doing to myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing to myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to actions or behaviors that one is inflicting upon oneself, often in a reflective or self-critical context. Example: "I realize that I have been doing to myself what I would never allow others to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Realizing what I was doing to myself, I just blurted it out.

The New Yorker

This is what I discovered I'm doing to myself all the time.

Independent

What in the name of Max Factor had I been doing to myself?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Throughout this period I never told anyone what I was doing to myself.

The Guardian - Sport

Then I get really ill and my G.P. tells me what I'm doing to myself is "worse than chain-smoking cigars".

The New Yorker

"There are some days where I get up and say, 'What am I doing to myself?' " But, he quickly added, mostly he is pleased to be here.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I looked at my life and was like, What have I done to myself?

The New York Times

My biggest harm I do to myself is I put all this pressure on myself".

The Guardian - Film

It would be lurid to detail every dark thought that I had and everything I did to myself.

Independent

"It makes me feel sad about what I've done to myself.

The New York Times - Magazine

There have been times when I have wondered what the hell I've done to myself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing to myself" to introspectively evaluate actions or behaviors that are detrimental to your well-being, acknowledging personal responsibility.

Common error

Ensure that when using "doing to myself", you're not just vaguely blaming yourself, but identifying concrete actions or behaviors that are causing harm. Without specifics, the phrase can lack impact and appear as generalized self-pity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing to myself" primarily functions as part of a reflexive construction, where the action performed is directed back at the subject. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used to express actions impacting the speaker. It often appears in sentences where the speaker is reflecting on their behavior or choices.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing to myself" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for self-reflection and acknowledgement of one's actions affecting oneself. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While typically carrying a negative connotation of self-harm or regret, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. From the analysis of Ludwig's examples and related phrases, it is important to consider if you are reflecting, regretting or being self-critical when using this expression, because there may be a semantically richer alternative, like "inflicting upon myself", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflicting upon myself

Replaces "doing" with "inflicting", emphasizing a negative impact.

subjecting myself to

Highlights the act of enduring something, often undesirable.

what I'm putting myself through

Focuses on the experience and process of enduring a difficult situation.

how I'm treating myself

Emphasizes the manner in which one is behaving towards oneself.

the harm I'm causing myself

Directly addresses the negative consequences of one's actions.

the damage I'm doing to my well-being

Specifically mentions the impact on one's overall health and wellness.

my self-destructive behavior

Labels the actions as inherently damaging to oneself.

the way I'm undermining myself

Highlights actions that weaken one's position or success.

my pattern of self-sabotage

Identifies a recurring habit of hindering one's own progress.

the self-inflicted wounds

Uses a more figurative, evocative expression implying personal harm.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "doing to myself" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "inflicting upon myself" or "subjecting myself to" which carry a more serious and considered tone.

Is "doing to myself" always negative in connotation?

While often used to express regret or concern about self-destructive behaviors, "doing to myself" isn't inherently negative. It can also be used in neutral contexts to reflect on choices or actions, though negative connotations are more prevalent.

What's the difference between "doing to myself" and "done to myself"?

"Doing to myself" implies an ongoing action or behavior, while "done to myself" suggests a completed action or a state resulting from a past action. The former focuses on the process, the latter on the result.

When is it appropriate to use "what am I doing?" instead of "what am I "doing to myself"?"

Use "what am I doing?" when questioning your general actions or direction in life. Use "what am I "doing to myself"?" when specifically concerned about the negative impact of your actions on your own well-being.