teach myself

USAGE SUMMARY

"teach myself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that you are learning something without the help of others. For example, "I'm determined to teach myself how to code."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"But I bet I could teach myself".

The New Yorker

I'd like to teach myself French.

The New Yorker

Instead, I decided to teach myself.

The Guardian

He has helped me teach myself.

The New York Times - Sports

I would teach myself, as in everything else.

The New York Times - Sports

"I tried to teach myself everything he was doing.

The New York Times - Arts

"I didn't even have the basics to teach myself to strengthen their education," he said.

The New York Times

I was trying to teach myself Italian outside of the classroom by referring to the familiar.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I taught myself computer programming.

The New York Times

"I'm not used to teaching myself.

The New York Times

"I taught myself to play the piano.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "teach myself" to emphasize self-reliance and independence in the learning process. It is appropriate when you want to highlight your ability to learn without external assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "teach myself" when you're actually enrolled in a course or receiving guidance from an instructor. The phrase is best suited for situations where your learning is primarily self-directed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "teach myself" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of learning something without external instruction. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage in contexts such as learning languages or technical skills independently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "teach myself" is a versatile and commonly used expression that highlights self-directed learning. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in both formal and informal contexts. The phrase conveys autonomy and initiative in acquiring knowledge or skills. While alternatives like "educate myself" and "learn on my own" exist, "teach myself" distinctly emphasizes the proactive and independent nature of the learning process. Remember to use this phrase when your learning is primarily self-guided, avoiding its use when formal instruction is involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

learn on my own

This alternative emphasizes the independent nature of the learning process, focusing on the absence of external instruction.

educate myself

This phrase suggests a more formal and structured approach to learning, implying a deliberate effort to gain knowledge.

study independently

Similar to "educate myself", this option highlights the self-reliant aspect of learning, especially in an academic context.

acquire knowledge by myself

This alternative stresses the act of gaining knowledge without assistance, highlighting self-sufficiency.

become self-taught

This phrase emphasizes the result of the learning process, indicating that the individual has achieved competence without formal instruction.

train myself

This option suggests a focus on developing specific skills or abilities through practice and self-discipline.

develop proficiency independently

This highlights the development of expertise or skill in a specific area through independent effort.

master a skill without instruction

This conveys the idea of gaining mastery or expertise in a particular skill without formal teaching.

figure it out on my own

This is a more informal alternative, suggesting a problem-solving approach to learning or acquiring knowledge.

pick it up myself

An informal phrase that implies learning something passively or through observation and practice, rather than formal study.

FAQs

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

Use "teach myself" to indicate that you are learning something independently. For example, "I plan to "teach myself guitar" this summer" or "I had to "teach myself the basics" of coding."

What's a more formal way to say "teach myself"?

More formal alternatives include "educate myself" or "study independently". These options are suitable for academic or professional contexts where a more sophisticated tone is preferred.

Is it correct to say "I will teach myself"?

Yes, "I will teach myself" is grammatically correct and indicates a future intention to learn something independently. It is commonly used and easily understood.

What is the difference between "teach myself" and "learn by myself"?

While similar, "teach myself" implies a more active and deliberate effort to acquire knowledge or skills, whereas "learn by myself" can suggest a more passive or observational approach. The distinction is subtle, but "teach myself" emphasizes self-direction.