temper myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "temper myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of controlling or moderating one's emotions or reactions, often in a situation that requires restraint. Example: "In moments of anger, I remind myself to temper myself before responding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Everyone has lost their temper, myself included.

The Guardian - Sport

"I try to temper myself because I'm not sure where it's going to go in two weeks," Tortorella said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I almost had a temper tantrum myself at that point.

Huffington Post

When I'm collected enough to recall Jean's sage advice, I try pulling my kids close instead of losing my temper and then hating myself for it.

The New York Times

"I have had to learn to temper things and remind myself that I'm not a free agent," said Ms. Enck.

The New York Times

When he was asked, on August 9th, if the U.N. was there as "just a cover for the American invasion," his temper flared: "Kofi Annan and myself are independent from anyone".

The New Yorker

Nine years ago, after a lifetime of mood swings and temper tantrums, I found myself considering the possibility of steering my wheel hard to the right and hurtling off the Golden Gate Bridge.

The New York Times

Nurlan (17), who was in jail briefly for his violent behaviour in the streets towards other youngsters, said: "I have had problems with my temper and have put myself into trouble.

Unicef

I started behaving myself, and controlling my temper".

The New Yorker

He was not a robust child and his aunt "instructed me to compose myself in sleep, with a temper as if I were never again to wake in this sublunary world".

SEP

Yet I do not myself think that having a bad temper makes someone a bad man.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "temper myself" when you want to convey a deliberate effort to control your reactions, particularly in situations where you might otherwise overreact. It's suitable for reflective writing or when describing a conscious strategy for managing emotions.

Common error

Avoid using "temper myself" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "calm down" or "control my emotions" are often more appropriate for everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "temper myself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of tempering or moderating is directed back to the self. It describes the act of controlling one's own emotions or reactions. Ludwig AI confirms that this is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "temper myself" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of controlling or moderating one's emotions. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. While not overly common, it appears in reliable sources like the The New York Times and The Guardian. It's most suited for neutral to professional contexts where self-regulation and conscious emotional management are emphasized. Related phrases include "control my emotions" and "restrain myself", offering similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Control my emotions

Focuses on the general act of managing emotional responses.

Restrain myself

Emphasizes holding back or suppressing impulses or reactions.

Calm myself down

Highlights the process of becoming less agitated or excited.

Moderate my behavior

Suggests adjusting actions to be less extreme or intense.

Keep myself in check

Implies a conscious effort to monitor and regulate one's actions and words.

Exercise self-control

Highlights the deliberate act of using willpower to manage impulses.

Hold myself back

Focuses on preventing oneself from acting impulsively.

Soften my approach

Indicates a change to a gentler or more subtle manner.

Curbe my enthusiasm

Specifically refers to reducing excitement or eagerness.

Keep a lid on it

An idiom meaning to keep something secret or under control.

FAQs

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

You can use "temper myself" to describe a conscious effort to control your emotions or reactions. For example: "I try to "temper myself" in stressful situations to avoid overreacting."

What are some alternatives to "temper myself"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "control my emotions", "restrain myself", or "calm myself down". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it more formal to say "temper myself" or "calm down"?

"Temper myself" generally carries a slightly more formal tone than "calm down", which is more casual and commonly used in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "temper myself" and "control myself"?

"Control myself" is a broader term that refers to managing one's behavior in general, while ""temper myself"" specifically relates to managing one's emotions or reactions to keep them within reasonable bounds.