gift in itself

USAGE SUMMARY

'gift in itself' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that may not seem valuable or special on its own, but ends up being a blessing in disguise. For example, you could say "The chance to spend time with my family in such a beautiful location was a gift in itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But also don't forget how much money your guests are already spending to come to your wedding – "[T]hat's a huge gift in itself", wedding planner Brenda Babcock said.

BBC

It is a gift in itself.

The New Yorker

If framed, it would make a fine gift in itself.

Independent

Think about it: Being a member of your bridal party is a gift in itself.

The New York Times

The promise of a new series in 2015 is a deferred Christmas gift in itself.

The Guardian - Film

"To be able to explore my father's relationship with his grandfather was a gift in itself".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Gottsched goes on to argue that a poet must have a sharp wit or acumen, a "power of mind which readily perceives the similarity of things and thus can make a comparison among them," but also that such a "natural gift" is "in itself still raw and imperfect if it is not awaked and cleansed of the incorrectness that clings to it" (Schriften, p. 44).

SEP

Mr Buffett chose to announce his gift in the New York Public Library, itself the product of collaboration between early philanthropists, including Carnegie, the great provider of public libraries.

The Economist

"To be able to brighten the day of a handful of people, at no personal cost to you, seems a bit of a gift in and of itself!" said C.Gadd of Bethlehem, Pa., who had the same idea.

The New York Times

I tried to treat the writing and reflection part of the process a gift in and of itself, so that whatever the answers in the crapshoot that is PhD admissions, I could do a better job of detaching them from the substance and potential of the work I aimed to do.

Harvard University

And promising them in a small way that you are going to commit to that in the future is a gift in and of itself.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gift in itself", ensure the context clarifies what makes the subject inherently valuable or beneficial, even if it doesn't appear so on the surface.

Common error

Avoid using "gift in itself" to describe something that is already widely recognized as valuable. This phrase works best when highlighting a hidden or unexpected benefit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gift in itself" functions as a subject complement, attributing a quality or characteristic (being a gift) to a noun or pronoun. It emphasizes the inherent value or benefit of something, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gift in itself" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express the idea that something has inherent value or provides an unexpected benefit. As evidenced by Ludwig, its usage spans diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and informal communications. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the nature of the inherent value you want to emphasize. While versatile, avoid overstating the obvious value of the object with "gift in itself". Alternatives like ""a blessing in disguise"" or ""valuable in its own right"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a blessing in disguise

Focuses on the unexpected positive outcome of something seemingly negative.

valuable in its own right

Emphasizes the inherent worth or importance of something.

a reward in itself

Highlights the inherent satisfaction or benefit derived from an action or experience.

inherently beneficial

Directly states the inherent positive qualities of something.

a treasure in its own way

Suggests a unique or distinct form of value.

satisfying on its own merits

Highlights the self-contained and fulfilling nature of something.

an advantage in and of itself

Stresses that the single benefit in question is an advantage if considered on its own.

a positive aspect on its own

Highlights the standalone positive aspect of the topic.

intrinsically gratifying

Focuses on the internally rewarding nature of something.

a benefit by itself

Highlights a singular benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "gift in itself" in a sentence?

You can use "gift in itself" to describe something that has an inherent value or benefit. For example, "The opportunity to learn from such experienced mentors was a "gift in itself"."

What can I say instead of "gift in itself"?

Alternatives include "a blessing in disguise", "valuable in its own right", or "a reward in itself" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "gift in itself"?

While "gift" alone implies a benefit, "gift in itself" emphasizes that the value is inherent or unexpected. It's not inherently redundant, but context matters. Use it when you want to underscore the intrinsic worth of something.

What's the difference between "gift in itself" and "gift in and of itself"?

"Gift in and of itself" is a more emphatic version of "gift in itself". Both highlight inherent value, but the former adds a layer of intensity. The simpler form, "gift in itself", is usually sufficient.