smiling to myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smiling to myself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone is privately enjoying a moment or having a pleasant thought. For example: I was walking through the park, smiling to myself as I remembered our picnic yesterday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I was watching and smiling to myself as the owner told the boys to help themselves.

The New York Times

Smiling to myself, I got up and walked down to the corner seats to join a group of reporters.

The New York Times - Sports

This novel gave me nightmares and yet I sat up late, paradoxically smiling to myself with intense pleasure at the exact beauty of the singing prose.

The Guardian - Books

"OK," I said, thinking what those writings could have been, and also smiling to myself, knowing that when people say "writings", they are referring to the work of a madman.

The Guardian - Books

I was smiling to myself about some of the comments that were made afterwards, the jockey should have hung onto him or [that Sam Twishouldavies shaved have] ridden him differently, because at the end of the day this horse wins because he's a stayer.

The Guardian - Sport

Actor Emily Watson, 47, who recently won a Bafta for her appearance in Appropriate Adult, ITV1's drama about the Fred West investigation, gets the OBE and said the news had left her "quietly smiling to myself all day" but she was "slightly weirded out that someone somewhere in Whitehall has been watching my work".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I smile to myself.

The Guardian - Travel

I must have smiled to myself, ironically.

The New York Times

I smiled to myself as the nerves started to dissipate.

Independent

I just smiled to myself and made my lowest offer.

The New York Times

I smiled to myself thinking about how much he seemed to enjoy this kitchen chore.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add a more vivid description of the reason for the smile, follow the phrase with a clause explaining the cause, such as "smiling to myself, remembering a funny incident."

Common error

Avoid using "smiling to myself" when you intend to convey a more obvious or outwardly expressed emotion. Phrases like 'grinning widely' or 'laughing out loud' are more suitable for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smiling to myself" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a modifier to describe a state of being or an action performed privately. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies private enjoyment or pleasant thought. Examples show it describing reactions to memories or observations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

HuffPost

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smiling to myself" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a private moment of amusement or satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and is suitable for a neutral register. When using this phrase, consider whether you want to emphasize the private nature of the emotion or whether a more overt expression would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

internally grinning

Highlights the internal feeling of happiness or amusement, similar to smiling.

chuckling inwardly

Implies a suppressed laugh, suggesting amusement that isn't outwardly expressed.

amused in silence

Focuses on the feeling of amusement being experienced without any external expression.

smirking to myself

Suggests a more knowing or smug sense of satisfaction.

secretly pleased

Highlights the feeling of satisfaction or gratification that is kept private.

quietly delighted

Emphasizes the subdued yet intense feeling of joy or pleasure.

reminiscing with a smile

Implies that the smile is caused by thinking about something good from the past.

thinking with amusement

Focuses on the act of thinking about something in an amused way.

silently gloating

Suggests a private feeling of triumph or satisfaction, often over someone else.

enjoying the moment silently

Focuses on savoring the current experience without outward displays of emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "smiling to myself" in a sentence?

Use "smiling to myself" to describe a private moment of amusement or satisfaction. For example, "I was "walking down the street", smiling to myself as I thought about the good news."

What are some alternatives to "smiling to myself"?

Alternatives include "chuckling inwardly", "smirking to myself", or "quietly delighted", each conveying slightly different nuances of private amusement or satisfaction.

Is it correct to say "smile to myself" instead of "smiling to myself"?

While "smile to myself" might be understood, "smiling to myself" is the more grammatically correct and commonly used form to describe the act of smiling privately.

What's the difference between "smiling to myself" and "laughing to myself"?

"Smiling to myself" indicates a quieter, more subdued form of amusement or satisfaction, while "laughing to myself" suggests a more audible and expressive reaction to something funny or pleasing.