strengthening me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strengthening me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing how something or someone is providing support, encouragement, or empowerment to you. Example: "The positive feedback from my peers is strengthening me in my pursuit of personal growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"They have been with me every step of the way, each with a warm hand in the small of my back, lifting me when I am down, strengthening me when I am weak, and filling me when I'm empty.

The New Yorker

In contrast, the Church, he said, had been "the mould that was shaping me correctly and strengthening me not to be reshaped by the culture I was working in".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

4 13", in reference to the Bible verse Philippians 4 13 ("I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me").

Wikipedia

The second line, "That saved a wretch like me!" has been rewritten as "That saved and strengthened me", "save a soul like me", or "that saved and set me free".

Wikipedia

His baseball glove has the reference for the Bible verse Philippians 4 13 on it, and Hughes has the entire verse ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me").

Wikipedia

Thank you to my elders whose prayers strengthened me.

Independent

That forged my character, and it also strengthened me".

The New York Times - Magazine

The authorities wanted to break me but they strengthened me.

The Guardian

"All these experiences strengthened me as a woman," she wrote.

The New Yorker

"I pray thee, strengthen me, O Lord, only this once.

The Guardian

But the mirrors that strengthened me, that filled me with new life, made Monica bristle.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "empowering me" or "bolstering me" for slight variations in meaning. For example, "empowering me" suggests giving you control, while "bolstering me" suggests increasing your confidence.

Common error

Avoid using "strengthening me" in situations where you're simply describing a static state or passively receiving support. Instead, consider more active verbs that emphasize your own role in the process. For example, instead of "the experience was strengthening me", try "I grew stronger through the experience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strengthening me" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It often serves as the object of a preposition or as part of a larger verb phrase, describing an ongoing process of becoming stronger or more resilient. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strengthening me" is a grammatically sound and widely used gerund phrase that describes an ongoing process of becoming more robust or capable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, from news reports to personal reflections. The phrase's versatility is underscored by its presence across diverse sources like The New Yorker and BBC. When writing, remember that "strengthening me" emphasizes a continuous development, and consider alternatives such as "empowering me" or "bolstering me" for slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

giving me strength

This option directly expresses the act of bestowing power or resilience.

empowering me

This alternative focuses on giving someone power and control over their own life or situation, emphasizing agency and independence.

building me up

Focuses on the gradual process of improving someone's confidence and capabilities.

bolstering me

This suggests providing support and reinforcement, often to increase confidence or stability.

fortifying me

Implies making someone stronger and more resilient, often against external challenges or threats.

supporting me

Focuses on providing assistance and encouragement during a difficult time.

uplifting me

Highlights the emotional and psychological boost someone receives, often improving their mood and perspective.

making me resilient

Highlights the outcome of becoming more resistant to adversity.

sustaining me

Emphasizes providing ongoing support and resources to maintain someone's strength and well-being over time.

developing my potential

Implies nurturing someone's capacity for growth and achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "strengthening me" in a sentence?

You can use "strengthening me" to describe something that is making you more capable, resilient, or confident. For instance, "The challenges I faced in that role were unexpectedly strengthening me".

What are some alternatives to "strengthening me"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "empowering me", "bolstering me", or "making me more resilient".

Is "strengthening me" grammatically correct?

Yes, "strengthening me" is grammatically correct. It's a gerund phrase that can function as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

What's the difference between "strengthening me" and "strengthened me"?

"Strengthening me" is a continuous process, while "strengthened me" indicates a completed action. For example, "The training is strengthening me" (ongoing) versus "The training strengthened me" (completed).