feed yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feed yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being encouraged to take care of their own needs, particularly in relation to eating or self-sufficiency. Example: "In order to maintain your health, it's important to learn how to feed yourself properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Feed yourself.

The New York Times - Books

You don't think to feed yourself".

The New York Times - Sports

"How are you going to feed yourself?

Independent

You must feed yourself with intensively nutritious vacuum-packed objects.

The Economist

"You can't feed yourself with love!" he shouted.

The New York Times

"Right now, you can't afford to feed yourself".

The New York Times

"You can't feed yourself with love," she said, even as she was making final wedding preparations.

The New York Times

But if you get soil, plant something in it and water it, you can feed yourself.

The New York Times

You can pick up a fork, but it doesn't allow you to feed yourself".

The New Yorker

My mom told me, "You like to eat, so you'd better be able to feed yourself".

The New York Times

You can feed yourself for the day on little sausages (if you like little sausages).

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feed yourself" to emphasize self-reliance and personal responsibility for meeting one's own needs. It's particularly effective when contrasting with dependence on others.

Common error

Avoid using "feed yourself" in highly formal or academic writing where more sophisticated vocabulary might be expected. Opt for alternatives like "provide sustenance" or "ensure self-sufficiency" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feed yourself" primarily functions as an imperative verb phrase. It is used to instruct or encourage someone to provide food for themselves. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts, emphasizing self-sufficiency or the act of self-sustenance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feed yourself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression with diverse applications. As shown by Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to instruct or encourage someone to provide food for themselves, promote self-reliance, and offer general advice. While predominantly neutral to informal in tone, contexts such as academia or formal business might benefit from alternatives like "provide sustenance" or "ensure self-sufficiency". Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing to use "feed yourself" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Provide for yourself

Emphasizes the act of supplying one's own needs, not just food.

Nourish yourself

Focuses on providing sustenance and care for well-being.

Sustain yourself

Highlights the ability to maintain oneself over time.

Look after yourself

Broader term encompassing care and provision for oneself.

Take care of your needs

Emphasizes attending to one's personal requirements.

Be self-sufficient

Highlights independence in meeting one's own needs.

Provide sustenance for yourself

A more formal way of expressing the act of providing food.

Keep yourself alive

Focuses on the basic act of survival.

Subsist on your own

Highlights surviving independently with available resources.

Be independent in your diet

Focuses specifically on being in charge of one's dietary needs.

FAQs

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

You can use "feed yourself" in various contexts. For example, you could say, "It's important to learn how to "feed yourself" healthy meals" or "You need to "feed yourself" with knowledge to succeed".

What are some alternatives to "feed yourself"?

Alternatives to "feed yourself" include "nourish yourself", "sustain yourself", or "provide for yourself", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "feed yourself" metaphorically?

Yes, "feed yourself" can be used metaphorically to mean providing oneself with something essential, like knowledge, inspiration, or emotional support. For instance, "Feed yourself with positive thoughts."

What's the difference between "feed yourself" and "nourish yourself"?

"Feed yourself" primarily refers to the act of providing food, while ""nourish yourself"" implies providing what is needed for health, growth, or comfort, which can include emotional and intellectual nourishment.