he applies himself

USAGE SUMMARY

'he applies himself' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's attitude or work ethic, for example: "John is a highly motivated employee; he applies himself diligently to every task he is given".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

He applies himself with a vengeance.

The Guardian - Books

He applies himself right, he eats well, rests well and recovers well.

Independent

Yet he applies himself to this interview with charm and thoughtfulness.

The Guardian - Sport

He applies himself to whatever is in front of him, he explained.

The New York Times - Arts

Fallen Empires is the band's most varied and adventurous album yet, and he applies himself accordingly elsewhere.

The Independent

It is better for Hancock and the NHS if he applies himself to where he has expertise.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He applied himself in practice.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, he applied himself, and that name, to a different line of work.

The New York Times

Always an avid soccer player, he applied himself and turned professional.

The New York Times - Arts

He applied himself to his school studies and graduated from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

The Guardian - Sport

A determined self made man, he applied himself wholeheartedly to all aspects of life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he applies himself" to positively describe someone's work ethic or dedication to a task. It implies a conscious and consistent effort.

Common error

While generally appropriate, avoid overusing "he applies himself" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger verbs like "dedicates", "exerts", or more specific action verbs related to the task at hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he applies himself" primarily functions as a description of someone's work ethic or dedication. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Science

4.166666666666667%

Encyclopedias

4.166666666666667%

Formal & Business

4.166666666666667%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he applies himself" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe someone's dedication and effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in English writing. It is considered appropriate across a range of contexts, particularly in news and media, and academic writing. While it is a generally versatile phrase, be mindful of overuse in highly formal contexts and consider synonyms like "he dedicates himself" or "he works diligently" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he dedicates himself

This alternative emphasizes the act of committing oneself to a task.

he puts in the effort

This alternative highlights the exertion of energy and diligence.

he commits himself wholeheartedly

This alternative stresses the enthusiasm and completeness of the dedication.

he works diligently

This alternative focuses on the persistent and careful nature of the work.

he throws himself into it

This alternative suggests an enthusiastic and immersive approach.

he is industrious

This is a more formal way of saying he is hardworking.

he exerts himself

This alternative emphasizes the physical or mental effort expended.

he is assiduous

This alternative refers to constant personal attention.

he makes an effort

This alternative indicates a conscious attempt to achieve something.

he aims for excellence

This alternative stresses goal directed behavior and the ambition to get the best results.

FAQs

How can I use "he applies himself" in a sentence?

You can use "he applies himself" to describe someone who is dedicated and works hard on a task. For example, "He is a diligent student; he applies himself to his studies".

What does "he applies himself" mean?

The phrase "he applies himself" means that someone is working hard and putting effort into something.

What can I say instead of "he applies himself"?

You can use alternatives like "he dedicates himself", "he puts in the effort", or "he works diligently" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "he applied himself" or "he applies himself"?

The choice depends on the tense you want to use. "He applied himself" is past tense, while "he applies himself" is present tense. Choose the tense that fits the timeline of your writing.