view themselves as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "view themselves as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing self-perception or identity, often in contexts related to how individuals or groups see themselves in relation to others or their environment. Example: "Many people view themselves as part of a larger community, contributing to its growth and development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They view themselves as honourable.

The Economist

"They don't view themselves as primary targets.

The Economist

- Demonstrate confidence and view themselves as readers.

Yale University

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

The New York Times

Pakistanis now view themselves as exemplars of transition politics.

The New York Times

People in their 20s no longer view themselves as adults.

The Washington Post

Guard members view themselves as keepers of Iran's revolutionary flame.

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

Deaf individuals tend to view themselves as members of a linguistic minority within society and often do not view themselves as disabled.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "view themselves as" to describe how individuals or groups perceive their roles, identities, or characteristics. Ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the viewing and what they are viewing themselves as.

Common error

Avoid shifting pronouns within a sentence or paragraph when using "view themselves as". Maintain consistent pronoun references to ensure clarity and avoid confusion about who is being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "view themselves as" functions as a verb phrase that expresses self-perception or the way individuals or groups understand their identity, role, or characteristics. It's frequently used to describe subjective perspectives. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and examples illustrate its function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

24%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "view themselves as" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression for describing self-perception. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile and appears across various contexts, including News & Media and Academia. Related phrases like ""regard themselves as"" and ""consider themselves to be"" offer subtle variations in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure consistent pronoun usage and choose the most appropriate alternative based on the intended nuance. "View themselves as" serves as a powerful tool for articulating how individuals and groups understand their identities and roles within a broader context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

see themselves as

Uses "see" instead of "view", offering a more direct and immediate sense of self-perception.

perceive themselves to be

Uses "perceive" instead of "view" and adds "to be" for a slightly more formal tone.

regard themselves as

Replaces "view" with "regard", conveying a similar meaning with a slightly more reflective connotation.

consider themselves to be

Employs "consider" instead of "view" and includes "to be", suggesting a more deliberate assessment.

believe themselves to be

Substitutes "view" with "believe", emphasizing a conviction about their identity or role.

think of themselves as

Replaces "view" with "think of", highlighting the process of self-conceptualization.

identify as

A shorter, more direct way of expressing self-identification, often used in contemporary contexts.

understand themselves as

Emphasizes a deeper, more nuanced comprehension of one's own identity or role.

portray themselves as

Focuses on the external presentation of self, rather than internal perception.

present themselves as

Similar to "portray themselves as", but emphasizes the act of making an impression.

FAQs

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

Use "view themselves as" to describe how individuals or groups perceive their own identity, role, or characteristics. For example, "The members of the community "view themselves as" caretakers of the environment".

What are some alternatives to "view themselves as"?

Alternatives include "regard themselves as", "consider themselves to be", or "perceive themselves to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "view themselves like" instead of "view themselves as"?

While "like" can sometimes be used to indicate similarity, "as" is the grammatically correct choice when describing a self-perceived identity or role. "View themselves as" indicates how they identify, whereas "view themselves like" would suggest a comparison to something else.

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

While both phrases are very similar, "see themselves as" often implies a more immediate or intuitive understanding, whereas ""view themselves as"" can suggest a more considered or reflective perspective.