hold myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrasal verb "hold myself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are imposing restraint or control on yourself. For example: "I need to hold myself back from eating all the delicious food."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I don't hold myself apart.

The New York Times

"I will hold myself accountable.

The New York Times

I hold myself to a high standard".

The New York Times

That I could never hold myself together?

The New Yorker

That's who I hold myself accountable to.

The Guardian - Sport

"I just couldn't hold myself in.

The New York Times

"I hold myself to a higher standard.

The New York Times - Sports

"I can't hold myself back!" I cried, lunging over him.

The New Yorker

I cannot hold myself back from looking inside".

The New Yorker

I think it's 'cause I'm trying to hold myself down.

Independent

I need to hold myself to a different standard.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold myself" to express a conscious effort to control your actions, emotions, or behavior in a particular situation. For example, "I had to "hold myself" back from interrupting."

Common error

Avoid using "hold myself" when the action doesn't directly affect the speaker. Ensure the reflexive pronoun "myself" is necessary and appropriate to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold myself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the subject performs an action that directly affects themselves. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold myself" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express self-control, accountability, or emotional stability. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it indicates a conscious effort to manage one's actions, emotions, or behavior. Its frequent appearance across diverse sources, like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post, validates its wide applicability. When writing, remember to use "hold myself" when the action directly affects the speaker and consider alternatives such as "restrain myself" or "control myself" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restrain myself

Focuses more specifically on the act of preventing oneself from doing something.

control myself

Emphasizes the act of maintaining command over one's actions or emotions.

keep myself in check

Highlights the continuous effort to monitor and regulate one's behavior.

take responsibility

Shifts the focus to accepting accountability for one's actions.

bear the responsibility

Similar to "take responsibility", but with a stronger emphasis on the weight of accountability.

contain my emotions

Specifically refers to managing and suppressing emotional expressions.

manage my behavior

Focuses on directing and controlling one's actions in a particular way.

regulate myself

Implies a systematic effort to adjust one's actions or emotions to a desired level.

keep it together

An idiom referring to mental or emotional stability especially during difficult times.

compose myself

Implies regaining composure, especially after being agitated or upset.

FAQs

How can I use "hold myself" in a sentence?

You can use "hold myself" when you want to express that you are imposing restraint or control on your actions or emotions. For example, "I need to "hold myself" accountable for my mistakes." or "I have to "hold myself" together during this difficult time."

What are some alternative phrases for "hold myself"?

Alternatives include "restrain myself", "control myself", or "keep myself in check" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hold me" instead of "hold myself"?

No, "hold me" has a different meaning. "Hold me" implies that someone else is holding you, while "hold myself" means you are controlling your own actions or emotions. For example, "Please hold me" versus "I must "hold myself" together."

What does it mean to "hold myself" to a high standard?

To "hold myself" to a high standard means to expect a high level of performance or behavior from oneself. It implies a commitment to excellence and a refusal to settle for mediocrity.