find themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find themselves" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has come to a realisation or understanding of themselves or a situation, usually through reflection. For example: "The students, after reflecting on their experiences, found themselves in a much better place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

People find themselves overwhelmed.

The New York Times

Yet both parties find themselves hemmed in.

The New York Times

They will find themselves enriched by it".

Independent

Married couples find themselves in different constituencies.

The Economist

Athletes find themselves in a risky situation.

The New York Times - Sports

Suddenly they find themselves supporting Tory policies.

Independent

Those who find themselves here have cause.

The New York Times

"The editors may find themselves getting blamed".

Independent

Researchers now find themselves swamped with data.

The Economist

Now Republicans find themselves boxed in.

The New York Times

They find themselves in a houzheteng shidai.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "find themselves" to describe a situation someone unexpectedly encounters or a realization they come to. It's best when the subjects didn't actively seek the situation.

Common error

The phrase "find themselves" implies an element of chance or unexpectedness. Don't use it if the subjects intentionally pursued the situation they are in.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find themselves" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting the subject to a description of their state or situation. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a realization or understanding. Examples from Ludwig include: "People find themselves overwhelmed" and "Athletes find themselves in a risky situation."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

22%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "find themselves" is a common and versatile expression used to describe situations, realizations, or states of being that individuals or groups experience. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various writing contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" sources, it maintains a neutral register. When using "find themselves", it's important to ensure it reflects an unexpected encounter, rather than a deliberately sought situation. Related alternatives include "end up in a situation", "are faced with", and "come to realize". In essence, "find themselves" is a reliable and widely accepted phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find oneself

Similar meaning but more introspective, emphasizing personal discovery.

come to realize

Focuses on the moment of understanding or awareness.

end up in a situation

Focuses on the resulting state or condition, emphasizing the outcome of events.

recognize that they are

Emphasizes acknowledgement and understanding of one's state.

become aware of

Focuses on gaining consciousness or knowledge of a fact or situation.

are faced with

Highlights the challenge or confrontation aspect of the situation.

discover themselves to be

Highlights the element of unexpected discovery about oneself.

are confronted by

Emphasizes being directly challenged or opposed.

realize their position

Emphasizes the understanding of one's standing or status.

are caught in

Suggests being trapped or entangled in an undesirable situation.

FAQs

How can I use "find themselves" in a sentence?

Use "find themselves" to describe a situation someone unexpectedly encounters or a realization they come to, as in: "Many students "find themselves" overwhelmed by the amount of coursework."

What are some alternatives to saying "find themselves"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "end up in a situation", "are faced with", or "come to realize".

Is it correct to say "finds themselves"?

No, the correct form is "find themselves" when referring to a plural subject. Use "finds himself/herself" when referring to a singular subject.

What's the difference between "find themselves" and "found themselves"?

"Find themselves" is present tense, indicating a current or recurring situation. "Found themselves" is past tense, indicating a situation that occurred in the past.