tell herself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tell herself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where someone is communicating or reminding themselves of something internally. Example: "She often had to tell herself that she was capable of achieving her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Maybe he's not so bad, she'd tell herself.

The New Yorker

Then tell herself: Yes, there are many layers to this.

The New York Times

"You're not there, JoAnn," she tries to tell herself.

The New Yorker

But she had her savings, she'd tell herself.

The New York Times - Magazine

She said she would tell herself to "get a grip and separate myself from my iPhone".

The New York Times

But she'd tell herself, "They only give it to, like, 10 people, so let's be realistic".

The New York Times - Arts

Osaka could tell herself that Kvitova was supposed to win that game.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Courage, she tells herself.

The New Yorker

So easy, she told herself.

Independent

Come on, she told herself.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Breathe," she told herself.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tell herself", ensure the context clearly indicates an internal monologue or self-directed thought. This phrasing is most effective when portraying a character's internal state or decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "tell herself" when the character is actually speaking aloud to someone else. Reserve this phrase for moments when the character is having a private conversation with herself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tell herself" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating an internal act of communication or self-persuasion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase accurately describes someone engaging in internal dialogue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tell herself" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to depict internal dialogues or self-reassurances. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a common way to show a character's inner thoughts in writing. Its use is widespread across diverse media, particularly news and literary contexts, with a neutral tone appropriate for various narrative styles. When employing "tell herself", writers should focus on its capacity to illustrate internal reasoning and avoid confusing it with spoken dialogue. Consider similar phrases like "say to herself" or "remind herself" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

say to herself

Replaces "tell" with "say", emphasizing the act of speaking internally.

think to herself

Focuses on the thought process rather than the act of communication.

remind herself

Highlights the act of recalling or bringing something to her own attention.

convince herself

Implies an effort to persuade herself of something.

reason with herself

Suggests a logical or rational internal debate.

assure herself

Focuses on providing reassurance or comfort to herself.

imagine herself saying

Emphasizes the act of envisioning herself speaking.

mutter to herself

Suggests speaking quietly and internally, often under her breath.

whisper to herself

Implies a very quiet and private act of speaking to herself.

mentally affirm

Highlights making positive declarations to herself.

FAQs

How can I use "tell herself" in a sentence?

Use "tell herself" to indicate an internal monologue or self-reassurance, such as, "She would "tell herself" that everything would be alright, even when it seemed impossible."

What are some alternatives to "tell herself"?

You can use phrases like "say to herself", "think to herself", or "remind herself" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tell herself" formal or informal?

"Tell herself" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing, though it is more commonly found in narrative or descriptive contexts.

What is the difference between "tell herself" and "told herself"?

"Tell herself" is used in the present tense to describe a recurring or habitual action, while "told herself" is used in the past tense to describe a one-time event in the past.