open self

USAGE SUMMARY

"open self" is not a grammatically correct sentence in written English.
Instead, you can use the phrase "open up" to imply that someone allows themselves to be vulnerable and to be more open or honest about their feelings. For example, "I decided to open up and be more honest with my friends about my feelings."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Encyclopedia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

To learn to embody the family in the mind and the heart is to become able to move beyond self-centredness or, to borrow from modern psychology, to transform the enclosed private ego into an open self.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this paper, we present the goals and initial results of an EU-project called SciX: "Open, Self Organising Repository for Scientific Information Exchange".

Automation in Construction

Continue to be your open self.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He's funny, open, self-effacing and thoroughly likeable.

Independent

He could be angry, acute, open, self-pitying, funny, sarcastic, tearful - but he was always intense".

The Guardian - Books

Snead never won a U.S. Open, self-destructing so often that he convinced himself the tournament was ­jinxed.

The New York Times - Books

"Open, self-critical and highly enjoyable," was the review of Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke, who would make an excellent film critic for someone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An open, self-effacing man, he declined to identify the "other guy," but added, "I would be amazed if Oracle does not buy NetSuite".

The New York Times - Tech

These were not the hardliners and ideological desperadoes that some people might imagine: their politics felt open, self-critical and realistic about the huge tasks it faces.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the second world war, growth stagnated as competitors began to open self-service stores, an innovation Woolworths was quick to copy but slow to roll out.

The Guardian - Business

As this election campaign is demonstrating, the United States remains the most vital, open, self-renewing and democratic society on earth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To describe a person who is communicative and transparent, consider using terms such as "open", "honest", or "forthcoming". Use these terms to describe behavior (e.g. “He was an open person”) not as a noun construction like “open self”.

Common error

Avoid using "open" as a direct adjective modifying "self" to create a noun. This construction is not standard English. Instead, use established phrases or rephrase your sentence for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "open self" functions as a noun phrase, but is not grammatically correct in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, alternative phrasing is needed to accurately convey the intended meaning. Examples show its occasional use, but primarily as part of longer, more complex expressions or technical terms.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "open self" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard English. The phrase is intended to describe a state of being that emphasizes honesty, vulnerability, and self-awareness. Despite appearing in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, it's advisable to opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "vulnerable self", "authentic self", or rephrasing the sentence altogether for improved clarity and correctness. Consider the context carefully and choose vocabulary that accurately conveys your intended meaning without sacrificing grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vulnerable self

Emphasizes the aspect of being susceptible to emotional harm or exposure.

authentic self

Focuses on genuineness and true expression of one's personality.

honest self

Highlights the characteristic of being truthful and sincere.

reveal oneself

Shifts the focus to the act of making oneself known or understood.

express oneself freely

Emphasizes the uninhibited communication of one's thoughts and feelings.

be oneself without reservation

Highlights the freedom of expressing oneself fully and genuinely.

show one's true colors

Implies revealing one's genuine nature, whether positive or negative.

let one's guard down

Focuses on the act of becoming less cautious and more vulnerable.

be transparent

Suggests being easily understood or recognized, with no hidden aspects.

be forthcoming

Implies being readily available and cooperative in providing information.

FAQs

How can I describe someone who is honest and communicative instead of using "open self"?

You can use terms like "open person", "honest individual", or "forthcoming person" depending on the specific context.

What are some alternatives to "open self" that emphasize vulnerability?

Alternatives like "vulnerable self" or phrases describing someone as "willing to be vulnerable" can be used to highlight the aspect of emotional exposure.

Is it grammatically correct to use "open" directly before "self"?

Ludwig AI indicates that "open self" is not a standard grammatical construction in English. It's generally better to use alternative phrasing to convey the intended meaning.

How can I use "open" and "self" in a sentence correctly to describe someone's personality?

Instead of "open self", you might say "He has an "open and honest personality"" or "She is "very self-aware and open"".