in themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"in themselves" is a correct and usable part of a sentence with written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something has the ability to exist independently of any other factor. For example, "These actions, in themselves, are neutral and do not result in good or bad outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perhaps not much, in themselves.

The New Yorker

They are secure in themselves.

The New York Times

More important, the players trusted in themselves.

The New York Times - Sports

Birthdays are not significant in themselves.

The New York Times

And our kids believe in themselves".

The New York Times - Sports

They are works of architecture in themselves".

Independent

They're still supremely confident in themselves".

The New York Times - Magazine

In themselves, they wouldn't have mattered.

The New Yorker

They are completely confident in themselves.

Independent

The solutions are, in themselves, unimportant.

The Economist

Rising seas are not bad in themselves.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in themselves" to emphasize that something's value, nature, or significance is self-contained and not dependent on external factors. For instance, "These actions, in themselves, are not harmful unless combined with other elements."

Common error

Avoid using "in themselves" when you simply mean "by themselves" or "alone". The phrase "in themselves" carries a specific meaning of intrinsic quality, not mere isolation. For example, instead of saying "The children were in themselves in the garden", say "The children were by themselves in the garden".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in themselves" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to specify that a quality or characteristic is inherent or intrinsic. As Ludwig AI says, it indicates that something has the ability to exist independently of any other factor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in themselves" functions as an adverbial phrase used to emphasize the intrinsic qualities of something, independent of external influences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. The phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples. While it's a versatile phrase, be careful not to confuse it with simpler phrases like "by themselves". Consider using alternatives like "intrinsically" or "by their nature" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in and of themselves

This is a longer, more emphatic version of the original phrase, stressing the independence.

intrinsically

This alternative directly conveys the idea of something being inherent or belonging naturally.

inherently

Similar to "intrinsically", but may suggest a stronger or more deeply rooted quality.

by their nature

Emphasizes that certain characteristics are a fundamental part of something's essence.

on their own merits

Focuses on evaluating something based solely on its inherent qualities, without external factors.

in their own right

Highlights the independent value or status of something.

as such

Indicates that something is being considered in its pure form or essential nature.

in essence

Focuses on the core or essential qualities of something, often abstracting away from details.

per se

A Latin term that means "by itself" or "intrinsically".

fundamentally

Emphasizes the basic or essential nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "in themselves" in a sentence?

Use "in themselves" to emphasize that something has intrinsic value or qualities, independent of external factors. For example, "The individual components, "in themselves", are not expensive, but the assembled product is."

What does "in themselves" mean?

"In themselves" means considering something's inherent qualities or characteristics, apart from any external influences or relationships. It emphasizes intrinsic value.

What are some alternatives to using "in themselves"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "intrinsically", "by their nature", or "on their own merits" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in and of themselves" instead of "in themselves"?

Yes, "in and of themselves" is a more emphatic version of "in themselves" and is grammatically correct. It further emphasizes the intrinsic nature or independence of something.