encouraged myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encouraged myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of providing oneself with motivation or support during challenging times. Example: "When I felt overwhelmed by the project, I took a moment to reflect and encouraged myself to keep going."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For English literature, I encouraged myself to think critically by analysing the text – before reading the York Notes.

The Guardian

"I was hesitant at first because I'm the only non-stats major in the team, but I encouraged myself to get out of my comfort zone," Chuaylua said.

Duke University

Yes, I actively encouraged myself to reap the precious rewards of a birth-rite that seemed to carry with it so many unjust punishments.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I kept encouraging myself.

The Guardian

Recently, I have also been encouraging myself to "make more work" because "life is short".

The New York Times

This past week I've fallen into the habit of talking to myself, instructing myself, encouraging myself, as one might a stumbling child: You can do it.

The New Yorker

"The greens had got soft, so I was trying to encourage myself to give it a bit more of a hit.

The New York Times - Sports

As I reflect on the successes and failures of our push for democracy, reading widely in search for a path out of authoritarian rule, I'll keep writing to encourage myself and those on my side.

The Guardian - Opinion

Q.39 I encourage myself.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

"It shouldn't be so hard to find," I would try to encourage myself.

University of Chicago

"But almost six months later I've packed on 15 pounds and the running shoes I bought to encourage myself to run are still in the box".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encouraged myself" when you want to express providing yourself with support and motivation to face a challenge.

Common error

While "encouraged myself" is correct, avoid using it excessively in a short piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "motivated myself" or "pushed myself" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encouraged myself" functions as a verb phrase where the verb "encouraged" is used reflexively. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used when referring to the act of providing oneself with motivation or support during challenging times. The examples provided by Ludwig further illustrate this reflexive use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "encouraged myself" is a grammatically correct way to describe the act of providing oneself with motivation and support. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in News & Media. While not exceptionally frequent, it is a useful expression for conveying self-reliance and resilience. Consider related phrases like "motivated myself" or "pushed myself" for variety. Avoid overusing the phrase in a single piece of writing for better readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Motivated myself

Focuses on the internal drive to achieve a goal; less about emotional support.

Pushed myself

Emphasizes effort and determination, potentially against resistance.

Urged myself

Suggests a strong internal need to act, almost a command.

Inspired myself

Highlights the source of motivation as internal inspiration.

Cheered myself on

Implies offering oneself verbal encouragement, akin to a supporter.

Rallied myself

Suggests gathering inner strength to overcome a challenge.

Bolstered my spirits

Focuses on improving one's mood or confidence.

Heartened myself

Implies making oneself feel more cheerful and optimistic.

Bucked myself up

Informal way of saying to cheer oneself up, typically in British English.

Pep talk to myself

Suggests an internal conversation intended to boost morale.

FAQs

How can I use "encouraged myself" in a sentence?

You can use "encouraged myself" to describe instances where you provided yourself with motivation or support. For example: "I felt nervous before the presentation, but I "encouraged myself" to focus on my expertise."

What's a good alternative to "encouraged myself"?

Depending on the context, you could use "motivated myself", "pushed myself", or "urged myself" as alternatives.

Is it correct to say "I encourage myself"?

Yes, "I encourage myself" is grammatically correct, but ""encouraged myself"" is typically used to describe a past action of self-motivation, while "I encourage myself" describes a habitual action.

What is the difference between "encouraged myself" and "convinced myself"?

"Encouraged myself" implies providing support or motivation, while "convinced myself" means persuading oneself to believe something, often despite doubts.