pacing yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"pacing yourself" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing managing one's energy or effort over time, especially in activities that require endurance. Example: "During the marathon, it's important to pace yourself to avoid exhaustion." Alternative expressions include "managing your energy" and "controlling your pace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Pacing yourself all along is very important," Dr. Gitomer said.

The New York Times

These tips for Pacing yourself should make your networking experience more manageable and enjoyable.

Yale University

I don't even mean partying, but in terms of giving everything onstage instead of pacing yourself".

The New York Times

Pacing yourself, especially at the beginning, will help you establish confidence, self-awareness, and a strong fitness base.

Columbia University

Due to the length and intensity of these events, pacing yourself to maintain your energy is important.

Columbia University

That doesn't necessarily mean spending less time helping; it can be more about pacing yourself and allocating your time wisely.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"You just pace yourself".

The New York Times - Sports

You just have to pace yourself.

The Guardian - Opinion

HOW do you pace yourself during standardized tests?

The New York Times

In troubled times it's important to pace yourself.

The New York Times

You don't pace yourself, just go nuts.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When tackling a long-term project, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks and allocate specific timeframes for each. This approach mirrors "pacing yourself", preventing overwhelm and ensuring consistent progress.

Common error

Avoid starting a task with maximum intensity, as this can lead to early burnout. Just like in a marathon, "pacing yourself" from the beginning ensures you have enough energy to finish strong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pacing yourself" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun. It describes the act of managing one's energy or effort over time. This is evident in the examples provided by Ludwig, where it's used to advise on maintaining energy levels during activities like marathons or long events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

24%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pacing yourself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that advises managing one's energy or effort over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability across diverse contexts, ranging from News & Media to Academia. To convey similar meanings, alternatives like "managing your energy" or "controlling your pace" can be used. When using "pacing yourself", remember to distribute your efforts evenly and avoid early overexertion to ensure sustained progress and prevent burnout.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managing your energy

Focuses on the efficient use of energy, emphasizing conservation and strategic allocation.

controlling your pace

Highlights the act of regulating speed or progress, particularly in continuous activities.

distributing your effort

Stresses the allocation of effort across different tasks or periods to avoid burnout.

regulating your tempo

Implies adjusting the rhythm or rate at which something is done to maintain sustainability.

conserving your strength

Emphasizes the preservation of physical or mental strength for later use, often in challenging situations.

spreading out your activities

Suggests dispersing activities over a period to avoid overloading oneself.

monitoring your exertion

Focuses on observing and managing the level of effort expended to prevent overexertion.

modulating your intensity

Implies adjusting the level of intensity at which an activity is performed to optimize performance and endurance.

balancing your workload

Stresses the importance of distributing tasks evenly to maintain productivity and avoid stress.

allocating your resources wisely

Highlights the strategic distribution of resources, including time and energy, for maximum effectiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "pacing yourself" in a sentence?

"Pacing yourself" involves managing your energy or effort over a period. For example, "During the exam, it's important to "pace yourself" to avoid running out of time."

What are some alternatives to "pacing yourself"?

Alternatives include "managing your energy", "controlling your pace", or "distributing your effort" depending on the context.

Is "pacing yourself" formal or informal?

"Pacing yourself" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase for various situations.

What does "pacing yourself" mean in the context of a project?

In the context of a project, "pacing yourself" means managing your workload and energy levels to ensure sustained productivity and prevent burnout. It involves setting realistic goals and taking regular breaks.