What is ourselves? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use "ourselves" correctly in English. It's a tricky word because it can have different meanings and usages. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. As a Reflexive Pronoun (Most Common)

• Meaning: This is the most frequent use. It refers back to the subject of a sentence and implies that the subject is doing the action to itself. It shows that the action is done by the subject and all the people involved.
• Structure: Subject + Verb + + ourselves
• Examples:
  • "We ourselves made the dinner." (We, as a group, prepared the food.)
  • "She ourselves cleaned the house." (She and possibly others cleaned the house.) – Note: This can sound a bit awkward, and you'd often rephrase it.
  • "They did a wonderful job; they did it ourselves." (They did it, and they did it with their own hands.) - Again, this is a bit clunky.

2. As a Pronoun with "to" or "for" (Expressing Purpose or Benefit)

• Meaning: In this case, “ourselves” is used with "to" or "for" to indicate that something is done for the benefit of or with the intention of the subject or group. It’s less about the subject performing the action and more about the consequence.
• Structure: Subject + Verb + to/for + ourselves
• Examples:
  • "We are saving money ourselves to buy a new car." (We are saving money for our own benefit – to buy a car.)
  • "They prepared the presentation ourselves to impress the clients." (They prepared the presentation with the purpose of impressing the clients.)
  • "I’m going to help ourselves to some cake." (I’m going to enjoy the cake – for our enjoyment.)

3. As an Adverb (Less Common – Often Avoided Now)

• Meaning: Historically, “ourselves” was sometimes used as an adverb to mean “by ourselves” or “on our own.” However, this usage is considered somewhat formal and outdated. It's often better to rephrase.
• Examples (Best to Avoid):
  • "We did it ourselves." (Better: "We did it ourselves.") – This is how it should be written, but sounds a bit old-fashioned.
  • "They built the house ourselves." (Better: “They built the house on their own.”)

Important Notes & Tips:

• It’s Often Redundant: In many cases, “ourselves” is unnecessary. "We" is usually sufficient. Overusing "ourselves" can make your writing sound overly formal or even pretentious.
• "Us" vs. "Ourselves": “Us” is the objective pronoun. “Ourselves” is the reflexive pronoun. Remember this basic difference!
• Politeness & Naturalness: When you’re using “ourselves” to express a benefit (with "to" or "for"), it can sometimes sound a bit demanding. Consider rephrasing to be more polite or collaborative.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

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

• What kind of sentence are you trying to write? (e.g., a personal reflection, a descriptive passage, a formal report?)
• Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?