What is myself? Pronunciation and usage in English

myself means . Learn how to pronounce and use myself through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of myself

myselfpronoun

/mʌɪˈsɛlf//mɪˈsɛlf/
Definition & pronunciation of myself

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "myself" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound: /məˈself/

  • "my": This part is pretty straightforward. Pronounce it like "my" in "mine." It's a short, quick "mih" sound.
  • "self": This is the challenging part. It's not pronounced "self" like in "selfish."

2. Breaking Down "self"

  • /ˈself/: This is the key. Think of it as a slightly elongated "self" sound, almost like a very brief, whispered "self."
  • The 's' sound: The 's' in "self" is a blend. It’s not a clear "s" sound. It’s part of a diphthong (a sound made by combining two vowel sounds).
  • The 'i' sound: You're essentially saying a very short "ee" sound followed by a very short "l" sound. It's like saying "self" very quickly, with the 'e' sound almost disappearing into the 'l'.

3. Putting it Together (The Full Word)

  • "myself": Say "my" quickly, then immediately follow it with that very short, whispered "self" sound. It should flow together.

Here's how it sounds (using phonetic transcriptions):

  • mih-ˈself (This is a simplified way to help you.)

Resources to help you hear it:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/myself/ – This website has native speakers pronouncing the word.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce myself" – You'll find numerous videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Tips for Practice:

  • Slow Down: Initially, say "my" and "self" separately, and then very slowly combine them.
  • Focus on the 'self' sound: Really pay attention to that blend of 's' and 'i' sound.
  • Listen to Native Speakers: The best way to learn is to hear native speakers pronounce it.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you a few example sentences using "myself"?
  • Focus on a specific part of the pronunciation (e.g., just the 'self' part)?

Usage and examples with the word myself in English

Let's break down how to use "myself" correctly in English. It's a tricky little word because it's a reflexive pronoun, meaning it refers back to the subject of the sentence. Here's a detailed explanation with examples:

1. As a Reflexive Pronoun (Most Common Use)

  • Meaning: "Myself" is used when the subject of a sentence also performs the action of the verb. It’s about something being done to oneself.

  • Formula: Subject + Verb + (myself)

  • Examples:

    • I made my own cake. (I did the making - I'm the subject and doer.)
    • She hurt herself playing soccer. (She caused the injury - she’s both the subject and the one hurt.)
    • We helped ourselves to some cookies. (We did the eating - we are the subjects.)
    • He introduced himself to the new students. (He did the introducing - he's the subject.)
    • They washed themselves after the swim. (They did the washing - they're the subjects.)

2. As a Pronoun to Indicate Presence (Less Common, but Important)

  • Meaning: "Myself" is used to include yourself when you're talking about something you're also involved in. It emphasizes that you are part of the action or situation.

  • Formula: Subject + Verb + myself + (and often others)

  • Examples:

    • “Can you help me?” “Yes, I can help myself too.” (You're saying you're also willing to help.)
    • “Are you coming to the party?” “Yes, I’ll be there myself.” (You're indicating that you will be present.)
    • “Did you finish the report?” “Yes, I finished it myself.” (You’re stating you completed the task.)
    • "I spoke to her yesterday myself." (Meaning: I spoke to her, not someone else.)

3. Using "Myself" with "Let"

  • "Let" often requires the reflexive pronoun "myself" when followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
  • Example: "Let myself in." (Meaning: "I'll open the door.") "Let yourself in." (Meaning: "You will open the door.") "Let himself in." (Meaning: "He will open the door.")

Key Differences & Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Don’t use “myself” when it’s not reflexive. This is the most common error. You don’t use "myself" to describe someone else.

    • Incorrect: “I told myself to go to the store.” (This means you told yourself...but it's awkward. A better way to phrase it would be: “I told myself that I should go to the store.”)
    • Correct: “I told him to go to the store.”

  • “Myself” vs. “Me”: This is a frequent point of confusion!

    • "Me" is an object pronoun. It receives the action of the verb. (e.g., "He gave me a book.")
    • "Myself" is a reflexive pronoun. It refers back to the subject. (e.g., “I did it myself.”)

Here’s a quick way to remember:

  • Reflexive: If the subject is doing the action to themselves, use "myself."
  • Presence: If you want to explicitly include yourself in a situation, use "myself."

Resources for More Practice:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are there any specific sentences you're struggling with using "myself"?
  • Are you mostly confused about the reflexive use, or the use to indicate presence?

Synonyms for the word myself

Idioms of the word myself

(all) by myself
alone; without anyone else
  • I live by myself.
without help
  • I painted the room all by myself.
(all) to myself
for the speaker or writer alone to have or use; not shared
  • I had a whole pizza to myself.

Practice with vocabulary myself

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After a challenging week, I needed to allow ________ some time to relax and recharge.
  2. I’ve taken on the responsibility to manage the entire project lifecycle ________.
  3. Could you please forward the updated policy document directly to ________ for review?
  4. She prefers to handle sensitive negotiations ________, without interference.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. I convinced ________ to take on the additional project, despite the heavy workload. a) me b) myself c) I d) personal
  2. For the presentation, I decided to create all the visual aids ________, ensuring they perfectly matched my content. a) myself b) by myself c) on my own d) alone
  3. I pride ________ on my ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently. a) me b) myself c) I d) by myself
  4. The team leader expects each member to submit their progress report ________, without relying on others. a) independently b) alone c) on their own d) by their selves
  5. Could you please send the detailed budget breakdown to ________ for final approval? a) me b) I c) my d) personal

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: I completed the entire project without any help. Rewrite:
  2. Original: I believe it is crucial to set aside time to focus on personal development. Rewrite:
  3. Original: She managed to resolve the complex client issue without any external intervention. Rewrite:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. myself
  2. myself
  3. me
  4. personally

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) myself
  2. a) myself, b) by myself, c) on my own
  3. b) myself
  4. a) independently, c) on their own
  5. a) me

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite: I completed the entire project myself. / I completed the entire project by myself.
  2. Rewrite: I believe it is crucial to set aside time to focus on developing myself.
  3. Rewrite: She managed to resolve the complex client issue autonomously.

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