one for myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one for myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that you are keeping or reserving for your own use or benefit. Example: "I decided to buy three cupcakes, one for my friend, one for my sister, and one for myself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Dear dying alone, I'm still working on this one for myself, as I, too, am going to die alone.

Vice

So I got double master's degrees: one for my parents on violin and one for myself in conducting.

Huffington Post

I held on to this one for a good while, but now I make two dinners each night like every other parent on earth -- one for myself and my husband and one for my picky daughter.

Huffington Post

It wasn't a great note, from his perspective, for the discussion to end on, but an important one for myself and for those who share my view.

The Guardian - Opinion

First thing I did when I got into the office was got on Amazon and ordered one for myself.

Vice

"If I could be two people at once: one for my family and one for myself, I would be the happiest person on this planet," Bharati says.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

"As a Catholic, I have accepted certain answers as the right ones for myself and my family," he said.

The New York Times

I am living the life I love and achieving small successes that hopefully will continue to lead to bigger and better ones for myself and everyone I am connected to.

Huffington Post

"I bought one thing for myself and one thing for my husband".

The Guardian - Business

"Every day, Bryn and I do at least one quality thing together and I do one thing for myself.

Huffington Post

(Although, as a confirmed interval-leaver, I can smugly pat myself on the back for having worked that one out for myself. The hope that "it might get better" has never once been justified).

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one for myself" to clearly indicate that something is being kept or reserved for personal use, especially when differentiating it from items for others. For instance, "I bought two tickets, one for you and "one for myself"".

Common error

Avoid using "one for myself" when a simple pronoun would suffice. Instead of saying "He got gifts for everyone, including "one for myself"", a more natural construction is "He got gifts for everyone, including me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one for myself" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object or complement in a sentence. It indicates something specifically intended or reserved for the speaker's personal use. As evidenced by Ludwig, it clarifies intention and distinguishes personal use from uses by others.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one for myself" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate something specifically intended for personal use. Ludwig AI analysis and examples show it functions as a noun phrase, serving to clarify intention and distinguish personal use. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for everyday conversation. While alternatives exist, such as "something for me", "one for myself" offers a clear and straightforward way to express personal reservation. Remember to avoid using the phrase when a simpler pronoun like 'me' would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something for me

Simplifies the phrase by using a direct pronoun instead of "myself".

one for my own use

Emphasizes the personal nature of the item's intended purpose.

one that I'm keeping

Highlights the act of retaining something for oneself.

one exclusively for me

Underscores the element of personal exclusivity.

a personal one

Shortens the phrase while still retaining the core idea of something for personal enjoyment or utility.

one dedicated to myself

Conveys a sense of purpose or intention related to personal use.

this one is mine

Expresses ownership and intent to keep for personal use.

a private one for me

Highlights that something is reserved and individual.

one I am claiming

Focuses on the act of taking possession of something.

one solely for myself

Similar to exclusively but in other words.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "one for myself"?

Use "one for myself" to emphasize that you are specifically including yourself when distributing items or considering recipients. It's useful for clarity when the context might otherwise suggest you're only thinking of others. For example, "I bought three books: one for you, one for her, and "one for myself"".

Is there a more concise way to say "one for myself"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can often simply say "one for me". This works well when it's already clear you're talking about something intended for your own use.

How does "one for myself" differ from "something for myself"?

"One for myself" typically refers to a specific item among others, whereas "something for myself" is more general. You'd say "I picked up a treat for each of us, including "one for myself"", but "I need to do "something for myself" today" when referring to self-care or a personal activity.

Can I use "one for myself" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "one for myself" leans towards a more informal tone. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "one for my own use" or rephrasing to be more direct, such as "I also included one for myself".