to submit themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to submit themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals are required to present themselves for consideration, evaluation, or compliance with rules or regulations. Example: "All participants are required to submit themselves for a background check before the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Yet British newspapers are quite happy to submit themselves to Irish regulation.

The Guardian

"Nobody likes to submit themselves to background checks, but protecting the security of our players is paramount".

The New York Times - Sports

All MPs have to submit themselves to the ordeal of reselection by their constituency parties over the autumn.

The Guardian

The only solution, of course, was to submit themselves to an en-masse second baptism, this time by fire.

The New Yorker

"If they want to submit themselves to French justice, we are waiting for them," a police official said.

The New York Times

Managers agree with owners to submit themselves to auditors, to answer to boards and to take part of their pay in the form of bonuses.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Be accountable for their decisions to the public and submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate.

BBC

There's something very compelling about listening to someone as they submit themselves to the experience of a game, which perhaps explains the phenomenal popularity of the Let's Play video genre.

TechCrunch

Another set of university reforms collapsed when a majority of professors refused to make any commitment to higher teaching standards and submit themselves to peer review.

The Economist

But just joining will mean nothing: members must make annual promises to improve openness further and submit themselves to outside scrutiny.Many international anti-corruption and transparency bodies are already at work.

The Economist

Yet even Mr. Wallis, an avid surfer who also body-surfs the Wedge, struggles to describe why riders would submit themselves to its potential bone-breaking power for that brief moment of perfection in the barrel.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to submit themselves", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subjects are submitting to, and the reason for doing so. For example, "The candidates had to submit themselves to a rigorous interview process."

Common error

Avoid using "to submit themselves" in a way that obscures who or what is requiring the submission. Clear attribution strengthens the sentence. For example, instead of "They were asked to submit themselves", specify "The committee asked them to submit themselves to the investigation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to submit themselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. It describes an action where the subject is both performing and receiving the action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to submit themselves" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the act of individuals subjecting themselves to a process, authority, or scrutiny. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to formal business settings. Although primarily neutral in register, its specific meaning varies depending on the context, sometimes implying willingness and other times indicating obligation. When using this phrase, clarity is key, especially in specifying what they are submitting to and why. Understanding the potential for passive voice ambiguity is also important to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to subject themselves

Emphasizes being made to undergo something, often implying a lack of choice.

to subject themselves to

Adds specificity regarding what they are being subjected to.

to expose themselves

Implies a vulnerability or risk in what they are facing.

to present themselves

Focuses on the act of appearing or offering oneself for consideration.

to offer themselves

Highlights a voluntary aspect of making themselves available.

to commit themselves

Emphasizes dedication and a binding decision to follow through.

to surrender themselves

Implies a loss of control and yielding to an opposing force or authority.

to yield themselves

Suggests a more passive form of compliance or submission.

to defer to

Implies a respect for another's judgment or authority.

to comply with

Focuses on adhering to rules, regulations, or demands.

FAQs

How can I use "to submit themselves" in a sentence?

This phrase indicates that individuals are presenting or subjecting themselves to a particular process, authority, or set of rules. For example: "All applicants must "submit themselves" for a background check."

What are some alternatives to saying "to submit themselves"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include phrases like "to present themselves", "to subject themselves", or "to offer themselves".

Is it always necessary to include "to" before "submit themselves"?

Yes, the infinitive form "to submit" is typically required for grammatical correctness when used with a helping verb, such as "have to". Thus, "to submit themselves" is the standard construction.

What is the difference between "to submit themselves" and "to subject themselves"?

"To submit themselves" often implies a degree of willingness or compliance, while "to subject themselves" suggests being made to undergo something, potentially against their will.