say to yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "say to yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that a person should think and or speak something to themselves internally rather than to another person. For example: "Remember to stay positive and, if you need to, say to yourself that you can do it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Say to yourself, "Damn it!

The New Yorker

This is nuts, you say to yourself.

The New Yorker

You say to yourself: "How about that?

The New York Times

"Milk!" you might say to yourself.

The Guardian

Say to yourself There is a positive side to stress.

University of California, Berkeley

You say to yourself, 'Aha, here you are.

The New Yorker

Say to yourself: "I can achieve all my fitness goals.

Independent

"It's too good to be true," you say to yourself.

The New York Times

"You say to yourself: 'What is the priority today?

The Guardian

Better by far to say to yourself: "I am weak.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You almost say to yourself: who are you?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "say to yourself" to emphasize the internal nature of a thought or statement, distinguishing it from spoken communication. For example: "When faced with a challenge, "say to yourself", 'I can do this'."

Common error

Avoid using "say to yourself" when you actually mean to address someone else directly. For instance, instead of ""Say to yourself" what you want," use "Tell me what you want" when speaking to another person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "say to yourself" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating the act of speaking or thinking something internally. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in conveying inner monologues or self-affirmations. The phrase emphasizes the directedness of the statement toward oneself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

34%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "say to yourself" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe internal thoughts or self-directed speech. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility in emphasizing the internal nature of a statement. It appears frequently in contexts like news, media, and self-help resources. When using the phrase, ensure you are referring to an internal thought process rather than direct communication with another person. Consider using alternatives like "tell yourself" or "think to yourself" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "say to yourself" to emphasize internal thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tell yourself

A more direct synonym, focusing on the act of instructing oneself.

think to yourself

Emphasizes the mental process of considering something internally.

ask yourself

Focuses on posing a question to oneself for reflection or consideration.

repeat to yourself

Highlights the act of reiterating something internally for emphasis or memorization.

mutter to yourself

Suggests speaking quietly and indistinctly to oneself.

whisper to yourself

Implies a very quiet, almost secretive manner of self-address.

assure yourself

Focuses on providing reassurance or confidence to oneself.

convince yourself

Suggests persuading oneself of something, often in the face of doubt.

reason with yourself

Implies engaging in internal dialogue to reach a conclusion or decision.

ponder to yourself

Emphasizes a thoughtful and deliberate process of internal consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "say to yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "say to yourself" to indicate an internal thought or affirmation, such as, "Before a big presentation, I always "say to yourself", 'You've got this!'"

What are some alternatives to "say to yourself"?

Alternatives include "tell yourself", "think to yourself", or "ask yourself", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "say to yourself"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to use "say to yourself" to describe internal dialogue or affirmations. It's a common and accepted phrase in English.

When is it appropriate to use "say to yourself" instead of "think"?

"Say to yourself" implies a more deliberate and often verbalized internal thought, whereas "think" is a more general term for mental activity. Use "say to yourself" when emphasizing the self-directed nature of the internal statement.