establish oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "establish oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express the idea of someone becoming successful or well-known in some field or profession. For example, "With hard work and dedication, she was able to establish herself as an expert in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The key to influence in any White House is simply to establish oneself as the President's most important adviser.

The New Yorker

There is the artfully arranged cleavage, or the casually flexed triceps, to establish oneself as fit, desirable, deserving of exhibition in the carousel museum of social media.

The Washington Post

By Ryan Lizza November 14, 2016 The key to influence in any White House is to establish oneself as the President's most important adviser, and this is seemingly the role that Bannon has created for himself.

The New Yorker

It can take many years to establish oneself as a trustworthy person in the different communities that we work with in London and for this reputation to be maintained".

The Guardian

It takes years and years to establish oneself in this socially munificent profession, and young, lower-income C.F.P.'s have just as a strong a claim on society's resources as anyone else.

The New York Times

The key to influence in any White House is to establish oneself as the President's most important adviser, and this is seemingly the role that Bannon has created for himself.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Showing off was bad form, but there were ways of establishing oneself as a person of taste.

The New York Times - Books

I don't think education is about centralized instruction anymore; rather, it is the process establishing oneself as a node in a broad network of distributed creativity.

The New York Times - Science

But establishing oneself as the most viable conservative requires a careful balancing act in a moderate state like New Hampshire, as Mr. Santorum discovered on Thursday when facing a series of difficult questions from college students about his positions on same-sex marriage.

The New York Times

And while there were the standard hardships of establishing oneself abroad, I will always hold close to my heart the people that I met and the experiences we shared.

Johns Hopkins University

Therefore, establishing oneself as an innovator and leader may be the primary criteria for making an investment decision, and the cost of inaction or delay in action could be the loss of a leadership position that might be difficult to later regain.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "establish oneself" when you want to emphasize the active process of gaining recognition or a secure position in a field. It is best used when the subject has to make a conscious effort to be recognized.

Common error

Avoid using "establish oneself" to describe passive processes or inherent qualities. It is about actively creating a recognized place or position, not simply existing within one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish oneself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. It describes the action of someone actively working to secure their position, reputation, or recognition within a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "establish oneself" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the active process of gaining recognition or securing a position within a specific domain. Ludwig AI confirms this, and its usage is prevalent in news, scientific, and business contexts. While alternatives like "make a name for oneself" or "prove oneself" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey, "establish oneself" emphasizes the deliberate effort involved in building a reputation and achieving a solid standing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get established

A more passive way of saying 'establish oneself', focusing on the state of being established.

make a name for oneself

Focuses on achieving recognition or fame.

prove oneself

Emphasizes demonstrating competence or worth.

set oneself up

Highlights the act of preparing or arranging for future success or security.

build a reputation

Emphasizes the development of a favorable public image over time.

gain recognition

Centers on obtaining acknowledgement or approval.

become known

Indicates the process of being recognized by a wider audience.

secure a position

Highlights obtaining a stable or advantageous role.

carve a niche

Implies creating a unique and successful space for oneself.

gain a foothold

Suggests obtaining an initial, often precarious, position.

FAQs

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

You can use "establish oneself" to describe the process of becoming recognized or successful in a particular field. For example, "She worked tirelessly to establish herself as a leading expert in her field."

What are some alternatives to "establish oneself"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "make a name for oneself", "prove oneself", or "become known".

Is it better to use "establish oneself" or "get established"?

"Establish oneself" emphasizes the active effort of the subject to create a recognized position, while "get established" is more passive and focuses on the resulting state. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the effort or the outcome.

What does it mean to "establish oneself" in a particular industry?

To "establish oneself" in an industry means to become recognized and respected within that industry, often through hard work, expertise, and networking. It implies building a strong reputation and securing a stable position.