examine yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"examine yourself" is a perfectly correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it as part of a reflective exercise or when you are encouraging someone to take stock of their behavior or attitudes. For example, "Take some time to examine yourself and consider how you can make personal improvements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"It makes you examine yourself," Patton says.

The Guardian - Music

They examine things you might not necessarily examine yourself.

The Guardian - Books

He teaches you to examine yourself through observing other individuals".

The Guardian

If you have a nervous energy, a sort of discontentment and unanswered questions, you want to rub and scratch and examine yourself.

The Guardian - Books

When you meet one you don't care for, you have to examine yourself more closely to get to the bottom of the distrust.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's interesting using my own very personal formative experiences as a starting point because it makes you examine yourself and your motivations – my life certainly didn't take the course I imagined it would," said May.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Iona Preparatory School, a 760-student private high school in New Rochelle, N.Y., won the award last year, and its headmaster, Anthony Baxter, said that "whether you win or not, the process of examining yourself is a healthy one".

The New York Times

By examining yourself as a product for sale on the market, you can be confident about the image you present, confident that it reflects who you really are, and that it makes a compelling package to the kind of employer you're looking for... and who is looking for someone like you.

Science Magazine

Trying to lead others in your direction without examining yourself is very stupid.

Huffington Post

MR: It seems like you're examining yourself in a lot of the songs on Storm & Grace.

Huffington Post

The more time you can really spend deeply examining yourself during these transitions, the better you will be for yourself, your family, and your community.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "examine yourself", ensure the context clearly indicates the area of self that should be scrutinized. For example, "Examine yourself to identify biases" is more specific than simply "Examine yourself."

Common error

Don't use "examine yourself" as a vague suggestion for improvement. To provide constructive guidance, clearly define the scope and purpose of the self-examination to prevent shallow introspection and encourage meaningful insights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "examine yourself" functions primarily as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to engage in self-reflection. It is often used to encourage introspection and self-awareness, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

32%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "examine yourself" is a common and grammatically sound imperative phrase used to encourage introspection and self-assessment. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Wiki. While neutral in register, the phrase prompts individuals to critically assess their thoughts, feelings, and actions for personal growth and understanding. Alternatives include "reflect on your actions" or "assess your character", depending on the desired nuance. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the area of self-examination and avoid superficial suggestions for improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Self-reflect

Emphasizes a process of contemplation about oneself, often for personal growth.

Look inward

Suggests a metaphorical turning of attention to one's inner thoughts and feelings.

Introspect on your being

Focuses on self reflection, with a more spiritual connotation.

Question your values

Implies a deeper inquiry into one's fundamental beliefs and principles.

Reflect on your actions

Focuses specifically on actions, implying a moral or behavioral evaluation rather than a holistic self-assessment.

Assess your character

Zeroes in on one's moral and ethical qualities, rather than a broader self-inquiry.

Scrutinize your motives

Highlights the in-depth analysis of one's underlying reasons for acting.

Analyze your behavior

Centers on observable actions and patterns, moving away from internal states.

Evaluate your performance

Shifts the focus to accomplishments and effectiveness, appropriate in professional settings.

Consider your strengths and weaknesses

Implies a balanced assessment for improvement, not just critical examination.

FAQs

How can I use "examine yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "examine yourself" to encourage self-reflection or introspection. For example, "Before blaming others, "examine yourself" to see if you contributed to the problem".

What's a more formal way to say "examine yourself"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "assess your character" or "scrutinize your motives", which convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

What does it mean to "examine yourself"?

To "examine yourself" means to critically and thoughtfully assess your own thoughts, feelings, actions, and motivations. It involves introspection and a willingness to identify both strengths and weaknesses.

How does "examine yourself" differ from "analyze yourself"?

"Examine yourself" is a more general call for introspection, while "analyze yourself" implies a more structured and systematic approach to understanding your own behavior and motivations.