to recognize oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

"to recognize oneself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts in order to express the idea of gaining insight into oneself, such as understanding one's own strengths and weaknesses or motivations. For example, you could write, "After a lot of soul searching, I was finally able to recognize myself and what I truly wanted out of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

To recognize oneself as bored, one must know how to differentiate between moments — if only to see that they are essentially the same.

The New Yorker

To recognize oneself as a victim — or perpetrator — requires serious emotional, psychological and social support, an infrastructure unavailable to many teenagers.

The New York Times

One needs to achieve self-awareness and to recognize oneself as forming part of a larger unity.

SEP

This requires, according to Hale, maintaining human bonds with non-trans feminist women and travelling to their "worlds" while continuing to recognize oneself as a border dweller.

SEP

To feel dependent upon something is in some sense to recognize oneself as distinct from that upon which one is dependent.

SEP

Stanlick defines reconciling with harm as: "to recognize oneself as harmed, and in the most serious cases, to recognize harm as part of who one is; but it is also to aspire to a vision of oneself as a person who is much more than simply harmed".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

(These are examples of other-directed ascriptions of responsibility. The reaction might also be self-directed, e.g., one can recognize oneself to be blameworthy).

SEP

It can be seen as a story of belonging but simultaneously not belonging, not to be recognized for who one is, while not recognizing oneself and vice versa.

European Journal of Futures Research

The 10 warning signs listed online by the Alzheimer's Association include not recognizing oneself in the mirror and giving large amounts of money to telemarketers.

The New York Times

Paul Ricoeur has distinguished as much as 23 different usages of the notion "to recognize" (Ricoeur 2005, 5 16) grouping them under three main categories, namely recognition as identification, recognizing oneself and mutual recognition.

SEP

This likewise holds throughout life for all ensuing experiences of "recognizing" oneself as being a particular kind of "I," namely, taking qua imagining oneself to be a certain sort of ego-level self (apropos Freudian-Lacanian psychoanalysis, it always pays to remember William Wordsworth's line, "The child is the father of the man").

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to recognize oneself" when you want to convey a deeper understanding of one's own identity, motivations, or place in the world. It is particularly useful in philosophical, psychological, or reflective contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to recognize oneself" in contexts where it might imply excessive self-admiration or arrogance. The phrase should convey genuine self-awareness, not boastfulness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to recognize oneself" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase, often used to express purpose or intention. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in contexts related to self-awareness and understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to recognize oneself" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves primarily as an infinitive phrase to express purpose, specifically to convey the act of gaining insight into one's own identity and motivations. While its register leans towards neutral, it is appropriate in formal contexts such as academic or self-help settings. Though common in usage, "to recognize oneself" should be used mindfully to avoid implying excessive self-admiration. Semantically related alternatives include phrases like "to understand oneself" and "to know oneself", providing nuanced options for expressing self-awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to understand oneself

Focuses on comprehension of one's own character and motivations.

to know oneself

Emphasizes a deeper familiarity and understanding of one's own being.

to be true to oneself

Focuses on remaining authentic and honest with oneself.

to realize oneself

Highlights the process of becoming aware of one's potential or true nature.

to acknowledge oneself

Implies accepting and admitting one's own traits or characteristics.

to identify with oneself

Focuses on finding common ground and shared qualities within one's own experiences.

to accept oneself

Highlights embracing one's own flaws and imperfections.

to distinguish oneself

Emphasizes setting oneself apart from others.

to express oneself

Centers on conveying one's thoughts and feelings.

to measure oneself

Involves evaluating one's own abilities or qualities.

FAQs

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

You can use "to recognize oneself" to express the act of understanding or acknowledging one's own identity, feelings, or place in the world. For example: "Through therapy, she began "to recognize oneself" as a capable and worthy individual.".

What are some alternatives to "to recognize oneself"?

Alternatives include "to understand oneself", "to know oneself", "to realize oneself", or "to acknowledge oneself", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "to recognize oneself"?

Yes, "to recognize oneself" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows standard grammatical structure for expressing purpose or intention.

In what contexts is "to recognize oneself" most appropriate?

"To recognize oneself" is often used in contexts related to psychology, philosophy, self-help, and personal development. It's used when describing a process of self-discovery and understanding.