to label oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to label oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing self-identification or how individuals categorize themselves in terms of identity, beliefs, or characteristics. Example: "In today's society, many people choose to label themselves based on their personal experiences and values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It shouldn't be necessary to label oneself.

The Guardian - Opinion

To touch strangers' feet is to show deference they have not earned, Dr. Niraula said, and to label oneself as low-class, or at least lower than the person whose feet are being handled.

The New York Times

It is no longer available to label oneself "anti-war," to join a mass march, to hold a sign and feel content in one's efforts against the empire.

Vice

As well as how "The Devil Wears Prada" affected her career, why it's bad to label oneself in Hollywood, and why "The Five Year Engagement" didn't click with audiences.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Resigning oneself to meekly accept the teenage hierarchy, labeling oneself to certain levels in the caste system, and allowing one's actions to be dictated by the mold of social conformity are all ways that students subconsciously make the decision to allow the clique system to infect the high school experience.

Huffington Post

There is a particular dread, I've learned, in labelling oneself as "sick": with its looming and corrosive reality, the word threatens to engulf everything else.

The Guardian - Books

Different modules within CREST are designed to help individuals learn about a) the function of emotions, b) how to label and identify emotions in oneself and others, c) the positive intentions of emotions and the needs emotions communicate to the self and others, and d) tolerating and expressing emotions.

BMC Psychiatry

To have it (verb): to thoroughly enjoy oneself.

The Guardian

(Because far from not being able to appropriate the label for oneself, most "tea party" candidates do it every five minutes.) What have the Republicans done wrong?

Huffington Post

Global Labeling: attaching an unhealthy label to oneself or others because of one event or action.

WikiHow

For example, either not being adequately nourished or not having the first-order ability to be nourished (e.g. feed oneself) is not enough to be labelled as being unhealthy.

Bioethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "to label oneself" when you want to emphasize the act of assigning a specific category or description to one's own identity, characteristics, or beliefs. It's useful in discussions about self-perception and social categorization.

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on labels, as it can oversimplify complex identities and limit nuanced understanding. Consider the context and whether a more descriptive approach might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to label oneself" functions as an infinitive phrase that typically acts as a verb complement or adverbial modifier. It describes the action of assigning a descriptor to one's own identity, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to label oneself" describes the act of assigning a descriptor to one's own identity, characteristics, or beliefs. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable, though relatively rare. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts and carries a neutral register. While it's useful in discussions about self-perception and categorization, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding the oversimplification of complex identities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to identify as

Focuses on expressing a specific identity or belonging to a group.

to define oneself as

Highlights the act of consciously establishing one's identity.

to characterize oneself as

Emphasizes the qualities or attributes used for self-description.

to brand oneself as

Suggests a deliberate effort to create a specific image.

to see oneself as

Reflects a personal perception or viewpoint about one's identity.

to consider oneself to be

Implies a more reflective and considered self-assessment.

to present oneself as

Highlights the way one outwardly displays or communicates their identity.

to classify oneself as

Involves placing oneself into a pre-existing category or system.

to type oneself as

Implies assigning oneself to a personality type.

to recognize oneself as

Focuses on internal acknowledgment of one's own identity.

FAQs

What does "to label oneself" mean?

The phrase "to label oneself" means to assign a specific category, description, or identifier to one's own identity, characteristics, or beliefs. It involves consciously defining or categorizing oneself.

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

It's appropriate to use "to label oneself" when discussing the act of self-identification, categorization, or when analyzing the impact of such labels on personal identity and social perception. Be mindful of the context, ensuring that using a label does not oversimplify complex identities.

What are some alternatives to "to label oneself"?

Alternatives include "to identify as", "to define oneself as", or "to describe oneself". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "to label oneself" differ from "to be labelled by others"?

"To label oneself" implies a self-directed action, where an individual chooses their own descriptor. In contrast, "to be labelled by others" indicates an external assignment, where society or other individuals impose a label, which may or may not align with self-perception.