to apply oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to apply oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when encouraging someone to focus their efforts or dedicate themselves to a task or goal. Example: "If you want to succeed in this course, you need to apply yourself and study regularly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Grades indicate either natural talent or the ability to apply oneself to learning certain skills that may not come naturally, and playing the game of school -- all are desirable qualities in one way or another.

Huffington Post

Worker motivation canbe understood as the degree of willingness to apply oneself to work and it occurs as a result of an interaction between individual, organizational and cultural determinants [ 28].

BMC Health Services Research

Help someone who wants help and is willing to apply oneself.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For some, the art of applying oneself to the task at hand with a zealous and unquestioning belief in the worth of working hard has become more about working longer hours to earn more money and to impress others.

WikiHow

Indeed, he is skeptical that Westlund's account can maintain its neutrality and contends that "[t]o hold oneself answerable, in any concrete situation, is to…to be disposed to apply in that situation some normative expectation to oneself" (Benson 2011).

SEP

Using findings from social cognition, they argued that clothing styles might prime specific mental categories about one's self such that those categories that are most easily accessed in a given situation would be more likely to be applied to oneself than categories of information that are difficult to access.

Fashion and Textiles

He related that it made him much more conscious of how important taking care of oneself is, even if it's only to apply a layer of moisturizing sunscreen before facing the California day.

Huffington Post

It is about allowing oneself to be informed by the practices of others, and figuring out how to apply that knowledge to one's own context with different outcomes.

Vice

This code was based on omertà i.e., the obligation never, under any circumstances, to apply for justice to the legal authorities and never to assist in any way in the detection of crimes committed against oneself or others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To adapt the example of Plato's Socrates that scandalized his Gorgias (Gorgias 494A-495A) to apply to Madell, one may intensely and affectively desire to continue one's experience of scratching one's itch or rubbing oneself, which desire is simultaneously fulfilled, without oneself experiencing pleasure in so doing.

SEP

To give oneself over to the vision requires confidence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to apply oneself" when you want to encourage a focused and dedicated effort towards achieving a specific goal or mastering a particular skill.

Common error

Avoid using "to apply oneself" in contexts that simply require participation or engagement. This phrase specifically denotes a concentrated and determined effort beyond mere involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to apply oneself" functions as an infinitive phrase that describes the action of directing one's efforts or abilities towards a specific task or goal. Ludwig AI indicates that this expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to apply oneself" is a grammatically correct phrase that signifies a focused and dedicated effort toward achieving a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. While relatively rare, it finds usage across various contexts, including news, science, and general informational content. To encourage dedicated effort, consider using similar expressions such as "dedicate oneself" or "commit oneself".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicate oneself

Emphasizes commitment and devotion to a particular task or goal.

commit oneself

Focuses on making a firm decision to pursue a specific course of action.

devote oneself

Highlights dedicating time and energy wholeheartedly to something.

exert oneself

Stresses the effort and energy expended in pursuing a task.

strain oneself

Suggests pushing oneself to the limit, often implying a difficult or challenging task.

endeavor diligently

Formal and emphasizes persistent and careful effort.

strive assiduously

Highlights continuous and meticulous effort toward a goal.

apply one's mind

Emphasizes focusing one's thoughts and intellect on a specific subject or problem.

buckle down

Informal way to say start working hard and seriously.

get down to business

Suggests a shift from casual talk or activities to serious work.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to apply oneself" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "dedicate oneself" or "commit oneself", which convey a stronger sense of dedication and purpose.

What does it mean to "apply oneself"?

To "apply oneself" means to dedicate effort and attention to a task or goal. It implies focusing one's energy and abilities to achieve success or mastery in a particular area. It shows a willingness to buckle down and commit to succeed.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to apply oneself"?

Use "to apply oneself" when you want to emphasize the importance of concentrated effort and dedication in achieving a specific objective. It's suitable when encouraging someone to focus their energies on a task or skill.

What are some informal ways to say "to apply oneself"?

Informal alternatives include phrases like "buckle down" or "get down to business", which suggest starting to work seriously and with focus.