my being

USAGE SUMMARY

'my being' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a possessive term used to describe one's own existence or state. For example: "My being here today attests to my commitment to this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

One day I shall become a bird, And wrest my being from my non-being.

The Economist

They might resent my being alive.

The New Yorker

Their cries echo throughout my being".

The New Yorker

"That was the core of my being".

The New York Times - Arts

There's no point in my being there".

The Guardian

She loved my being there photographing.

The New York Times

"That's not part of my being.

The Guardian - Sport

Emily Flake: "My being riddled with tumors, this seems insignificant".

The New Yorker

(3)"There's a new twist to my being investigated.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's obviously significant now, my being an actress.

Wikipedia

[My being transgender] was never an issue, and I was quite happy with that".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my being" to emphasize the state or condition of existing, especially when it's central to the sentence's meaning. For instance, "My being a doctor influences my perspective."

Common error

In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "me" or "I" are often more natural. Avoid using "my being" in informal contexts where it may sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my being" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, where "being" acts as a noun, and "my" serves as a possessive pronoun modifying it. As shown by Ludwig AI, this construct allows to emphasize the existence or state of someone in different situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my being" functions as a gerund phrase, emphasizing one's state, presence, or existence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's considered grammatically correct and sees frequent use across varied contexts, most notably in news and media, and science. While generally neutral to formal, caution is advised against overuse in informal settings. Alternatives such as "my existence" or "my presence" can provide nuanced variations. Remember to employ "my being" to emphasize the state of existing, but avoid overuse in informal speech. Common errors include "me being" which isn't considered correct in formal writing. When looking for reliable usage of the phrase, resources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The New Yorker will be useful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my existence

Emphasizes the state of existing, often in a philosophical or existential context.

my presence

Highlights physical or metaphorical presence in a specific location or situation.

my state of existence

A more formal way to refer to one's condition or mode of being.

my life

Refers to the entirety of one's experiences and activities.

the fact that I am

Emphasizes the simple truth of one's current state or condition.

my being alive

Highlights the condition of being living, often in contrast to being dead or inanimate.

my current situation

Focuses on the specific circumstances one is in at a given moment.

my role

Highlights a purpose one is intended to fulfil.

my person

Emphasizes identity.

my self

Highlights the concept of self as entity of your identity.

FAQs

How can I use "my being" in a sentence?

"My being" can be used to describe a state or condition. For example, "My being there made a difference" or "My being late caused a problem."

What are some alternatives to using "my being"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "my existence", "my presence", or simply rephrase the sentence using "I" or "me".

Is it correct to say "me being" instead of "my being"?

While "me being" might be heard in informal speech, "my being" is grammatically correct in formal writing. "My" is the possessive pronoun that correctly modifies the gerund "being".

When is it appropriate to use "my being" rather than a simpler construction?

Use "my being" when you want to emphasize the state of existence or condition as a subject. For example, "My being unhappy affected my work" focuses on the state of unhappiness, whereas "I was unhappy and it affected my work" focuses on the person.