasize that a group or individuals stood out from others due to their exceptional qualities or achievements. Consider the specific context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the nature of their accomplishments.

Common error

Avoid using "distinguished themselves" in overly casual or informal settings. It is generally better suited for more formal or professional communication where a degree of gravitas is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinguished themselves" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a subject has performed in a way that sets them apart, usually in a positive manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

15%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distinguished themselves" is a versatile verbal phrase used to indicate exceptional performance or achievements that set a subject apart. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is most commonly found in news and media, academic, and encyclopedia contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. Related phrases include "excelled", "stood out", and "set themselves apart". When using the phrase, it's important to consider the context and ensure it accurately reflects the nature of the accomplishments being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set themselves apart

Focuses on the act of differentiation and becoming distinct from others.

stood out

Highlights the act of being noticeable or prominent, implying a contrast with others.

outperformed others

Directly compares performance against peers, highlighting superior results.

excelled

Focuses solely on superior performance without necessarily emphasizing standing out from others.

achieved distinction

More formal and emphasizes the attainment of honor or recognition.

shone

Emphasizes a brilliant or outstanding performance in a particular situation.

rose to prominence

Focuses on gaining a high level of recognition or importance.

made a name for themselves

Emphasizes building a reputation or becoming well-known through accomplishments.

established their reputation

Highlights the process of building a positive and respected image.

proved their mettle

Highlights that someone showed courage, strength, or ability.

FAQs

How do you use "distinguished themselves" in a sentence?

You can use "distinguished themselves" to describe how a person, group, or thing stood out positively compared to others. For example, "The athletes "distinguished themselves" by winning all their matches".

What's a good alternative to "distinguished themselves"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "excelled", "stood out", or "set themselves apart". The best choice depends on what aspect of standing out you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "distinguished themselves" in formal writing?

Yes, "distinguished themselves" is suitable for formal writing. It conveys a sense of accomplishment and recognition, making it appropriate for professional, academic, and official contexts.

What's the difference between "distinguished themselves" and "differentiated themselves"?

"Distinguished themselves" implies excellence or superior quality that sets someone apart, whereas "differentiated themselves" simply means they became distinct, without necessarily implying superior performance.