entertain ourselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"entertain ourselves" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express the idea of taking part in activities or having experiences that are enjoyable, amusing, or diverting. For example: We decided to stay at home and entertain ourselves with board games.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It used to be said that all this TV entertainment would make us unable to entertain ourselves and so be more prone to boredom.

The New Yorker

"This band's formed out of doing something to entertain ourselves, so it's always going to feel entertaining".

The Guardian - Music

We want to entertain ourselves".

The New York Times

We entertain ourselves by shifting the blame to some mysterious force.

The New York Times

And how did we entertain ourselves before wondering just what Rex Ryan would pull next?

The New York Times - Sports

We have long, dark winters so we have to entertain ourselves in some way".

The Guardian - Music

In the evening we entertain ourselves by building a fire on our allotted grill.

The Guardian - Travel

Seventy percent of the digital universe is generated by individuals as we browse, share, and entertain ourselves.

The New York Times

But more broadly, Mr. Villoro sees how we entertain ourselves as essential to understanding who we are.

The New York Times

Yet, like Bergman, Altman was uninterested in constructing a Freudian puzzle that we could entertain ourselves by solving.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Our desire to entertain ourselves within systems that make triviality and tragedy indistinguishable says more about us than the depicted subjects.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates who is being entertained. For example, "We need to entertain ourselves during the long flight" is clearer than "We need to entertain."

Common error

Avoid using "entertain ourselves" when you mean to say "entertain others". "The band will entertain us" is correct when the band is performing for you, but "We will entertain ourselves" indicates the band members are finding their own amusement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entertain ourselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is both performing and receiving the action of entertaining. Ludwig highlights numerous examples where individuals or groups engage in activities that provide amusement or enjoyment for themselves.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "entertain ourselves" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of engaging in enjoyable or amusing activities. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, its meaning is widely understood, encompassing various forms of self-amusement and leisure. While alternatives like "amuse ourselves" or "enjoy ourselves" exist, "entertain ourselves" provides a clear and versatile option for expressing the pursuit of personal enjoyment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amuse ourselves

Focuses more on finding something funny or delightful, offering a slightly lighter tone than "entertain ourselves".

divert ourselves

Implies drawing attention away from something serious or boring by engaging in a pleasant activity.

enjoy ourselves

Emphasizes the feeling of pleasure and satisfaction derived from an activity.

occupy ourselves

Suggests keeping busy or engaged to avoid boredom or idleness. It shifts the focus to activity rather than pure enjoyment.

find amusement

Highlights the act of discovering something that brings pleasure or laughter.

seek pleasure

Emphasizes actively pursuing experiences that bring happiness and enjoyment.

have fun

A more informal and general expression for enjoying oneself.

recreate

Focuses on activities done for relaxation and enjoyment, often as a break from work or stress.

fill our time

Focuses on the act of using time in a way that is engaging or interesting, but without specific emphasis on enjoyment.

beguile our leisure

A more formal and literary way of saying "entertain ourselves", suggesting the charming or delighting of one's free time.

FAQs

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

You can use "entertain ourselves" to describe engaging in activities that bring enjoyment or amusement, such as "We decided to stay in and "entertain ourselves" with a movie night".

What's a more informal way to say "entertain ourselves"?

A more informal way to say "entertain ourselves" is to "have fun" or "enjoy ourselves". These options are suitable for casual conversations.

Is it correct to use "entertain ourselves" in formal writing?

Yes, it is acceptable to use "entertain ourselves" in formal writing, especially when describing leisure activities or how people engage in recreational pursuits. However, consider alternatives like "divert ourselves" or "amuse ourselves" for a slightly more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "entertain ourselves" and "occupy ourselves"?

"Entertain ourselves" implies that the activity is enjoyable and amusing. "Occupy ourselves" suggests merely filling time, regardless of whether it's particularly enjoyable.