profess something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profess something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone declares or openly states a belief, opinion, or feeling, often in a formal or public manner. Example: "He professes a deep commitment to environmental sustainability in all his business practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Why is the Romney who thinks about God the "real" one?) The corollary should be that nothing is as inauthentic as faith that is only opportunistically professed, something that this Pope, who has extended a hand to atheists, seems to know.

The New Yorker

He professes something of an addiction to cycling.

Duke University

True, on its surface, the word just means "someone who professes something," but at least there's a universally comprehensible view of what a professor does.

Science Magazine

It was really only said when I, as a child, probably professed something such as, I didn't mean to hurt my sister's feelings.

Huffington Post

Everything is done openly, nothing is rehearsed, and at the end the subjects see a rough cut and speak frankly about the film, as do Morin and Rouch, who profess it something of a failure as they walk around the Musée de l'Homme.

The Guardian - Film

But even among those who profess to know something about the subject, the common understanding is that Darwin said man came from monkeys".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

It is the same story with Mr. Gore's work ethic -- something Americans profess to love.

The New York Times

"It is the sort of thing you don't discuss, something you profess complete ignorance of when you attend the inevitable cocktail parties where this is the subject for discussion".

The New York Times

If you profess to believe in something, but your actions are not in integrity with it, you'll suffer and become stagnant.

Huffington Post

It's a much higher bid to profess your love of something than it is to express your approval of it.

Huffington Post

It is better to be yourself and risk having people not like you than to suffer the stress and tension that comes from pretending to be someone you're not, or professing to like something that you don't.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profess something" when you want to convey a formal or public declaration of a belief, feeling, or opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "profess something" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in everyday contexts; opt for simpler alternatives like "say" or "believe" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profess something" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "profess" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object. It indicates the act of openly declaring or affirming a belief, feeling, or opinion. Based on Ludwig AI, this phrase is generally considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

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Science

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profess something" is a grammatically correct phrase used to formally and openly declare a belief, feeling, or opinion. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase follows standard grammar rules. While versatile, it carries a degree of formality, making it most appropriate for professional, academic, or news-related contexts. Remember to consider simpler alternatives for informal communication. Since there is a lack of real world examples Ludwig suggests using alternatives in informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Declare something

This alternative emphasizes a formal or official announcement.

Assert something

This option highlights a confident and forceful statement of a belief.

Affirm something

This suggests a strong confirmation or validation of something.

Maintain something

This indicates consistently holding a belief or position, even in the face of opposition.

Avow something

This implies an open admission or declaration of a belief or feeling.

Confess something

This often suggests admitting something that one might otherwise conceal, especially a fault or weakness.

State something

This is a neutral alternative that simply conveys the act of expressing something.

Proclaim something

This suggests announcing something publicly and often emphatically.

Allege something

This implies asserting something without proof.

Testify to something

This suggests giving evidence or a formal statement about something.

FAQs

How can I use "profess something" in a sentence?

You can use "profess something" when someone declares or openly states a belief, opinion, or feeling, often in a formal or public manner. For example, "He "professes a deep commitment" to environmental sustainability".

What are some alternatives to "profess something"?

You can use alternatives like "declare something", "assert something", or "state something openly" depending on the context.

What is the level of formality when using "profess something"?

The phrase "profess something" carries a tone of formality and is most suitable in professional or academic writing, formal speeches, or when emphasizing the sincerity of a declaration. More informal contexts may benefit from less formal synonyms.

Is it correct to say "profess to something" instead of "profess something"?

While "profess something" is the standard construction, "profess to something" is grammatically correct but carries a different meaning, indicating claiming knowledge or skill in something. For example, "He "professes to be an expert" in the field" implies he claims expertise.