take ourselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take ourselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals are discussing self-reflection, personal responsibility, or collective action. Example: "In order to grow as a community, we must take ourselves seriously and address the issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We Should Never Take Ourselves Too Seriously.

Huffington Post

"Not to take ourselves seriously," someone said.

The New Yorker

Let's not take ourselves so seriously".

The New York Times

We'd take ourselves right to the brink.

The Guardian - Music

We don't take ourselves too seriously.

The New Yorker

Wherever we go, we'll take ourselves with us.

The New Yorker

We don't take ourselves too seriously in fashion".

The New York Times

"We don't take ourselves super-seriously," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

"We don't take ourselves too seriously," Enfield said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't think we take ourselves too seriously here".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We took ourselves seriously".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take ourselves", ensure that the context clarifies whether you are referring to self-importance, self-assessment, or a specific action.

Common error

Avoid using "take ourselves" in contexts where a light-hearted or humorous tone is more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make the communication sound overly formal or self-important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take ourselves" functions primarily as a reflexive verb phrase. It indicates that the action of 'taking' or perceiving is directed back to the subject, emphasizing self-assessment, responsibility, or seriousness, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

0.5%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take ourselves" is a versatile expression used to convey self-perception, responsibility, or seriousness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it can be used to encourage self-awareness and responsible action, it is important to avoid overusing the phrase in contexts where a lighter tone is more appropriate. Alternatives like "consider ourselves" or "regard ourselves" can provide nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider ourselves

Focuses more on self-perception and judgment.

regard ourselves

Emphasizes how we view or assess ourselves.

see ourselves

Highlights the perspective from which we observe ourselves.

view ourselves

Similar to 'see ourselves' but can imply a more critical or analytical perspective.

carry ourselves

Relates to how we behave or present ourselves in public.

conduct ourselves

Focuses on behavior and actions, especially in formal settings.

behave ourselves

Implies controlling our behavior, often in response to social expectations.

handle ourselves

Refers to how we manage or cope with situations.

present ourselves

Emphasizes the image or impression we create.

compose ourselves

Implies regaining control over one's emotions or demeanor.

FAQs

How can I use "take ourselves" in a sentence?

You can use "take ourselves" to express the need for self-assessment, responsibility, or seriousness. For instance, "We need to "take ourselves" more seriously if we want to achieve our goals."

What does it mean to "take ourselves" too seriously?

Taking ourselves too seriously means placing excessive importance on our own actions, opinions, or status. It often involves a lack of humor or perspective. For example, "It's important to be dedicated, but we shouldn't "take ourselves too seriously"."

Which is the better alternative: "consider ourselves" or "take ourselves"?

"Consider ourselves" emphasizes self-perception, whereas "take ourselves" implies responsibility and action. The best choice depends on the context. If you're discussing how you view yourselves, use "consider ourselves". If you're talking about behaving responsibly, use ""take ourselves"".

What's the difference between "take ourselves" and "behave ourselves"?

"Take ourselves" focuses on how seriously we approach something or how we perceive our responsibilities, while "behave ourselves" refers to our conduct and manners. One is about attitude; the other, about behavior.