What Does โModel yourself on sbโ Mean?
โModel yourself on sbโ means to imitate or copy someoneโs behavior, style, or qualities because you admire them.
Introduction
The phrase โModel yourself on sbโ is commonly used when you want to express that you are trying to be like someone you respect or admire. It is a way of saying that you follow the example set by another person. The phrase is often used in everyday conversations and writing when discussing role models or people who inspire us. Understanding the model yourself on sb meaning helps you use this expression correctly in various contexts, whether personal, professional, or educational.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Model yourself on somebody
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Meaning: To imitate or copy someoneโs behavior or qualities
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โModel yourself on sbโ is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot split it by placing words between the parts. The structure usually follows this pattern:
- Model yourself on + somebody (object)
- Example: She models herself on her older sister.
You always use a reflexive pronoun (yourself) and โonโ followed by the person you want to imitate.
How to Use โModel yourself on sbโ?
Use this phrase when you want to describe how someone is copying or following another personโs example. It is often used in positive contexts, showing admiration. You can use it in formal and informal situations, such as talking about role models, mentors, or people you respect.
Examples
Here are some examples to help you understand how to use โModel yourself on sb in a sentenceโ:
- John models himself on his father, who is a hardworking and honest man.
- Many young athletes model themselves on famous sports stars.
- She decided to model herself on her teacher because of her excellent skills.
- If you want to improve your leadership skills, try to model yourself on great leaders.
- He models himself on his mentor, hoping to achieve similar success.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse this phrase with similar expressions or make errors in the structure. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: I model myself after my brother.
Correct: I model myself on my brother. - Incorrect: She models on herself her motherโs habits.
Correct: She models herself on her motherโs habits.
Remember, the correct preposition is โon,โ not โafter,โ and the reflexive pronoun โyourselfโ is necessary.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include โtake after,โ โfollow,โ and โimitate.โ However, โmodel yourself on sbโ specifically means to copy positive qualities or behavior intentionally.
- Take after: Usually means resembling a family member in appearance or character, not necessarily intentional imitation.
- Follow: Can mean to go behind someone or obey instructions; less about copying personality.
- Imitate: Means to copy, but โmodel yourself on sbโ implies admiration and role modeling.
Common Collocations
Here are some common words used with โmodel yourself on sbโ and their meanings:
- Leader: Model yourself on a leader to develop leadership skills.
- Mentor: Model yourself on a mentor for guidance in your career.
- Role model: Model yourself on a role model to improve your behavior.
- Parent: Children often model themselves on their parents.
- Teacher: Students may model themselves on teachers to learn good habits.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of model yourself on sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using the phrase:
Anna: I want to be successful in my job, but Iโm not sure how.
Mike: Why donโt you model yourself on Sarah? Sheโs really good at managing projects.
Anna: Thatโs a great idea. Iโll observe how she works and learn from her.
Practice
Try to complete the sentence below:
โIf you want to improve your communication skills, you should ________ your manager.โ
- a) model yourself on
- b) model yourself at
- c) model yourself with
- d) model yourself for
Answer: a) model yourself on
FAQs
- Q: Can I use โmodel yourself onโ for bad examples?
A: Usually, it is used for positive role models, but it can be used sarcastically for bad examples.
- Q: Is โmodel yourself afterโ correct?
A: The standard phrase is โmodel yourself on,โ not โafter.โ
- Q: Can I use โmodel yourself onโ in formal writing?
A: Yes, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
- Q: Do I always need to use โyourselfโ?
A: Yes, the phrase includes the reflexive pronoun โyourself.โ
- Q: What is the difference between โmodel yourself onโ and โimitateโ?
A: โModel yourself onโ implies admiration and role modeling, while โimitateโ is more general copying.
