establish itself

USAGE SUMMARY

"establish itself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how something has gained a secure position or footing, particularly if it has done so without assistance or prompting. For example, "The company quickly established itself as the leading provider in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It needs this extravagance to exist, and to establish itself, perversely, as a non-establishment place.

The Guardian

It took decades for the agricultural industry to establish itself.

The New York Times - Magazine

Democracy in Iraq will take time to establish itself.

The New York Times

Democracy has had no time to establish itself".

The New Yorker

It will later establish itself in exile in London.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"This will, I am sure, establish itself as the definitive biography".

The Guardian - Books

Over the years, Ocean Grove has tried to establish itself as its own borough.

The New York Times

"The party's priority is to establish itself as a leading political player.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

How can politics can re-establish itself?

The Guardian

And Thomond Park will re-establish itself as the place where Munster simply do not lose.

The Guardian - Sport

And how quickly did faith re-establish itself as a firm part of your life?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "establish itself", ensure the subject is capable of self-determination. For example, a company, an idea, or a trend can "establish itself", but a person typically needs external help to be established.

Common error

Avoid using "establish itself" when a passive construction is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The city established itself by the government", use "The city was established by the government".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish itself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. It describes an entity's action of making itself stable, recognized, or successful. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is appropriate for describing an entity that is actively working to gain recognition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "establish itself" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe how an entity gains recognition, stability, or success. Ludwig highlights that the phrase is correct and applicable in numerous contexts. While alternatives like "become established" or "gain a foothold" exist, "establish itself" clearly conveys the active process of achieving a firm position. Usage ranges from formal, as seen in academic writing, to neutral, as found in news media, making it a highly adaptable phrase for various communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become established

Focuses on the state of being established rather than the act of establishing.

secure its position

Highlights the act of making a position safe and stable.

gain a foothold

Implies a more tentative or initial stage of establishment.

cement its place

Suggests a permanent and unshakeable establishment.

find its niche

Suggests discovering and securing a specific area of expertise or market.

take root

Suggests a deeper, more fundamental establishment, often used metaphorically.

become ingrained

Highlights the process of something becoming deeply embedded or accepted.

gain recognition

Emphasizes the achievement of acknowledgement or acceptance.

make its mark

Focuses on having a noticeable impact or influence.

assert its dominance

Implies establishing oneself through power or control.

FAQs

How can I use "establish itself" in a sentence?

Use "establish itself" when referring to something (like a business or idea) becoming recognized or successful through its own actions. For example, "The company quickly "became established" in the market".

What can I say instead of "establish itself"?

You can use alternatives like "gain a foothold", "take root", or "secure its position" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something "established itself to be" something else?

While grammatically possible, it's often more concise and direct to say something "established itself as" something else. For example, "The study established itself as a cornerstone of the field" is preferable to "The study established itself to be a cornerstone...".

What's the difference between "establish itself" and "reestablish itself"?

"Establish itself" refers to the initial act of becoming recognized or successful, while "reestablish itself" implies restoring a position that was previously held but lost.