to feed oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

"to feed oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a sentence like, "Mary taught the child to feed himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I know this is not true for everyone, but I feel that cooking is a way of strengthening oneself: not being able to feed oneself to me feels like a state of victimhood; being able to sustain oneself is the skill of the survivor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In talking to young designers he is trying to lure to Pegasus, the budding American fashion conglomerate, he has realized that it is easier to become a rock star today than it is to become a dressmaker with money enough to feed oneself and pay the rent.

The New York Times - Style

Learning the language to communicate and ultimately find a job to feed oneself and survive in that environment requires discipline, persistence, humor, humility, and charm.

Huffington Post

For some, grocery shopping is a joy; there is something wonderfully therapeutic about wandering the aisles, dreaming about the many ways to feed oneself.

Huffington Post

It is the right to feed oneself in dignity.

FAO

Lastly, the patient is fed pureed food (inability to feed oneself).

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Only about a third of the books depicted anger or irritability, and very few showed functional limitations — the inability to drive, feed oneself, walk.

The New York Times

For example, in the self care dimensions an increase of 2 points may indicate a change from being unable to dress and feed oneself to managing with some form of help.

British Medical Journal

Forgetting to bathe and feed oneself out of absorption in one's work falls within the realm of mere eccentricity.

Forbes

b'Self-care ADL' refers to bathing, dressing and undressing, feeding oneself, using the toilet, taking medications, and not being bedridden.

Critical Care

Not one spoke a word to another; the simple mechanistic process of feeding oneself was exhausting enough.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing basic human rights, use "to feed oneself" to emphasize dignity and self-reliance, as opposed to merely being fed. The FAO uses this phrase to convey the right to food with dignity.

Common error

Avoid using "to feed oneself" when you specifically mean preparing meals. While related, "feeding oneself" focuses on the act of eating, not necessarily the culinary skills or effort involved in meal preparation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to feed oneself" functions as an infinitive phrase, often serving as a noun phrase expressing the capacity or right to provide food for oneself. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to feed oneself" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase with a focus on self-sufficiency and dignity in relation to food. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It appears most commonly in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While not exceptionally frequent, its use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian indicates its validity and appropriateness. When using this phrase, consider whether your focus is truly on the act of self-feeding, as opposed to related concepts like meal preparation or nourishment. Remember that the phrase often carries implications of basic human rights and independence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to nourish oneself

Replaces "feed" with "nourish", emphasizing the provision of essential nutrients.

to sustain oneself with food

Adds "with food" for clarity, highlighting that sustenance comes from eating.

to provide sustenance for oneself

Uses more formal language, shifting the focus to providing sustenance.

to keep oneself fed

Focuses on the ongoing act of feeding to maintain a state of being fed.

to ensure one's own nutrition

Shifts the focus to the nutritional aspect of feeding oneself.

to take care of one's dietary needs

Emphasizes addressing dietary requirements for self-care.

to maintain one's food intake

Focuses on maintaining a certain level of food consumption.

to eat to live

Expresses the basic necessity of eating for survival.

to fuel one's body

Uses a metaphorical term, "fuel", to describe the purpose of eating.

to look after one's meals

Focuses on planning and managing one's meals for self-sufficiency.

FAQs

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

You can use "to feed oneself" to describe the ability or right to provide food for oneself, as in "Learning a language helps one "to feed oneself" in a new environment" or "The program aims to teach individuals "to feed oneself" independently".

What is the difference between "to feed oneself" and "to nourish oneself"?

"To feed oneself" refers specifically to the act of eating. "To nourish oneself" implies providing sustenance that promotes health and well-being, suggesting a more comprehensive approach to diet and nutrition.

In what contexts is "to feed oneself" most appropriately used?

"To feed oneself" is suitable in discussions about basic human rights, self-sufficiency, activities of daily living, or situations where independence in eating is a key factor. It emphasizes the ability to provide oneself with food, particularly in contexts of dignity and survival.

What are some alternative phrases similar to "to feed oneself"?

Alternatives include "to sustain oneself with food", which emphasizes maintaining life through eating, and "to provide sustenance for oneself", which highlights the act of securing food for oneself.