to pace oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to pace oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to manage their energy or resources carefully over a period of time to avoid exhaustion. Example: "During the marathon, it's important to pace oneself to ensure you have enough stamina for the entire race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Better to pace oneself and to have a graduated series of responses to ratchet up the pressure on Mr Putin.Fourth, leaders said they faced different legal constraints on how far they could go in targeting individuals, who had to be identified as having a direct role in the annexation of Crimea.

The Economist

According to job demand and control models, the ability of an employee to pace oneself and make task decisions can lessen negative impacts.

Computers in Human Behavior

I suggested and she agreed, perhaps it is a way to pace oneself and reduce alcohol consumption throughout a day and/or evening.

Huffington Post

If I ever start another business (or if a would-be entrepreneur asked my advice), I would suggest that passion is only one ingredient -- a necessary one, to be sure, but it's equally important to pace oneself for the long haul.

Huffington Post

It is important, too, to pace oneself.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

With CFS taking variable forms, there is no proven drug treatment to treat this condition, but lifestyle changes, mainly pacing oneself down, seem to be the key to successful recovery.

Science Magazine

I was intrigued by how one moved one's body to protect oneself, how one used a strategy both to attack and retreat, how one paced oneself over a match," he wrote in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.

BBC

Aside from the immersive experience, Quail also emphasizes that the 11-hour length is about pacing oneself through the night rather than trying to cram everything into a few hours, which he says often leads to people already over their limit before leaving the house.

Vice

Pacing oneself, thus, is virtually impossible.

The New York Times

"But what is a writer?" He tossed back another full glass of rakı, letting the question hang in the air, no longer concerned with the social convention of slowly sipping and pacing oneself with yogurt and black olives and fresh white cheeses and fish bathed in oil.

Huffington Post

Remember to pace yourself.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to pace oneself", consider the specific resource being managed, such as time, energy, or effort, to provide a clearer context for your advice.

Common error

Avoid using "to pace oneself" in situations where a more specific verb like "manage", "regulate", or "conserve" would provide greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to pace oneself" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to provide advice or recommendations about managing one's efforts or resources effectively over time. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to pace oneself" is a grammatically correct and usable infinitive phrase that advises managing one's energy, effort, or resources sustainably over time. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, as per Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a range of contexts from news to scientific writing. To be precise, when using "to pace oneself", it is beneficial to be specific about the resource being managed. Alternatives include "to manage one's energy", "to regulate one's effort", and "to conserve one's strength".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to manage one's energy

Focuses on the management of energy resources, broader than just pacing.

to regulate one's effort

Emphasizes the regulation of exertion, highlighting conscious control.

to conserve one's strength

Highlights the act of preserving physical or mental strength.

to modulate one's activity

Focuses on adjusting activity levels to avoid overexertion.

to ration one's resources

Emphasizes careful distribution and use of available resources.

to budget one's time

Specifically refers to managing time effectively.

to distribute workload

Focuses on the allocation of tasks to prevent overload.

to stagger one's tasks

Highlights the spacing out of tasks over time.

to moderate one's speed

Refers to adjusting speed to sustain performance.

to throttle back

An idiomatic expression indicating a reduction in effort or intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "to pace oneself" to advise someone to manage their energy or resources carefully over time. For example, "During a long project, it's important "to pace oneself" to avoid burnout".

What does "to pace oneself" mean?

"To pace oneself" means "to manage one's energy", efforts, or resources carefully over a period, ensuring sustainability and avoiding exhaustion or depletion.

What can I say instead of "to pace oneself"?

Alternatives to "to pace oneself" include "to manage one's energy", "to regulate one's effort", or "to conserve one's strength" depending on the context.

Is "to pace oneself" formal or informal?

"To pace oneself" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more specific terms might be preferred in formal writing to enhance precision.