refresh themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

'refresh themselves' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to people or things, such as animals, that have stopped doing something for a while and are now doing it again. For example: The students took a short break to refresh themselves before continuing with their exams.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Even writers who have found their groove like to refresh themselves and their sleuths.

The New York Times - Books

During long days of labor, oystermen here often refresh themselves by eating them that way.

The New York Times

Employees spend so much time refreshing their inbox outside of the office, says Cooper, they fail to refresh themselves.

Independent

"Artists have that in their favour, which writers don't," says White. "They can constantly use new techniques to refresh themselves".

The Guardian - Arts

He recommends that those in need of a soda -- another word for bribe -- refresh themselves with a Fanta.

The New York Times

It also provides the opportunity for teachers, curators, and administrators to refresh themselves on recent developments in archaeology.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"People think they're refreshing themselves, but they're fatiguing themselves," said Marc Berman, a University of Michigan neuroscientist.

The New York Times - Tech

In the 19th century, moth collectors refreshed themselves here on their way to Wicken, a marshy hotspot for rare lepidoptera.

The Guardian - Travel

The ghosts of previous whims, past purchases and favourite timekillers stalk me, refreshing themselves noisily in my peripheral vision.

The Times

Many of those fans, presumably, refreshed themselves before and after games at a bar called the Double Play, across the intersection from the ballpark.

The New York Times - Sports

Locals and tourists from a cruise ship refreshed themselves with cold gulps of a Loire Valley white wine dispensed from an oak barrel and gorged themselves on baguettes stuffed with sausages and cheese.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about individuals or groups needing a break, use "refresh themselves" to suggest restoring energy and well-being after exertion or stress.

Common error

Avoid using "refresh themselves" when a non-reflexive verb is more appropriate. Ensure the subject is both the actor and the recipient of the action. Instead of saying "They refresh themselves with new strategies", consider "They refresh their strategies" if they are updating plans rather than taking a personal break.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refresh themselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of refreshing is directed back to the subject. Ludwig AI indicates it’s a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples show its use in various contexts where people or entities restore their energy or vitality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refresh themselves" is a versatile reflexive phrase used to describe the act of restoring energy or vitality, as indicated by Ludwig. It's grammatically sound and commonly found across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in formal business settings. While the phrase is suitable for general writing, it is crucial to ensure that it is used in situations where the subject is both the actor and the recipient of the action. Alternatives like "revive themselves" or "rejuvenate themselves" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revive themselves

Focuses on regaining consciousness or strength after a period of weakness or inactivity; stronger emphasis on recovery.

re-energize themselves

Highlights the act of replenishing energy levels, often after depletion due to exertion or stress.

revitalize themselves

Stresses infusing new life, vigor, or energy; suggests a more profound renewal than simply resting.

rejuvenate themselves

Emphasizes restoring youthfulness, vigor, or a fresh appearance; often implies a more significant transformation.

recharge themselves

Implies a process of replenishing energy or vitality, similar to charging a battery; modern and tech-oriented.

invigorate themselves

Suggests filling with energy or vitality, giving a sense of liveliness and freshness.

restore themselves

Focuses on returning to a former condition or state, often implying a need for repair or recovery.

replenish themselves

Focuses on restoring something that has been depleted, such as energy, resources, or supplies.

renew themselves

Highlights the process of making something new, fresh, or strong again; implies a fresh start.

recover themselves

Implies returning to a normal state of health, mind, or strength; emphasizes overcoming a negative condition.

FAQs

How can I use "refresh themselves" in a sentence?

The phrase "refresh themselves" is used when individuals or groups take a break to regain energy or vitality. For instance, "After a long hike, the travelers stopped by the river to "refresh themselves" before continuing."

What are some alternatives to "refresh themselves"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "revive themselves", "rejuvenate themselves", or "re-energize themselves" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "refresh them" instead of "refresh themselves"?

The phrase "refresh them" requires an object to be refreshed, whereas "refresh themselves" is reflexive, indicating that the subject is refreshing itself. For example, "The cool water seemed to refresh them". Using the reflexive form "refresh themselves" refers to them taking action to restore their energy or vitality.

What's the difference between "refresh themselves" and "rehabilitate themselves"?

"Refresh themselves" implies a short break to restore energy, while "rehabilitate themselves" refers to a more extensive process of recovery, often after an illness, injury, or addiction. Thus, "rehabilitate themselves" is used for a longer, more involved recovery process.