by themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

'by themselves' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is done alone, without the help of anyone else. For example, "The children managed to complete the puzzle by themselves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The notes by themselves — they were sharp".

The New York Times

The restrictions are not new by themselves.

The New York Times

Did they do it by themselves?

Independent

By themselves, the dates prove nothing.

The New Yorker

But here children are by themselves.

The New Yorker

Not all by themselves, of course.

The New York Times

They live by themselves, for themselves".

The New Yorker

Companies by themselves won't do this.

The New York Times

"But no one can succeed by themselves.

The New York Times

They do the press by themselves.

The New York Times

They walked by themselves.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by themselves" to clearly indicate that an action was completed or a state exists without external help. This is particularly useful in scientific reports, news articles, and instructional guides where clarity is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "by themselves" when you should be using "by themselves". "By themselves" is used when the subject is plural. If the subject is singular, use "by itself".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by themselves" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action is performed without assistance. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase clarifies the manner in which something is done.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by themselves" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that signifies independence and self-sufficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and applicable across a broad range of contexts, from formal scientific reports to informal discussions. It's crucial to use "by themselves" correctly, ensuring the subject is plural; otherwise, "by itself" is more appropriate. Remember to use "by themselves" when you want to emphasize that something was done without any external help.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on their own

Replaces "by themselves" with a more general phrase indicating independence.

without help

A straightforward way to express the lack of assistance.

independently

Highlights the independent nature of the action or state.

without assistance

Formally states the absence of help, suitable for more formal contexts.

autonomously

Stresses the self-governing or self-controlling aspect of an action.

unaided

Emphasizes the lack of external help, making it suitable when highlighting self-reliance.

of their own accord

Highlights that the action was voluntary and not forced.

solo

Implies that something is done alone. It's more informal than "by themselves".

single-handedly

Indicates that something was done alone, often implying effort or difficulty.

in isolation

Emphasizes the separated or detached nature of the action or state.

FAQs

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

Use "by themselves" to indicate that a group or multiple entities acted or exist without assistance. For example, "The children completed the project "by themselves"".

What are some alternatives to saying "by themselves"?

You can use alternatives like "on their own", "independently", or "without assistance" to convey a similar meaning. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of independence or lack of help.

Is there a difference between "by themselves" and "on their own"?

While both phrases indicate independence, "by themselves" specifically emphasizes the absence of external help, while "on their own" can also imply being in a solitary situation. The phrase "on their own" is a more general phrase.

When should I use "by itself" instead of "by themselves"?

Use "by itself" when referring to a singular subject acting alone, and "by themselves" when referring to a plural subject. For example, "The program cannot function "by itself"." versus "The programs cannot function "by themselves"".