put himself forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put himself forward" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when someone volunteers for a role, position, or responsibility, often in a context where they are seeking recognition or leadership. Example: "During the meeting, he decided to put himself forward as a candidate for the committee chair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chaucer, he says, could not bear to put himself forward.

The New Yorker

Palazuelos, the telenovela star, had put himself forward as mediator.

The Guardian

Goddard did not put himself forward as a grotesque.

The Guardian

Miles Leeson put himself forward to mark English literature GCSE.

The Guardian

He should not have put himself forward for the role".

The Guardian - Business

"He did not like to put himself forward.

The Guardian

The KMT's leader, Eric Chu, did not put himself forward before a deadline on May 16th.

The Economist

In effect, he has put himself forward as the indispensable man.

The New York Times

Despite hints, he has not put himself forward as a candidate for the state's top job.

The New York Times

He did once put himself forward for election among his peers.

The Guardian

A 59-year-old, with decades of experience, put himself forward.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put himself forward" when emphasizing a proactive and often public declaration of candidacy or willingness to take on a role.

Common error

Avoid using "put himself forward" in situations where a person is simply performing their assigned duties. This phrase implies a voluntary action beyond regular responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put himself forward" functions as a verb phrase indicating a proactive action of volunteering or nominating oneself for a position or role. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it applies to various contexts, from political candidates to job applicants.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put himself forward" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase that describes the act of volunteering or nominating oneself for a particular role or position. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is suitable for written English. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, often referring to candidates in elections or individuals seeking professional opportunities. While the phrase is broadly applicable, it is important to ensure that its use reflects a proactive and often public declaration, rather than simply performing assigned duties. Related phrases include "nominate himself" and "volunteer himself", offering similar but nuanced alternatives. Overall, understanding the context and implications of "put himself forward" will improve clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nominate himself

Focuses on the act of formally suggesting oneself for a position.

volunteer himself

Emphasizes the willingness to offer one's services.

offer his candidacy

Highlights the formal act of presenting oneself as a candidate.

present himself as a candidate

Similar to "offer his candidacy" but with a slightly more descriptive tone.

step forward

Implies taking action and making oneself available.

put his name forward

Indicates suggesting oneself for consideration.

announce his availability

Focuses on making known one's readiness to take on a role.

make himself available

Similar to "announce his availability" but less formal.

come forward

Suggests responding to a call or need.

apply for the position

Highlights the formal act of seeking a job or role.

FAQs

How to use "put himself forward" in a sentence?

You can use "put himself forward" to describe someone who volunteers or nominates themselves for a role or position. For example: "He decided to "put himself forward" as a candidate for the committee chairwoman."

What can I say instead of "put himself forward"?

You can use alternatives like "nominate himself", "volunteer himself", or "offer his candidacy" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "put himself forward" or "put himself out there"?

"Put himself forward" specifically means to volunteer or nominate oneself for a position. "Put himself out there" is a more general phrase meaning to make oneself visible or available, often in a social or professional context. While related, they are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "put himself forward" and "promote himself"?

"Put himself forward" implies volunteering or offering oneself for a specific role or opportunity. "Promote himself" refers to actively advertising one's skills or accomplishments to advance one's career or reputation. The former is about seeking a particular position, while the latter is about general self-advancement.