extending myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extending myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing personal growth, effort, or reaching out to others, often in a context of offering help or support. Example: "In order to grow as a leader, I am committed to extending myself beyond my comfort zone and engaging with my team more actively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In the past I have injured myself by over extending myself either when lifting weights, or playing sports.

Columbia University

I've been living life, but really getting a life finally, extending myself past my own self and the music that I'm so anxiety-ridden about having to do".

The Guardian - Music

I love extending myself into the sky, and discovering landscapes I could never see, at 4k resolution.

TechCrunch

It left me clinging to instant gratification, praise, and results like lifelines and I wanted all of them, all the time, without fully extending myself.

Forbes

"I am not extending myself ever again".

Huffington Post

I started extending myself to my son's father, and within about a year our relationship completely transformed.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Too busy to extend myself.

The New York Times - Books

"Last time I didn't extend myself," he explains.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'd needed narrative space to extend myself into; I'd needed more lives.

The New Yorker

I did not want to extend myself in any direction but hers.

The New Yorker

Both of them are great players but I cannot extend myself," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extending myself" to convey a sense of proactive effort in personal growth, skill development, or offering help to others. For instance, "I am extending myself to learn new software to improve my productivity".

Common error

Avoid using "extending myself" in very informal situations where simpler phrases like "helping out" or "trying harder" would be more appropriate. Overuse in casual conversation can sound unnatural or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extending myself" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a subject or part of a verb phrase. It describes the action of expanding one's efforts, capabilities, or reach. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in discussing personal growth, helping others, and challenging oneself.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extending myself" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe proactively pushing one's limits or making significant efforts for personal or professional growth. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase.

It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with some presence in academic and business settings. The phrase carries a neutral to professional tone, making it appropriate for expressing serious intent. While generally well-regarded, it's best to avoid overuse in very informal settings. Alternatives like "pushing my limits" or "going the extra mile" can offer suitable substitutes depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pushing my limits

Focuses more on the act of challenging one's own boundaries and capabilities.

stretching my capabilities

Emphasizes the act of expanding one's abilities and skills.

going the extra mile

Highlights the effort of doing more than what is expected or required.

challenging myself

Focuses on the act of setting difficult tasks or goals for personal growth.

exceeding my expectations

Stresses surpassing one's own anticipated performance or achievements.

reaching out to others

Shifts the focus to offering help or support to other individuals.

making an extra effort

Highlights the deliberate exertion of additional energy or resources.

putting myself out there

Emphasizes the willingness to take risks and expose oneself to new experiences.

broadening my horizons

Focuses on expanding one's knowledge and experiences.

expanding my comfort zone

Highlights the act of venturing beyond familiar and comfortable boundaries.

FAQs

What does it mean to say I'm "extending myself"?

Saying you're "extending myself" typically means you are pushing your limits, taking on more responsibilities, or making a significant effort to grow personally or professionally.

What can I say instead of "extending myself"?

You can use alternatives like "pushing my limits", "going the extra mile", or "challenging myself" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "over extending myself"?

Yes, "over extending myself" is a valid phrase that suggests taking on too much, leading to potential burnout or reduced effectiveness. It implies exceeding one's capacity or resources.

How is "extending myself" different from "improving myself"?

"Extending myself" often refers to actively taking on new challenges or responsibilities, while "improving myself" focuses more on enhancing existing skills or qualities. "Extending myself" often involves action, while improving oneself can be a more internal or reflective process.