by ourselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"by ourselves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a task is being completed without any help from others. For example: "We decided to paint the house by ourselves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

By ourselves.

The New Yorker

And now we're by ourselves".

The New Yorker

"We have to come together by ourselves".

The New York Times

We don't own anything by ourselves.

The New York Times

He lets us get mad by ourselves.

The New Yorker

"We can manage just fine by ourselves".

The Economist

We will be challenged by ourselves.

The New York Times

"We can manage by ourselves.

The New York Times

"We manufacture it by ourselves.

The New York Times

Then we dance by ourselves.

The New York Times

I could let us shudder by ourselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by ourselves" to emphasize self-reliance or independence in completing a task or making a decision. It clearly indicates that no external help was involved.

Common error

Ensure you use the correct reflexive pronoun form ("ourselves" for "we"). Avoid mixing it up with other forms like "ourself" which is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by ourselves" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how an action is performed. It emphasizes that the action is carried out without the assistance or involvement of others. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by ourselves" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to emphasize the independent execution of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is adverbial, modifying verbs to specify the absence of external assistance. Found frequently in news and media, and science, it maintains a neutral register suitable for a variety of contexts. For stylistic variation, alternatives like "on our own" or "independently" can be considered, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use the correct reflexive pronoun ("ourselves" for "we") and to utilize it when highlighting self-reliance or a lack of outside support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on our own

Emphasizes independence and a lack of reliance on others, similar to "by ourselves" but with a slightly different tone.

independently

Highlights the autonomy in performing an action, focusing on the absence of external control or influence.

without help

Directly states the absence of assistance, useful when emphasizing the difficulty or challenge of a task.

single-handedly

Implies doing something significant alone, often suggesting a considerable effort or achievement.

under our own steam

Suggests self-propulsion and resourcefulness, indicating that progress is made through one's own efforts.

unaided

Formally emphasizes the lack of assistance, suitable for more serious or official contexts.

of our own accord

Highlights the voluntary and self-initiated nature of an action, implying that it was done willingly and without prompting.

through our own efforts

Stresses the work and dedication involved in accomplishing something without outside support.

by our own hand

Indicates direct involvement and personal execution, often implying skill or craftsmanship.

without assistance

Similar to "without help", but provides a more formal tone and emphasizes the complete absence of aid.

FAQs

How can I use "by ourselves" in a sentence?

Use "by ourselves" to indicate that a group completed an action without assistance. For example, "We fixed the car "by ourselves"."

What are some alternatives to saying "by ourselves"?

Alternatives include "on our own", "independently", or "without help" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "by ourself" instead of "by ourselves"?

No, "by ourself" is grammatically incorrect when referring to a group. The correct form is "by ourselves".

What's the difference between "by ourselves" and "alone"?

"By ourselves" emphasizes the lack of assistance, whereas "alone" primarily indicates the absence of other people. You can be alone but still receive help. "We finished the project "by ourselves"" means without external help, while "We were alone in the office" means no one else was there.