foul self

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foul self" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person's negative qualities or actions, often in a self-reflective or critical context. Example: "In moments of weakness, I often confront my foul self and the mistakes I've made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Or as the Los Angeles Times says, "the most vapid, foul, self serving group of people ever assembled in the entire world;" or as Entertainment Weekly calls us, "The Real Horrors of Miami".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is hard to imagine her singing I am not worthy Lord, So foul, so self-abhorred, Thee, my God, to entertain In this poor polluted heart.

The Guardian

Normally, this would have generated a foul and self-pitying mood, except that I had been speaking just the day before with Arnaud Vaissie, the president of International SOS Ltd., a company based in Philadelphia that provides emergency services, medical and logistical, to corporate business travelers.

The New York Times

On the other hand you might cry foul, as self-billed "independent media" website AlterNet did this week — claiming that whatever change Google made to its algorithm has cut traffic to its site by 40percentnt since June.

TechCrunch

There may be a few non-racists in our multicultural capital, but otherwise we're a nation of foul-mouthed, self-centred, opportunistic thieves and scoundrels.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Disaster slams into the charmed lives of an arty couple in small-town Massachusetts when, after the birth of their second child, their teen-age daughter — a beautiful, athletic, straight-A student — suddenly becomes a foul-mouthed, self-mutilating terror.

The New Yorker

Before it does another generation's worth of damage to the American psyche, let's put an end to the foul reign of "Self-Reliance" and let the scholars pick over the meaning of its carcass.

The New York Times - Magazine

And I'm very lucky in the sense that my foul mood swings and self harm did pass, but I'm not going to call myself cured of depression, because that's not how it works.

Huffington Post

There's a telling scene in this second volume of memoir from the self-proclaimed "foul owl with the death growl", when James Ellroy welcomes fans at a Sacramento bookstore to "the six thousandth public performance of my dead-mother act".

The Guardian - Books

But he consistently took his chances and after Williams' self-declared foul for striking the white twice, brilliantly screwed off two cushions when potting a blue to develop a telling scoring opportunity.

BBC

Today, writer Benjamin Anastas went on NPR's "On Point" to discuss his Riff for the magazine, "The Foul Reign of Emerson's 'Self-Reliance'" with Tom Ashbrook.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foul self" when you want to express strong disapproval or disgust towards a particular aspect of your own character or actions. It's suitable for introspective writing or when self-criticism is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "foul self" in everyday conversations as it can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Opt for simpler and more direct language to express your feelings about yourself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foul self" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "foul" modifies the noun "self". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "foul self" is used to express strong self-disgust or disapproval. While Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, its intensity makes it more appropriate for informal or introspective contexts rather than formal writing. Related phrases like ""lousy self"" or ""miserable self"" can provide less dramatic alternatives. It's crucial to consider the register and audience when using "foul self" to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Therefore, exercise caution in its usage, ensuring the context warrants such a strong expression of negative self-perception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Filthy self

Suggests moral impurity or contamination.

Loathsome self

Emphasizes strong dislike and disgust towards oneself.

Wicked self

Implies maliciousness or evil intent associated with one's actions or thoughts.

Rotten self

Uses a metaphor of decay to describe a corrupt or morally deficient aspect of the self.

Lousy self

Replaces "foul" with a less intense but similar adjective, indicating poor quality or character.

Awful self

Replaces "foul" with a more general term expressing dislike or disapproval.

Dreadful self

Similar to "awful self", but with a stronger emphasis on fear and apprehension.

Miserable self

Focuses on the emotional state associated with the self, emphasizing unhappiness or distress.

Heinous self

Highlights the shocking or atrocious nature of one's actions or qualities.

Infamous self

Highlights the notoriety or negative reputation associated with a particular aspect of the self.

FAQs

How can I use "foul self" in a sentence?

You can use "foul self" to describe a part of yourself you strongly dislike. For example, "In moments of weakness, I confront my foul self and the mistakes I've made."

What's a less dramatic alternative to "foul self"?

If you want a less intense expression, consider using alternatives such as "lousy self" or "miserable self".

Is "foul self" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "foul self" might sound too informal or emotive for formal academic or professional writing. Consider more neutral or precise language depending on the context.

What's the difference between "foul self" and "wicked self"?

"Foul self" generally implies disgust or disapproval, while "wicked self" suggests a more deliberate inclination towards immoral or harmful behavior.