submit oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

"submit oneself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to someone who is willing to accept or comply with the directions, opinions, or judgements of someone else. For example: "The teacher asked the students to submit themselves to his authority and embrace the lesson plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"If one accepts to submit oneself, there is no danger," he said.

The New York Times

When I asked her why one should seek to submit oneself to such pressure, she told me.

The New Yorker

These days it is possible to do so quickly online and then submit oneself to post-publication peer review.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

What they often reflect is not so much a psychic transaction between sitter and artist, as the sheer tedium of submitting oneself to the painter's constant scrutiny, hour after hour, in the studio light.

The Guardian - Arts

Berkoff's Salome, Complicite's The Visit, early shows by Trestle, Pete Brooks, or best of all, submitting oneself to a day of Le Page's magnificent The Dragon Trilogy at the Riverside Studios.

The Guardian

For many, what finer transcendence could one expect than that obtained by submitting oneself to the spells wrought by Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, etc.? The benefits accrue: under the influence of my 22-year-old son, this 60-year-old has recently developed a fascination with Moby's beautifully hypnotic compositions; indeed, I find I'm rather addicted to them.

The New York Times - Tech

Says Van Alstyne, "It's standard First Amendment law that the more one becomes enmeshed in public issues, the more one submits oneself to First Amendment-protected abuse.

Duke University

But there's something religious at work here — not in the spiritual sense, but as regards submitting oneself to the higher god of cinema.

Vice

In HUNT1, attending and submitting oneself to the physical examination and answering the questionnaires was considered to be sufficient consent for participation [ 41].

BMC Geriatrics

They also note that they meet the common law definition of an employee as one who performs "services" for another and submits oneself to the "control" of another (a coach) in return for payment (a scholarship).

Huffington Post

To "respect," according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is "to feel or show deferential regard for"; to "submit" is "to yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "submit oneself", ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom one is submitting to, avoiding ambiguity. It is often used in contexts of authority, discipline, or acceptance of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "submit oneself" in casual or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or even archaic in modern contexts, so consider using more natural alternatives like "comply with" or "accept", depending on your context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "submit oneself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating an action where the subject is both performing and receiving the action. It is commonly used to denote yielding to authority or accepting a situation. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "submit oneself" is a grammatically correct and usable reflexive verb phrase, albeit relatively rare in contemporary English. Ludwig AI states that It typically denotes yielding to authority, accepting a situation, or complying with rules or demands. While grammatically sound, its formal tone may not always be suitable for casual contexts. Related phrases such as "yield to authority" or "comply with" may offer more accessible alternatives. When employing "submit oneself", ensure that the context is clearly defined and that the formality aligns with the intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject oneself to

Emphasizes the act of placing oneself under the power or control of something.

yield to authority

Focuses specifically on yielding to a recognized authority figure or institution.

defer to someone

Highlights the act of respectfully yielding to another's judgment or opinion.

surrender to control

Implies a complete relinquishing of one's own power or autonomy.

give in to influence

Highlights the act of being swayed by external forces or suggestions.

acquiesce to demands

Suggests a reluctant agreement or compliance with specific requests.

accede to requests

Suggests a formal agreement to a request or proposal.

comply with regulations

Specifically refers to adhering to established rules and guidelines.

bow to pressure

Implies yielding to external forces or influence, often against one's will.

resign oneself to fate

Focuses on accepting an inevitable outcome or destiny.

FAQs

How can I use "submit oneself" in a sentence?

You can use "submit oneself" when referring to yielding or surrendering to authority or a particular situation. For example, "The trainee had to submit oneself to the rigorous demands of the program".

What are some alternatives to "submit oneself"?

Alternatives to "submit oneself" include "yield to authority", "comply with", or "defer to someone" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "submit oneself"?

It is most appropriate to use "submit oneself" in formal or serious contexts where there is a clear power dynamic or a need to accept a difficult or demanding situation. For example, a soldier might "submit oneself" to the commands of a superior officer.

Is "submit oneself" considered formal language?

Yes, "submit oneself" is generally considered formal language. In less formal contexts, alternatives like "give in" or "accept" might be more suitable.