self taught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "self taught" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has learned a skill or subject on their own without formal education or instruction. Example: "She is a self taught artist who has developed her unique style through years of practice and experimentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'm just self taught!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We were self-taught.

The New York Times

I consider myself self-taught".

Vice

TH: I'm completely self-taught.

Huffington Post

"Self-taught," he said.

The New Yorker

— and is largely self-taught.

The New York Times

Poulenc was largely self-taught.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And Dominguez is self-taught.

The New York Times - Sports

Smithson was largely self-taught.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Inness was largely self-taught.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mooney was largely self-taught.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "self taught", specify the skill or area of expertise to provide context. For instance, "self taught programmer" or "self taught artist".

Common error

Being "self taught" doesn't necessarily mean someone is less skilled than someone formally trained. Highlight their accomplishments and expertise to avoid this misconception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "self taught" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that someone has acquired a skill or knowledge independently. Ludwig shows this use across a multitude of examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "self taught" is a common and grammatically sound adjective used to describe individuals who have acquired skills or knowledge independently, without formal instruction. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage spans various contexts, from news media to encyclopedias, highlighting an individual's initiative and resourcefulness. While interchangeable with terms like "self-educated" or "autodidactic", "self taught" specifically emphasizes the skill-based aspect of independent learning. When using this phrase, it's crucial to specify the area of expertise and avoid assumptions of lesser skill compared to formally trained individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-educated

Emphasizes the educational aspect of independent learning.

autodidactic

A more formal and less common term for self-teaching.

self-instructed

Highlights the act of instructing oneself.

self-trained

Suggests a focus on practical skills and training, rather than academic knowledge.

independently learned

Focuses on the independence of the learning process.

gained knowledge independently

Highlights independent acquisition of knowledge.

developed independently

Focuses on the skill being created or refined by oneself, without outside guidance.

personally taught

Emphasizes that the person's effort is fundamental to the learning process.

learnt through experience

Highlights the role of real-world experience in skill acquisition.

home-schooled

Refers specifically to education received at home, often without formal instruction but with parental guidance.

FAQs

How can I use "self taught" in a sentence?

You can use "self taught" to describe someone who has learned a skill or subject on their own, without formal education. For example, "She is a "self taught musician" who plays multiple instruments".

What's a more formal way to say "self taught"?

A more formal alternative to "self taught" is "autodidactic". This term is less common but carries a similar meaning of self-learning.

Is it correct to use "self taught" as a hyphenated adjective?

Yes, "self taught" is often used as a hyphenated adjective before a noun, such as "a self-taught artist" or "a self-taught programmer".

What's the difference between "self taught" and "self-educated"?

While both terms imply learning without formal instruction, "self taught" often refers to acquiring a specific skill, while "self-educated" usually implies a broader, more comprehensive learning experience.