undertake themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertake themselves" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used and may confuse readers due to its awkward construction. Example: "They decided to undertake themselves the responsibility of organizing the event." (This sentence is unclear and should be rephrased.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In other words, what the United States government's intelligence-gathering and law-enforcement apparatus had failed to accomplish before September 11th (or since), the law-abiding Arab citizens of Detroit, in a vigilante spirit that would validate their patriotism, should undertake themselves.

The New Yorker

"These should address concerns about potential human rights violations in other countries that information can be shared with," it notes, adding specifically that "the Bill should make it illegal for UK bodies to ask overseas agencies to undertake intrusion which they have not been authorised to undertake themselves".

TechCrunch

From one angle: yes, the company is setting people up with pricey graves a hassle they'd otherwise have to undertake themselves.

Vice

Phil offers one reason for this as he considers education more achievable than attempting to address broader issues: Well, they want to educate people to be more conscious of the things that they can undertake themselves; give them better choice of food and recreation to look after your own health really; that's a good start.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

MD can also affect finances in other ways, with extra costs being incurred for work such as dressmaking, housework and house maintenance, which people with MD may have undertaken themselves when they had good eyesight.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Pakistani leaders, who have sent 12,000 troops to the border areas, have indicated that if any military action is needed, they will undertake it themselves.

The New York Times

We must say this so that the delegates to the congress can clearly undertake and themselves assess this and draw the proper conclusions.

The Guardian

All young healthcare professionals, irrespective of whether they eventually undertake research themselves, need to know how to understand what really constitutes "evidence" if they are to practice their profession, to the highest standards, in an ever-changing world.

The Guardian

Lord Stern believes that grounding the process in the laws and promises that countries undertake by themselves is a better model for a deal than a top-down process like Kyoto.

BBC

Some carers saw scope for the involvement of other family members or friends in the programme, whilst others considered it a task they would undertake by themselves.

BMC Geriatrics

In many instances, to accomplish objectives, NHAs must undertake initiatives themselves (i.e., work demands may be an important influence on NHAs' job satisfaction).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "undertake themselves" with clearer alternatives like "take upon themselves" or "assume responsibility themselves" for improved readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "undertake themselves" as it is an uncommon and potentially confusing construction. Opt for more direct and widely accepted phrasing to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

Undertake typically functions as a verb, indicating the commencement of a task or responsibility. However, when combined with "themselves," it creates an awkward reflexive construction, as noted by Ludwig, because in such context "undertake" is usually transitive and need a direct object. It is more suitable to use alternative phrasings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "undertake themselves" appears in a few sources, it's considered grammatically incorrect and awkward in modern English. Ludwig AI points out its unclear meaning and advises against its use. More suitable alternatives include "take upon themselves" or "assume responsibility themselves". These alternatives provide clarity and are more widely accepted across various registers, though the examples from Ludwig come predominantly from news and scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take upon themselves

Emphasizes assuming responsibility or a task, shifting focus from action to obligation.

assume responsibility themselves

Directly conveys the idea of accepting accountability without external delegation.

execute it themselves

Highlights the direct act of performing or implementing something without delegation.

handle it personally

Focuses on direct involvement and individual action in managing a situation.

conduct it personally

Focuses on the act of carrying out a process or investigation directly.

do it on their own

Highlights independence and self-reliance in completing a task.

address it directly

Emphasizes dealing with an issue or problem without intermediaries.

personally see to it

Stresses personal attention and oversight in ensuring something is done.

tackle it themselves

Highlights the act of confronting and dealing with a challenge independently.

manage it firsthand

Implies direct control and engagement in the management process.

FAQs

What does "undertake" mean?

"Undertake" means to commit to and begin a task or enterprise. It often implies a formal agreement or promise. It is more appropriate to say "take upon themselves" instead of "undertake themselves".

Is "undertake themselves" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "undertake themselves" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "take upon themselves" or "assume responsibility themselves".

How can I rephrase a sentence using "undertake themselves" to make it sound more natural?

Instead of saying something like "They decided to undertake themselves the project", you could say "They decided to "take upon themselves" the project" or "They decided to "handle it personally"".

What is the difference between "undertake" and "take upon themselves"?

"Undertake" means to start or pursue a task, while "take upon themselves" implies assuming responsibility for something. Although "undertake" may be used in some sentences, it is grammatically safer to use "take upon themselves" in place of "undertake themselves".