entertain myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entertain myself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to activities or actions you engage in for your own amusement or enjoyment. Example: "On weekends, I like to read books or watch movies to entertain myself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I have to entertain myself.

The New York Times - Sports

"I might as well entertain myself!

The New York Times - Style

"I was forced to entertain myself.

The New York Times

He added, "My goal is to entertain myself and others".

The New York Times - Books

"Mostly I do what I do to entertain myself".

The New York Times

I want to challenge myself and entertain myself.

The New York Times

"So to entertain myself I made my own toys.

Independent

So I think I used humor to entertain myself.

The New York Times

"Sitting there, pulling faces to entertain myself with an avatar of me, a live feed?

The New Yorker

I was often idle on our extended visits to Calcutta, left to entertain myself or to observe things.

The New Yorker

I'd entertain myself at the jukebox, selecting things I'd not heard before.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Entertain myself" implies actively seeking amusement. If you mean simply avoiding boredom, "occupy myself" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "entertain myself" when a simpler verb like "relax" or "enjoy" would suffice. Overusing reflexive pronouns can make your writing sound self-centered. For example, instead of "I decided to entertain myself with a book", you could say "I decided to relax with a book".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "entertain myself" is as a reflexive verb phrase, where the verb "entertain" takes the reflexive pronoun "myself" as its object. This indicates that the subject (I) is performing the action of entertaining on themselves. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "entertain myself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used reflexive verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct phrase to use when you are the one on the receiving end of your personal entertainment. It conveys the act of engaging in activities for one's own amusement, often to combat boredom or find enjoyment in solitude. While generally neutral in register, it appears most commonly in News & Media contexts. Remember to consider the specific nuance you want to convey and avoid overusing reflexive pronouns for more concise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amuse myself

Focuses specifically on finding something funny or humorous, implying a lighter form of entertainment.

keep myself entertained

Highlights the continuous effort to maintain a state of amusement or engagement.

enjoy myself

Focuses on experiencing pleasure and satisfaction from an activity.

divert myself

Suggests redirecting one's attention from something boring or unpleasant to something more engaging.

find amusement

Emphasizes the discovery of something that provides entertainment.

occupy myself

Implies keeping busy and preventing boredom, not necessarily involving enjoyment.

create my own fun

Highlights the active role in generating enjoyment, especially when external sources are lacking.

distract myself

Focuses on taking one's mind off something, often something stressful or worrying.

indulge myself

Involves treating oneself to something pleasurable, often luxurious or decadent.

lose myself

Implies becoming deeply engrossed in an activity, to the point of forgetting one's surroundings.

FAQs

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

You can use "entertain myself" to describe activities you do for your own amusement or enjoyment. For example, "I often listen to music to entertain myself", or "When I'm alone, I find creative ways to "occupy myself"".

What are some alternatives to "entertain myself"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "amuse myself", "divert myself", or ""occupy myself"". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "entertain myself"?

Yes, "entertain myself" is grammatically correct. It's a reflexive verb phrase, where "myself" is the reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject, "I".

What's the difference between "entertain myself" and "enjoy myself"?

"Entertain myself" implies actively seeking amusement, while "enjoy myself" focuses on experiencing pleasure or satisfaction. You might "entertain myself" with a challenging puzzle, but you "enjoy myself" at a relaxing spa.