expand myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand myself" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in contexts where someone is discussing personal growth or self-improvement, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "I want to expand myself by learning new skills and exploring different cultures."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She was, as she told them guilelessly, "looking to expand myself".

The Guardian

"For me, success never was about the money but about a means to expand myself and learn new things.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The process of growing up, of improving and expanding myself, has been in large part about trying to leave behind the instinct to compete.

The New York Times - Magazine

The way I look at it now is, everything is just expanding for myself and for all of us.

Huffington Post

I was willing myself to expand my planning window".

The New York Times

I attempted to superglue myself to the then-prime minister Gordon Brown (as you do), to highlight the hypocrisy of receiving a campaigning award for working with communities to challenge airport runways – off the guy who wanted to expand them.Later, I stuck myself with the dregs of the glue onto Downing Street's gates and the security guard just looked at me and shook his head.

The Guardian

And I wanted to grow, push myself and expand what it means to be a modern gay man.

Huffington Post

If there isn't a positive action, I just lovingly encourage myself to expand out of my position of "rightness" and realize that it's all good.

Huffington Post

Follow him on Twitter.

Vice

I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others, I am going to benefit others as much as I can".

WikiHow

When I've allowed my stomach to expand too much, I find myself grabbing at it, aggressively, as if it's not part of me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing personal growth, consider using more common and natural-sounding alternatives such as "develop myself" or "grow personally".

Common error

Avoid using "expand myself" in formal writing or professional settings. It may sound awkward or unnatural. Opt for more precise and widely accepted phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand myself" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing an intention for personal growth or self-development. While grammatically acceptable, its usage is less common than alternatives. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, it is not a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expand myself" expresses a desire for personal growth and self-improvement. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not commonly used and may sound awkward. More conventional alternatives, such as "develop myself" or "grow personally", often provide clearer and more natural-sounding alternatives. While grammatically acceptable, caution should be exercised in formal contexts. The phrase appears rarely in News & Media and Wiki sources. Using this expression should be intentional, and writers should consider whether a more common phrase would serve their purpose better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop myself

Emphasizes the process of improving skills and knowledge.

grow personally

Focuses on emotional and intellectual maturation.

cultivate my potential

Highlights nurturing inherent abilities and possibilities.

broaden my horizons

Suggests exploring new experiences and perspectives.

enrich my life

Focuses on adding value and depth to one's experiences.

extend my capabilities

Implies increasing one's range of skills and abilities.

advance my understanding

Highlights gaining deeper knowledge and insight.

stretch my limits

Suggests pushing beyond current boundaries and comfort zones.

evolve as a person

Emphasizes the transformation and growth of one's character.

deepen my self-awareness

Focuses on gaining a better understanding of one's own thoughts, feelings, and motivations.

FAQs

What does "expand myself" mean?

Expanding oneself typically refers to personal growth, learning new skills, or exploring different facets of one's identity. It's about developing as an individual.

What are some alternatives to "expand myself"?

You can use alternatives like "develop myself", "grow personally", or "broaden my horizons" depending on the specific context.

Is "expand myself" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "expand myself" is not as commonly used as other phrases conveying personal growth. Ludwig AI suggests it may sound awkward to some native English speakers.

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

Consider using "expand myself" in contexts where you want to express a desire for self-improvement or exploring new aspects of your personality. However, be mindful that it may be perceived as less common or slightly unconventional.