taking myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is referring to self-reflection, self-care, or personal responsibility. Example: "I need some time for taking myself away from the chaos and focusing on my mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Where am I taking myself?

The New Yorker

It's about not taking myself seriously".

The New York Times

And taking myself through different scenarios emotionally.

The Guardian - Film

I spent a lot of time taking myself too seriously.

The New York Times

"I want them to think I'm not taking myself seriously".

The New York Times

Marcello: I'm a useless painter, / Taking myself much too seriously.

The Guardian - Music

I wasn't even sure if I was taking myself seriously".

The New York Times

It's taking myself out of my comfort zone and right now the move is really exciting.

Independent

I've learned through plenty of mistakes and not taking myself too seriously.

The New York Times

But as a result of that I am taking myself more seriously.

The Guardian - Film

"By not taking myself too seriously, I really don't take the comments too seriously," Bavetta said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking myself", consider the context to ensure it clearly conveys self-reflection, personal responsibility, or self-care. Be specific about the action following the phrase to enhance clarity. For example, "taking myself out for dinner" is more descriptive than simply "taking myself".

Common error

Avoid using "taking myself" without a clear action or destination. Ensure the sentence provides enough information about what you are doing for yourself, to prevent ambiguity. Instead of saying 'I'm just taking myself,' specify 'I'm taking myself on a break' or 'I'm taking myself to a quiet place'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking myself" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun in a sentence. It often describes the act of engaging in an activity alone or initiating a personal action, such as in 'I am taking myself to the movies'. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking myself" is a common and grammatically sound way to express self-engagement and personal action, as supported by numerous examples from diverse and authoritative sources, according to Ludwig AI. Primarily functioning as a gerund phrase, it conveys a sense of individual initiative and responsibility. While versatile, it's best used with a clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "focusing on myself" or "prioritizing myself" can offer nuanced variations. Overall, "taking myself" is a useful and acceptable phrase for expressing self-directed activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focusing on myself

Emphasizes concentrating on personal needs and well-being.

prioritizing myself

Highlights the act of making oneself a priority.

considering myself

Suggests a process of evaluating or thinking about one's own situation.

treating myself

Implies indulging in something pleasurable for oneself.

challenging myself

Focuses on pushing one's own limits and seeking self-improvement.

bettering myself

Highlights working on making improvements on oneself.

cultivating myself

Highlights the attention one put in their personal growth.

educating myself

Focus on the act of learning on their own.

developing myself

Highlights the act of self-development.

promoting myself

Implies self-promotion.

FAQs

What does "taking myself" mean?

"Taking myself" generally refers to engaging in an activity alone, often for personal enjoyment, self-care, or self-reflection. It can imply personal agency and responsibility for one's own well-being.

How can I use "taking myself" in a sentence?

You can use "taking myself" to describe actions you do alone, such as "I'm "taking myself out to dinner"," or to describe a process of self-improvement, such as "I'm "taking myself more seriously" now".

What are some alternatives to "taking myself"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "focusing on myself", "prioritizing myself", or "treating myself".

Is it grammatically correct to use "taking myself"?

Yes, "taking myself" is grammatically correct. It is a gerund phrase often used to describe an action done to or for oneself. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.