overcome myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overcome myself" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase generally means to surmount or surpass your own personal limits, goals, or limits. For example: "I am determined to overcome myself and go farther than I have ever been before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I could overcome myself".

The New York Times - Books

When I pray, I do not pray passively, I do so to overcome myself and in doing so strive to make the world a better place.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As an expert in PTSD and substance abuse treatment who works regularly with veterans with PTSD and co-occurring disorders, and as a person who has overcome PTSD myself, I know that there are great therapies that completely change lives.

Huffington Post

"This condition has taught me to overcome flaws in myself". We spend most of our lives at work, so how can we battle the stigma attached to mental illness if we are too afraid to mention it at the office?

HuffPost

"I'm still a nervous person and I have to overcome something in myself every time I throw myself into a challenge," she says, returning to the subject of her illness.

Independent

I'm a little overcome, having put myself in his shoes.

The New York Times - Magazine

I found myself overcome with grief, but also a strange joy, as I wept in the presence and comfort of the brotherhood.

The New York Times

As the clouds went by, and the maple leaf flag fluttered beneath Fuller's awing, column-free expanse, I found myself overcome with a feeling I don't often confront when I look at the art of the recent past.

The New York Times - Arts

I found myself overcome with joy when Yataro scored the second highest in his class on a science test once, not just because our grueling study sessions had paid off, but because the mother of the boy who came in first was a scientist.

The New York Times

And I find myself overcome with joy and longing at the same time.

Huffington Post

If I'd hung on to my assumptions, believing my drama came from obstacles I'd never had to overcome — a portrait of myself as scrappy survivor of unearned cruelties — I wouldn't have learned what really happened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overcome myself" when you want to emphasize a personal struggle against your own limitations, fears, or weaknesses. It conveys a sense of self-improvement and personal triumph.

Common error

Avoid using "overcome myself" when you intend to say that you overcame something external. The reflexive pronoun "myself" indicates the object of the verb is the same as the subject. For external obstacles, use "overcome my challenges" or "overcome obstacles".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overcome myself" is that of a reflexive verb phrase. It describes an action where the subject is also the direct object, indicating self-mastery or self-improvement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig, the phrase "overcome myself" is grammatically correct and usable in written English, generally meaning to surpass your own limitations. While infrequent, its use typically appears in news and media contexts. It serves to express a personal struggle against one's own constraints, emphasizing self-improvement. When writing, ensure that the context accurately reflects an internal battle rather than overcoming external obstacles. Alternatives such as "better myself" or "push my limits" might offer clearer or more appropriate connotations depending on your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conquer my limitations

Focuses on conquering specific limitations rather than the general self.

surmount my weaknesses

Highlights overcoming personal weaknesses.

manage my emotions

Emphasizes emotional regulation as a form of self-overcoming.

rise above my challenges

Shifts the focus to external challenges and the act of rising above them personally.

transcend my self

Suggests a more profound and spiritual form of self-improvement.

better myself

General term for improving oneself.

outgrow myself

Focuses on personal growth and moving beyond a previous version of oneself.

improve myself

General and broad way to express self-improvement.

push my limits

Highlights the effort of exceeding one's boundaries.

exceed my expectations

Emphasizes surpassing one's own expectations rather than overcoming internal struggles.

FAQs

How can I use "overcome myself" in a sentence?

You can use "overcome myself" to express surpassing your own limitations or weaknesses, such as "I strive to overcome myself and achieve more than I thought possible".

What does it mean to "overcome myself"?

To "overcome myself" means to successfully manage or suppress negative emotions and achieve self-improvement by surpassing personal limitations or weaknesses.

Is it grammatically correct to say "overcome myself"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, ensure it aligns with your intended meaning of surpassing your own internal limitations, not external obstacles. Use alternatives such as "conquer my limitations", "surmount my weaknesses", or "manage my emotions" if appropriate.

What are some phrases similar to "overcome myself"?

Similar phrases include "better myself", "improve myself", "transcend my self", and "push my limits", each carrying a slightly different nuance of self-improvement and personal challenge.