they blessed themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they blessed themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals are performing a self-blessing, often in a religious or spiritual sense. Example: "Before the ceremony began, they blessed themselves to seek guidance and protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They blessed themselves.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They then blessed themselves and left, but not before dropping coins, plink-plink, into the black boxes that say "For the Poor".

The New York Times - Arts

If teens complain that they are too lazy, then say it only takes a couple of seconds to bless themselves.

WikiHow

They serenaded the small wooden box containing Juan Gabriel's ashes as mourners filed past, many pausing to bless themselves with the sign of the cross.

Los Angeles Times

They blessed your church and blessed your world With gifts they used for you.

The New Yorker

They blessed us children abundantly.

Huffington Post

I believe they blessed the project".

Wikipedia

But they bless the ingredients before they make the biscuits.

The New Yorker

We hope that they bless it.

TechCrunch

If they were blessed with eyesight, they could look around and see them for themselves.

Huffington Post

"The Treasury Department should be ashamed of themselves," said Cantwell, "they have blessed this deal".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "they blessed themselves", ensure the context clearly indicates who 'they' refers to and why they are performing the blessing. This will improve clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they blessed themselves" when you mean someone else blessed them. Ensure the subject performing the blessing is also the recipient. For example, if a priest blessed a group, it would be "the priest blessed them", not "they blessed themselves".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "they blessed themselves" is as a verb phrase with a reflexive pronoun. It indicates an action performed by the subject upon themselves. Ludwig's analysis confirms this usage, aligning with examples of self-directed actions in religious or spiritual contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they blessed themselves" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a group performing an act of self-blessing, usually in a religious context. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase appears in diverse sources, ranging from news media to wikis. While not overly frequent, its usage is clear and consistent, and the related phrases like "they made the sign of the cross" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. Be mindful of using the reflexive pronoun correctly to avoid implying someone else blessed them. This analysis ensures you can confidently and accurately use "they blessed themselves" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they made the sign of the cross

Focuses on the specific gesture of a self-blessing in some Christian traditions.

they crossed themselves

Very similar to 'they made the sign of the cross', but shorter.

they invoked a blessing upon themselves

This is a more formal way of saying "they blessed themselves" using more sophisticated vocabulary.

they prayed for their own well-being

Shifts the focus from a blessing to a more general prayer for personal welfare.

they sought divine favor

Highlights the intention behind the act of blessing – seeking God's approval or help.

they consecrated themselves

Emphasizes a dedication or setting apart for a holy purpose.

they purified themselves

Focuses on removing impurities or negativity, often as a preparation for something sacred.

they asked for blessings

Shifts from performing the blessing to requesting it.

they wished themselves well

A more secular take on the idea, removing the religious connotation.

they said a prayer for themselves

Highlights the act of praying for oneself, rather than bestowing a blessing.

FAQs

What does "they blessed themselves" mean?

The phrase "they blessed themselves" means that a group of people performed an action, often religious in nature, to invoke divine favor or protection upon themselves. This typically involves making the sign of the cross or reciting a prayer.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "they blessed themselves"?

It's appropriate to use "they blessed themselves" in contexts where individuals are performing a self-blessing, often in a religious or spiritual sense, especially within Christian traditions. It can describe a ritualistic action before a significant event or during times of stress.

What are some alternatives to saying "they blessed themselves"?

You can use alternatives like "they made the sign of the cross", "they invoked a blessing upon themselves", or "they prayed for their own well-being" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "they blessed themselves" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they blessed themselves" is grammatically correct. The verb "blessed" is used correctly with the reflexive pronoun "themselves", indicating that the subject of the sentence is also the recipient of the action.