willing myself

USAGE SUMMARY

"willing myself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone making a conscious effort to do something. For example, "I was willing myself to stay awake until the end of the movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

And so I lie in the dark next to him, as patiently as I can, willing myself to breathe deeply so that he will do the same.

The New York Times - Magazine

I will not look at those cards, I said, willing myself not to worry about the little boy who asked for a soccer net and ball, the kid who wanted a skateboard and clothes, the teenager who dared to hope someone would buy him a wallet.

Los Angeles Times

Was I willing myself to see certain names, the way that I had once willed myself to believe this ball had been signed by the 1955 Dodgers?

The New York Times

I was willing myself to expand my planning window".

The New York Times

I'm sitting in a dark room surrounded by people, willing myself not to scream out loud.

Independent

I was willing myself to end the confusion, doubts and worthlessness I felt.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Because people will see that I was willing all by myself almost... to fight the power of the federal government and correct this imbalance.

Huffington Post

"I was willing to put myself in the way and put myself at risk because I think the biggest risk is drilling in the Arctic," Henriques told VICE News.

Vice

"Je me mets minable pour l'équipe," he said, which can roughly be translated as : "I sacrifice myself for the team" or even "I'm willing to grind myself into the dust for the team".

The Guardian - Sport

I don't know if I'll be as hungry and as willing to put myself through the discomfort that I put myself through at times when I work, in 15 years, in 10 years, in 5".

The New York Times

I'm not willing to resign myself to being an advocate for research that will benefit people only after I'm gone.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "willing myself" when you want to emphasize a deliberate effort to control your thoughts, feelings, or actions, often in the face of internal resistance. It highlights the active role of your will in the process.

Common error

Avoid using "willing myself" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less precise than alternatives like "striving to" or "endeavoring to", which may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "willing myself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating a conscious effort to exert one's will or intention. It describes the act of directing one's mental or emotional state, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "willing myself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression denoting a conscious effort to direct one's internal state or actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in various contexts, particularly within news and media. While alternatives like "forcing myself" or "pushing myself" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. When using "willing myself", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the intended emphasis on deliberate willpower. Overuse in formal academic writing should be avoided in favor of more precise language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forcing myself

Implies a stronger degree of internal resistance or difficulty than "willing myself".

making myself

Suggests a deliberate action or effort to initiate something, potentially overriding a lack of natural inclination.

pushing myself

Conveys a sense of overcoming obstacles or limitations through sustained effort.

compelling myself

Indicates a strong internal drive or obligation to act in a certain way.

exerting my will

Highlights the active application of one's willpower to achieve a desired outcome.

striving to

Focuses on the effort and determination involved in pursuing a goal or objective.

endeavoring to

Emphasizes a conscientious and determined effort, often in the face of challenges.

trying hard to

A more general expression of effort, without necessarily implying the same degree of internal resistance as "willing myself".

motivating myself

Focuses on providing oneself with the incentive or encouragement needed to take action.

animating myself

Implies infusing oneself with energy or enthusiasm in order to accomplish a task.

FAQs

How can I use "willing myself" in a sentence?

You can use "willing myself" to describe making a conscious effort to do something, as in, "I was "willing myself" to stay calm during the presentation".

What are some alternatives to "willing myself"?

Some alternatives include "forcing myself", "making myself", or "pushing myself", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is "willing myself" grammatically correct?

Yes, "willing myself" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English.

What's the difference between "willing myself" and "trying to"?

"Willing myself" implies a more directed exertion of willpower, often against internal resistance, whereas "trying to" is a more general expression of effort.