i told myself

USAGE SUMMARY

"I told myself" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the speaker is talking about something they said to themselves, as opposed to saying it to someone else. Here is an example: "I knew I needed to start exercising more, so I told myself I would go for a run every morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"O.K.," I told myself.

The New York Times

"You're weak," I told myself.

The New York Times

"I told myself, Don't fidget.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Chin up," I told myself.

The New Yorker

Just listen, I told myself.

The New York Times - Science

Relax, I told myself.

The New York Times - Travel

"I told myself, 'one a year'.

Independent

"Let it go," I told myself.

The New Yorker

I told myself I didn't care.

The New York Times

I was earthquake-proof, I told myself.

The New York Times

I was drinking death, I told myself.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary sentence structure by placing "i told myself" at the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence to improve flow and readability.

Common error

Avoid using quotation marks around the phrase "i told myself" when it's used to introduce internal thoughts. The quotation marks should enclose the thought itself, not the introductory phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i told myself" serves as a discourse marker, indicating the introduction of internal dialogue or thought. It functions to signal that the speaker is reporting their own thoughts rather than external communication. Ludwig AI confirms this function by providing numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i told myself" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce internal dialogue or thoughts in writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively signals that the speaker is reporting their own thoughts, adding a personal dimension to narratives. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, with a neutral to informal register. While generally acceptable, writers should be mindful of the context and use more formal alternatives like "I reasoned" or "I thought to myself" in academic or professional settings. Avoiding redundancy, like "i told myself mentally", and correctly using quotation marks are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i told myself that

Adds a level of indirect speech, emphasizing the content of what was said internally.

i thought to myself

Emphasizes the act of thinking something internally, a cognitive process rather than a direct statement.

i repeated to myself

Highlights the act of saying something multiple times internally, often for emphasis or memorization.

i reminded myself

Focuses on bringing something back to one's own attention, often a forgotten or important detail.

i convinced myself

Implies a successful effort to persuade oneself of something, potentially against initial reservations.

i reasoned with myself

Highlights a logical discussion or debate conducted within one's own mind.

in my mind, i said

Specifies the realm of thought, emphasizing that the statement was made internally, not outwardly.

i assured myself

Suggests an attempt to provide comfort or confidence to oneself, often in the face of doubt or anxiety.

i muttered to myself

Conveys a quiet, often involuntary, expression of thought, suggesting a less deliberate act of self-address.

i reflected inwardly

Shifts the focus to internal contemplation and consideration, moving away from a direct statement.

FAQs

How can I use "i told myself" in a sentence?

You can use "i told myself" to introduce internal thoughts or self-dialogue. For example, "I was nervous about the presentation, so "I told myself" to stay calm".

What's a more formal alternative to "i told myself"?

While "i told myself" is generally acceptable, in a more formal context, you might use "I reasoned", "I concluded", or "I thought to myself".

Is it redundant to say "i told myself mentally"?

Yes, saying "i told myself mentally" is redundant because telling oneself something inherently implies a mental process. It's best to stick with just ""I told myself"".

What's the difference between "i told myself" and "i reminded myself"?

"I told myself" implies stating something new to oneself or giving a command, whereas "I reminded myself" implies bringing a pre-existing thought or fact back to one's attention.