policing myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "policing myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing self-regulation, self-discipline, or monitoring one's own behavior and actions. Example: "I find that policing myself helps me stay focused on my goals and avoid distractions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I just have to be better at policing myself," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm constantly policing myself, just being aware of what I say and how it can be interpreted because I essentially am the representation of the black community".

Huffington Post

It was such a ridiculous thing to worry about, and it was one of the more benign ways I was constantly policing myself.

Vice

I feel like breaking those stereotypes as well as what it means to be respectable in different environments, whether it's with your friends or in corporate settings, I've been very diligent in not policing myself and making sure I don't code switch.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I had a childhood friend named Jill and an anti-carjacking device called a Club I policed myself with by thinking hard of my membership in and keen sense of the end of belonging.

The New Yorker

And as a queer woman, I didn't realize that I had to police myself in certain areas here.

Vice

It's exhausting to have to police myself in order to seem palatable to white people and be seen as worthy of being treated well.

Vice

From trying not to talk too loudly in public (because black people are "loud") to making sure I don't smell like food anytime I leave the house, it's exhausting to have to police myself in order to seem palatable to white people and be seen as worthy of being treated well.

Vice

"What I have to do now is police myself".

The New York Times - Sports

PH: Are you going to accept your responsibility or do I have to contact the police myself and tell them what you told me?

Independent

From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Date: June 10 , 11 14Subject: CONFIDENTIAL Elaine, The investigation into the death of Christine Miller is ongoing, but having now visited the reservoir and spoken to local police myself, I wanted to bring you up to speed.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "policing myself" when you want to emphasize the act of self-regulation and control, especially in contexts where external rules or expectations might otherwise apply.

Common error

While acceptable, "policing myself" can sometimes sound informal. In very formal or academic writing, consider using alternatives like "self-regulating" or "exercising self-control" to maintain a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "policing myself" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act of self-regulation or monitoring one's own behavior. As Ludwig AI underlines, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "policing myself" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to the act of self-regulation and monitoring one's own behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although its usage is relatively rare and primarily found in news and media contexts. When choosing whether to use this phrase, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. In more formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "self-regulating" or "exercising self-control".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regulating my own behavior

Changes the verb "policing" to "regulating" and specifies "my own behavior" for clarity.

monitoring my actions

Replaces "policing" with "monitoring" and "myself" with "my actions", focusing on observable conduct.

exercising self-control

Uses a more general term, "self-control", to describe the act of restraining oneself.

keeping myself in check

Employs an idiomatic expression, "keeping in check", to convey the idea of self-monitoring.

governing my conduct

Uses the more formal word "governing" instead of "policing", implying a structured approach to behavior.

disciplining myself

Highlights the aspect of self-discipline involved in controlling one's actions.

controlling my impulses

Focuses specifically on managing one's immediate desires or urges.

managing my own behavior

Similar to regulating behavior, this emphasizes the act of managing or directing one's conduct.

being mindful of my words and actions

Shifts the focus to awareness and attentiveness regarding one's behavior.

restraining myself

Emphasizes the act of holding back or limiting one's own behavior or expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "policing myself" to describe the act of self-regulation, as in "I find that "policing myself" helps me stay focused on my goals." Another example is: "After the incident, he knew he had to start "policing myself"."

What does "policing myself" mean?

The phrase "policing myself" refers to the act of monitoring and controlling one's own behavior, actions, or thoughts, often to adhere to certain standards or avoid negative consequences. It implies a deliberate effort to self-regulate.

Which is a more formal alternative to "policing myself"?

More formal alternatives to "policing myself" include "self-regulating", "exercising self-control", or "monitoring my behavior". These options may be more appropriate for academic or professional writing.

Is "policing myself" always used in a negative context?

No, "policing myself" is not always negative. While it can imply a need to restrain oneself from negative behaviors, it can also describe a positive effort to maintain standards or improve one's conduct. The context determines the connotation.