fend for themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fend for themselves" is correct and very common in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to someone or something managing independently without help or support from others. For example: "With their parents away, the children had to fend for themselves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Often, they fend for themselves.

The New Yorker

Now they had to fend for themselves.

The New Yorker

So people have to fend for themselves".

The New York Times

They have to fend for themselves.

The Washington Post

"Let them fend for themselves," he said.

The New Yorker

For meals, they fend for themselves.

The New York Times - Sports

They fend for themselves, barely scraping by.

The New York Times

Seniors are unable to fend for themselves".

The New Yorker

Belarus and Khazikstan will need to fend for themselves.

University of California, Berkeley

Its residents must be able to fend for themselves.

The New Yorker

All along, he claims, zainichi had to fend for themselves.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fend for themselves" when you want to emphasize a lack of external support and the need for self-reliance. It's particularly effective when describing vulnerable individuals or entities.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "fend for themselves" excessively in highly formal or business writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "manage independently" or "operate autonomously" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fend for themselves" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of the predicate in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequency. It describes the act of managing or surviving without assistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fend for themselves" is a versatile and frequently used expression that describes situations where individuals or groups must rely on their own resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and high frequency in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase can be used in various contexts to emphasize self-reliance, especially when external support is lacking. While generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "manage independently" in professional settings. Remember to use "fend for himself/herself" for singular subjects and "fend for themselves" for plural or non-binary subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage independently

Focuses on the ability to handle situations without external assistance, emphasizing competence.

cope on their own

Emphasizes the act of dealing with difficulties alone, highlighting resilience.

survive without help

Highlights the necessity of self-sufficiency for continued existence.

take care of themselves

Focuses on the responsibility of individuals to provide for their own needs.

be self-sufficient

Highlights having the resources and capabilities needed to support oneself.

look after themselves

Emphasizes protecting their own well-being and interests.

make do

Focuses on managing with limited resources or support, highlighting resourcefulness.

shift for themselves

Emphasizes the need to find resources or solutions independently.

be responsible for themselves

Highlights the obligation to manage one's own affairs.

get by on their own

Focuses on managing to live or succeed despite difficulties, highlighting perseverance.

FAQs

How can I use "fend for themselves" in a sentence?

You can use "fend for themselves" to describe situations where individuals or groups are left to manage without external support. For example, "After the company closed, many employees had to fend for themselves."

What are some alternatives to "fend for themselves"?

Alternatives include "manage independently", "cope on their own", or "take care of themselves", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "fend for themselves"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the lack of assistance and the need for self-reliance, especially in challenging circumstances. However, consider the formality of your writing and choose alternatives if necessary.

Is "fend for himself/herself" grammatically different from "fend for themselves"?

The grammatical structure is the same; the only difference is the pronoun used. "Fend for himself/herself" is used for singular subjects, while "fend for themselves" is used for plural subjects or when referring to a singular subject with non-binary gender.