raise oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

"raise oneself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used in the context of improving one's own well-being or situation. For example, "She was determined to raise herself out of poverty."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In order to raise oneself beyond the merely aesthetic life, which is a life of drifting in imagination, possibility and sensation, one needs to make a commitment.

SEP

Hence Novalis's call for a romanticizing of the world does not involve perceiving it through a new or different lens, but the ability to raise oneself to a state of critical self-understanding.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mysticism is the raising of oneself to their level".

Wikipedia

(Of course, dressing like "oneself" raises other problems of authenticity).

The New Yorker

Did you know that hearing about terror and vitriol about oneself raises blood pressure?

Huffington Post

'Psychosomatic illness', in popular usage, tends to connote deception, if not of others then at least of oneself, raising sensitive questions about wilful motivation and individual culpability (Lawrie, 2000; Stone et al., 2004).

History of the Human Sciences

The really important questions about tertiary education – what its purpose is, what its long-term consequences are for the country, how those consequences are changed by the way we pay for it – we are no longer allowed to ask; purely by raising them, one puts oneself outside the spectrum of normality.

The Guardian - Opinion

It could, with facile oversimplification, be called a story of consciousness-raising — but, for Gerima, political consciousness isn't something to raise but to discover within oneself.

The New Yorker

Which raises a question: Why put oneself in this position?

Huffington Post

To fuck above and beyond any sense of disgust was not just a way of lowering oneself, it was to raise yourself above all prejudice.

The Guardian - Books

There are also many thousands of sexual queries, along with searches about "child porno" and "how to kill oneself by natural gas" that raise questions about what legal authorities can and should do with such information.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "raise oneself" when emphasizing a deliberate effort to improve one's moral, intellectual, or social standing. It suggests a conscious decision to move beyond current limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "raise oneself" in simple situations where a more direct verb like "improve" or "develop" would suffice. The phrase carries a connotation of significant effort or transformation, which may not always be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise oneself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. It describes an action that the subject performs on themselves, indicating self-improvement or elevation, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise oneself" is a grammatically correct reflexive verb phrase used to convey the idea of self-improvement or elevation. Ludwig highlights its use in philosophical and ethical contexts, suggesting a deliberate effort to improve one's position. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears in both science and news media sources. When writing, remember to use it when you want to stress a conscious decision to surpass limitations, and avoid it in simple contexts where a less evocative verb would work just as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better oneself

Focuses on the act of making oneself a better person, emphasizing moral or personal improvement.

improve oneself

Highlights the act of making improvements in various aspects of one's life, such as skills or knowledge.

elevate oneself

Suggests raising oneself to a higher status, either morally, intellectually, or socially.

advance oneself

Focuses on making progress in one's career or social standing.

develop oneself

Emphasizes the process of personal growth and skill enhancement.

cultivate oneself

Implies a more refined and deliberate approach to self-improvement.

transform oneself

Suggests a complete change in one's character or behavior.

transcend oneself

Indicates going beyond one's current limitations or state.

outdo oneself

Focuses on surpassing one's previous achievements or efforts.

exceed oneself

Implies going beyond what was expected of oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "raise oneself" in a sentence?

You can use "raise oneself" to describe an effort to improve one's social, moral, or intellectual position. For example, "In order to "raise oneself" beyond the merely aesthetic life, one needs to make a commitment."

What phrases are similar to "raise oneself"?

Similar phrases include "better oneself", "improve oneself", or "elevate oneself", all of which imply a conscious effort to develop or advance.

Is "raise oneself up" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "raise oneself up" can be considered redundant since "raise" already implies upward movement. It's generally more concise to simply use "raise oneself".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "raise oneself"?

It's appropriate to use "raise oneself" in contexts where there's a deliberate effort to improve one's state, such as in philosophical discussions or personal development narratives.