to devote oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to devote oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a commitment or dedication to a particular cause, activity, or person. Example: "She decided to devote herself to volunteering at the local shelter every weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The incentive to devote oneself to the long-term glory of the employer was suddenly gone.

The New York Times - Magazine

To read a book is to devote oneself to the book.

The Guardian - Books

To devote oneself to the pursuit of the latter – at all costs – is to limit one's access to the former.

The Guardian - Music

With the day-to-day worries of housing, transport, daily expenses, and medical bills, it becomes difficult to devote oneself fully to teaching.

The Guardian

To devote oneself to the form was to risk being called a conservative, a nostalgist, a manufacturer of bourgeois museum pieces; twentieth-century symphonies tended to be tonal in orientation and spacious in design, the musical equivalent of landscape painting.

The New Yorker

Mr. Mann and others suggest that beyond the usual explanations given for the Senate losing streak, there may be a less tangible reason: the reluctance to abandon the comfort and dignity of the Senate to devote oneself completely to the sometimes humiliating retail politics necessary in a presidential bid.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

No human life can consist solely in these pure pleasures; and in certain circumstances one may owe it to one's community to forego a philosophical life and devote oneself to the good of the city.

SEP

Why devote oneself to begonias? A. My specialty is herbaceous plants.

The New York Times - Science

It's not the simple picture of stopping work at 60 or 65, moving to Florida and devoting oneself to golf and bridge — not that it was ever totally that.

The New York Times

The whales show up, and while a bordered box accompanying each one summarizes the bridge gibberish in layman's terms, it is difficult to enjoy "The Cardturner" without devoting oneself to an at least cursory understanding of sentences like "Dummy's got king, queen, ten of spades, and I'm sitting behind it with ace, four, doubleton".

The New York Times - Books

According to Webster to be addicted is: to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively addicted to something.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to devote oneself" when you want to express a strong commitment to a cause, person, or activity that requires significant time and effort.

Common error

While "to devote oneself" is perfectly acceptable, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "to focus on" or "to dedicate time to" in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to devote oneself" functions as an infinitive phrase, often serving as a complement or expressing purpose within a sentence. It signifies a deliberate act of committing one's time, energy, or resources to a specific cause, person, or activity, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to devote oneself" is an infinitive phrase used to express a strong and significant commitment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While it's generally acceptable, it's best suited for contexts where the dedication is substantial and heartfelt. Consider alternatives like "to dedicate oneself" or "to commit oneself" for slight variations in meaning. Be mindful of the register and avoid overuse in casual settings to maintain the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to dedicate oneself

Emphasizes a formal and often public commitment.

to dedicate your life to

Indicates a long-term, significant commitment, often to a cause.

to commit oneself

Suggests a firm and unwavering decision to pursue something.

to dedicate oneself wholeheartedly

Adds emphasis to the level of commitment and enthusiasm.

to give oneself over to

Implies a surrender or complete immersion in something.

to consecrate oneself to

Suggests a sacred or spiritual dedication.

to apply oneself to

Focuses on the effort and diligence one puts into a task.

to throw oneself into

Highlights the enthusiasm and energy invested in something.

to immerse oneself in

Focuses on becoming completely absorbed in an activity or subject.

to surrender oneself to

Implies giving up control and yielding to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "to devote oneself" in a sentence?

You can use "to devote oneself" to express a strong commitment or dedication. For example, "She decided "to devote oneself" to environmental activism."

What are some alternatives to "to devote oneself"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to dedicate oneself", "to commit oneself", or "to dedicate your life to".

Is there a difference between "to dedicate oneself" and "to devote oneself"?

While similar, "to dedicate oneself" often implies a more formal or public commitment, whereas "to devote oneself" suggests a deeper personal dedication. They are mostly interchangeable, but the nuances can subtly shift the meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "to devote oneself"?

It's appropriate when describing a significant, heartfelt commitment that involves substantial time, energy, or resources. It adds a sense of seriousness and dedication to the subject.