subject oneself to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subject oneself to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to allow something to happen or to make oneself obey a set of rules or laws. For example: She decided to subject herself to a strict diet and exercise routine in order to lose weight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Why subject oneself to the theatrics, or pretend that they had much to say?

The New Yorker

But, on the way, if you can see a bit of the wit that is in life itself and the way one has to subject oneself to that and even so find some irony, some self-amusement… It's a better way to live than being disgruntled all the time.

The New Yorker

In an area of endeavor where the body is the locus of athletic power and performance, the need to appear invulnerable collides with the need to subject oneself to the ministrations of trainers, doctors, and others who may not always have the athletes' condition as their first concern.

Forbes

Becoming utterly impoverished, so that one must beg or subject oneself to the will of another to survive, is also incompatible with equal freedom for all; so the state must establish some public policies to keep the poor from falling into a state of utter dependence on others.

SEP

It is true that many, if not most, expressions of loyalty occur against the background of some challenge to B's interests whose protection by A will be at some cost to A. Failures of loyalty often result in betrayal (of B, sometimes to C). Defending one's spouse in the face of criticism may also subject oneself to vilification.

SEP

Why subject oneself to bigoted, prejudiced imagery?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But subjecting oneself to hypothermic conditions, he explains, is only a small part of the process.

Independent

Realizing that being a senator would be too, too boring would be a personal reason, as would realizing that it would be too hard, as would deciding that the glory of the job isn't worth subjecting oneself to the attacks that come with it.

The New Yorker

Subjecting oneself to ritual does not, however, mean suppressing one's desires but instead learning how to reconcile one's own desires with the needs of one's family and community.

SEP

Similarly, Hume argues that the obligation to keep one's promises is intelligible only with reference to convention that, when one employs a certain "form of words" (e.g., "I promise to \ j\)"), one thereby expresses a resolution to \ j\) and subjects oneself to penalty if one does not \ j\).

SEP

Subjecting oneself to that takes a very special kind of moxie.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "subject oneself to", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the submission, as it often implies a deliberate choice or acceptance of certain conditions or risks.

Common error

Avoid using "subject oneself to" when a simpler verb like "undergo" or "experience" would suffice. The phrase implies a degree of volition and potential adversity, so ensure it fits the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subject oneself to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a voluntary action where an individual chooses to undergo or experience something, often implying acceptance of potential difficulties or external control. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "subject oneself to" is a grammatically sound construction used to describe the act of voluntarily undergoing something, frequently with the implication of accepting potential challenges or external influence. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When employing "subject oneself to", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the rationale behind the submission, as it typically signifies a conscious decision or acceptance of specified circumstances or risks. Alternatives like "expose oneself to" or "submit to" offer similar meanings, but the original phrase emphasizes a calculated decision to experience something, making it suitable for conveying acceptance, resilience, or adherence to protocols.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expose oneself to

Focuses more on the potential risks or effects of the action.

submit to

Implies yielding or surrendering to something, often an authority or process.

subject oneself to the dictates of

Emphasizes being controlled by something specific.

make oneself vulnerable to

Highlights the potential for harm or negative consequences.

put oneself at the mercy of

Indicates a loss of control and reliance on another's actions.

bow to

Implies deference or submission to an external pressure or authority.

resign oneself to

Suggests acceptance of something undesirable or inevitable.

yield to

Similar to 'submit to', but can also imply giving way to an emotion or impulse.

allow oneself to experience

Focuses on permitting an experience, whether positive or negative.

open oneself up to

Implies a willingness to receive or be affected by something.

FAQs

How can I use "subject oneself to" in a sentence?

You can use "subject oneself to" to describe voluntarily undergoing a process, like: "She decided to "subject herself to" rigorous training for the marathon".

What does "subject oneself to" mean?

The phrase "subject oneself to" means to expose oneself to something, often implying acceptance of something challenging or unpleasant.

Which is more appropriate: "undergo" or "subject oneself to"?

While "undergo" can sometimes replace "subject oneself to", the latter suggests a deliberate choice to experience something, whereas "undergo" is more neutral. Consider using "subject oneself to" when the action involves a degree of volition or acceptance of potential difficulty.

What can I say instead of "subject oneself to"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "subject oneself to" include "expose oneself to", "submit to", or "put oneself at the mercy of".