he checked himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he checked himself' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing what someone does when they take a look at their own situation or behaviour, usually in order to assess themselves or see how they are doing. For example: He knew he had been working too hard, so he paused to check himself and make sure he was still in a good mental state.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He checked himself.

The Economist

"Well," he checked himself.

The Guardian - Sport

And he checked himself into a hospital.

The New York Times - Health

He checked himself into an Army hospital in Nuremberg.

The New Yorker

Beset by suicidal thoughts he checked himself into hospital.

The Guardian - Music

In November, he checked himself into a rehabilitation centre in Thailand, later confirming he was "clean".

Independent

He checked himself: "It's often annoying to hear parents talk about it.

The New York Times

On Sunday, he checked himself into NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center for X-rays.

The New York Times

But he checked himself, drained his glass, got up, and paced the room.

The New Yorker

But two weeks before the program was over, he checked himself out.

The New York Times - Arts

More than two decades later, in 2006, he checked himself into rehab after relapsing into alcoholism.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he checked himself" to show a character's self-awareness and their attempt to correct or control their behavior or speech in a specific situation. It adds depth and realism to their actions.

Common error

Avoid using "he checked himself" when a direct object other than the self is implied. For instance, instead of "he checked himself the time", say "he checked the time" or "he checked his watch".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he checked himself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is both performing and receiving the action. It describes a moment of self-monitoring or self-correction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he checked himself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, to indicate self-monitoring or self-correction. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase conveys a moment where an individual pauses to reconsider their actions or words, thus demonstrating self-awareness. While versatile, it's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring the reflexive action is well-defined. Alternatives such as "he caught himself" or "he stopped himself" can offer nuanced meanings depending on the desired emphasis. By understanding its proper use and context, writers can effectively portray characters and situations with greater depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he caught himself

Implies a sudden realization and correction of one's words or actions.

he stopped himself

Focuses on the act of halting an action or speech.

he reined himself in

Suggests a deliberate effort to control one's impulses or emotions.

he held himself back

Indicates restraint and preventing oneself from doing something.

he monitored his own behavior

Highlights the continuous observation of one's actions.

he assessed his condition

Focuses on evaluating one's physical or mental state.

he paused to reflect

Emphasizes a moment of contemplation before proceeding.

he reconsidered his statement

Focuses on re-evaluating something that was said or written.

he took stock of himself

Suggests a comprehensive self-evaluation.

he scrutinized his actions

Implies a detailed and critical examination of one's behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "he checked himself" to indicate that someone paused to reconsider their words or actions, as in, "He started to criticize her work, but "he caught himself" before saying something hurtful."

What does it mean when someone "checks himself"?

When someone "checks himself", it typically means they pause to consider what they are about to say or do, often to avoid saying something inappropriate or to correct their behavior. It indicates self-awareness and a conscious effort to self-regulate.

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he caught himself", "he stopped himself", or "he reined himself in".

Is "he checked himself" formal or informal?

"He checked himself" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations may call for more elaborate phrasing.