view themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "view themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing self-perception or how individuals perceive their own identity or status. Example: "Many people struggle to view themselves positively in a society that often emphasizes unrealistic standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How Chinese View Themselves.

Huffington Post

They view themselves as honourable.

The Economist

"They don't view themselves as primary targets.

The Economist

"They don't view themselves as whistle-blowers".

The New York Times

How are they to view themselves?

The Guardian - Opinion

They view themselves as being younger and, because they view themselves that way, they act accordingly".

The New York Times

Pakistanis now view themselves as exemplars of transition politics.

The New York Times

This, in turn, makes them view themselves more negatively.

The New York Times

We want them to view themselves as healthy".

The New York Times

The pimps view themselves as talent managers, not exploiters.

The New York Times

The directors view themselves as historians of a sort.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a group's shared identity, use "view themselves" to highlight how they collectively perceive their status or role within a larger context. For example: "The team members view themselves as innovators within the industry."

Common error

Avoid using "view themselves" when the context requires an objective assessment. Instead, use phrasing that reflects verifiable facts rather than subjective perceptions. For example, instead of "They view themselves as successful, but their profits are declining", consider "They consider themselves successful, despite declining profits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "view themselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating how individuals or groups perceive or regard their own identity, role, or characteristics. Ludwig confirms its wide usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "view themselves" is a versatile phrase used to express self-perception and assessment across various contexts. As validated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, media, scientific, and academic sources. The phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of the subtle differences between it and alternatives like "perceive themselves" or "see themselves" to ensure accurate and nuanced communication. Remember to avoid confusing subjective perception with objective reality. This phrase has a neutral register and great versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perceive themselves

Replaces "view" with "perceive", emphasizing the process of becoming aware of something through the senses.

see themselves

Substitutes "view" with "see", focusing on a more direct visual or cognitive understanding.

regard themselves

Replaces "view" with "regard", suggesting a more considered or evaluated self-perception.

consider themselves

Substitutes "view" with "consider", implying a thoughtful assessment of oneself.

think of themselves

Replaces "view" with "think of", focusing on the mental representation of oneself.

imagine themselves

Replaces "view" with "imagine", highlighting the creation of a mental image of oneself, often in a hypothetical scenario.

believe themselves to be

Emphasizes an internal conviction about their identity or characteristics.

understand their own identity

Focuses on the comprehension and awareness of one's own identity.

conceive of themselves

Uses "conceive of" instead of "view", suggesting a more abstract or intellectual understanding of self.

form an opinion of themselves

Focuses on the act of creating a self-assessment based on internal and external factors.

FAQs

How can I use "view themselves" in a sentence?

Use "view themselves" to describe how a person or group perceives their own identity, role, or status. For example, "Many artists "view themselves" as social commentators".

What are some alternatives to "view themselves"?

Alternatives include "perceive themselves", "see themselves", or "regard themselves", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "views themselves" instead of "view themselves"?

No, "views themselves" is grammatically incorrect when referring to multiple people or a group. The correct form is "view themselves", as the verb "view" should agree with the plural pronoun "themselves".

What's the difference between "view themselves as" and "consider themselves as"?

While both phrases are similar, "view themselves as" often implies a more visual or immediate perception, whereas "consider themselves as" suggests a more thoughtful or deliberate assessment.