the chief himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the chief himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the involvement or presence of the chief in a situation or action, often to highlight their authority or direct participation. Example: "During the meeting, the chief himself addressed the concerns raised by the community members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The chief himself didn't take up any of that time until practically the last moment.

The New Yorker

Earlier this week, a bomb severely wounded the son of Ramadi's police chief and his translator; the chief himself was unhurt.

The New York Times

The chief pulled out his pistol and shot one of the attackers; as he did, the man's suicide vest exploded, wounding the other two bombers and the chief himself.

The New York Times

Instead Halo 4's bad guys bring their own cover, the aforementioned Watcher beaming shields in front of its allies for example, while most enemies (certainly of the larger variety) come with their own self-recovering personal shields to rival that of the Chief himself.

Independent

Positive and negative developments have intertwined: violence has declined in Juárez, with murders down by around a third over the last year; at the same time, complaints of human rights abuses by the police have increased, including some against the chief himself; and now that La Linea is gone, one of its rivals, the Sinaloa cartel, has become more powerful.

The New York Times

Second, the Chief himself may publish the maxim according to which rebellion will be sanctioned with death, "for when he knows he possesses irresistible power he need not fear vitiating his own purpose by publishing his maxims" (1795: 383).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In one of the most sophisticated attacks, the police chief himself had been the target of a suicide bomber who had reached one of his offices in the heart of the heavily fortified Kabul police headquarters.

BBC

In Ridgefield, N.J., the right person when a town resident was identified was the police chief himself, John Bogavich, although the family's priest actually broke the news.

The New York Times

Every seven weeks bureau commanders are grilled by a senior panel, often including the police chief himself, on the whys and wherefores of crime in their jurisdictions.

The Economist

When they leave, the police chief himself waves them off - loneliness is the biggest problem here, he said.

BBC

When he was only 12 his father died and Mandela went to live with the paramount chief himself.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the chief himself" to underscore the personal involvement or direct action taken by a leader, particularly when it contrasts with delegated responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "the chief himself" too frequently in formal documents; it can sound redundant. Opt for more concise alternatives like "the chief personally" or simply "the chief".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the chief himself" functions as an appositive phrase, emphasizing the role and direct involvement of the chief. As noted by Ludwig AI, it highlights that the chief, rather than a subordinate, is personally involved in a particular action or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

25%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the chief himself" is a grammatically correct way to emphasize the direct involvement or personal action of a leader. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While not overly common, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, remember that it adds emphasis and can highlight authority, but should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "the chief personally" or simply "the chief" might be more appropriate in some situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the head personally

Emphasizes the personal involvement of the head of an organization.

the director directly

Highlights the direct action or decision-making of the director.

the leader in person

Focuses on the physical presence and direct participation of the leader.

the manager oversaw it

Highlights the oversight role of the manager

the principal intervened

Emphasizes the intervention of the principal.

the commander supervised

Underscores the role of the commander in supervising the operations.

the president officiated

Focuses on the president's role in officiating or leading a ceremony.

the CEO approved

Highlights the CEO's approval as a key decision.

the governor proclaimed

Emphasizes the governor's official announcement or declaration.

the prime minister stated

Highlights a statement or declaration made directly by the prime minister.

FAQs

How can I use "the chief himself" in a sentence?

You can use "the chief himself" to emphasize the direct involvement or personal action of a leader, such as in sentences like, "The chief himself approved the project".

What are some alternatives to "the chief himself"?

Some alternatives include "the head personally", "the director directly", or "the leader in person" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "the chief himself"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "the chief himself" can sometimes be redundant if the context already implies the chief's personal involvement. Consider using a more concise phrasing if appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "the chief himself" instead of just "the chief"?

Use "the chief himself" when you want to specifically highlight that the chief, rather than someone else or a subordinate, is taking direct action or responsibility. It adds emphasis to their personal involvement.