enjoy ourselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'enjoy ourselves' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you or someone else is experiencing or taking part in something enjoyable. Here is an example sentence: We went out for dinner to enjoy ourselves.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We can enjoy ourselves".

The New York Times

Let's just enjoy ourselves.

The New York Times - Sports

We have to enjoy ourselves".

The New York Times - Sports

How can we enjoy ourselves?

The New Yorker

We're just going to enjoy ourselves.

The New York Times

We can enjoy ourselves a bit longer".

The New Yorker

That way we can all enjoy ourselves.

The New York Times - Books

We just tried to enjoy ourselves and when we enjoy ourselves we play our best".

The Guardian - Sport

We are allowed and entitled to enjoy ourselves," she said.

Independent

We go to concerts to enjoy ourselves and have fun".

The Guardian - Music

-- and head out to the ocean to enjoy ourselves.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "enjoy ourselves" with specific activities or events to make your writing more vivid and engaging. For example, "We plan to enjoy ourselves at the beach" is more descriptive than just "We plan to enjoy ourselves."

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "enjoy ourselves", which implies a shared experience, with the idea of someone enjoying something alone. Instead of saying 'They enjoy ourselves', use 'They enjoy themselves' to refer to separate instances of individual enjoyment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enjoy ourselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating that the subject (we) is both performing and receiving the action of enjoying. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, showcasing many examples where the subject actively participates in and benefits from the enjoyable activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enjoy ourselves" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses a shared experience of pleasure. Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples across diverse sources—primarily news and media—confirm its versatility and widespread acceptance. When using this phrase, be mindful of its reflexive nature, ensuring it aligns with a group that includes the speaker. For variations, consider alternatives like "have a good time" or "have fun", depending on the specific context. Ultimately, "enjoy ourselves" is a reliable way to communicate the intention or reality of collective enjoyment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a good time

Focuses more on the experience of a pleasant occasion or event.

have fun

Emphasizes amusement and lightheartedness.

revel

Suggests taking great pleasure or delight in something.

indulge

Implies allowing oneself to enjoy something desirable or pleasurable, often to excess.

bask

Conveys enjoying a pleasant situation or experience to the fullest.

delight

Suggests great pleasure or satisfaction.

savor

Emphasizes appreciating something with great enjoyment.

frolic

Implies playful and lively enjoyment.

live it up

Suggests enjoying oneself extravagantly.

paint the town red

Refers to going out and enjoying oneself exuberantly, often involving nightlife.

FAQs

How do I use "enjoy ourselves" in a sentence?

Use "enjoy ourselves" to indicate that a group of people are having a pleasant or fun experience together. For example, "We went to the park to "have a good time" and enjoy ourselves."

Is "enjoy ourselves" grammatically correct?

Yes, "enjoy ourselves" is grammatically correct. It is the reflexive form of the verb "enjoy" used with the pronoun "we", indicating that the subject is both performing and receiving the action.

What is a synonym for "enjoy ourselves"?

A synonym for "enjoy ourselves" is "have fun". Other similar expressions include "have a good time" or "revel in" the moment.

What's the difference between "enjoy ourselves" and "enjoying themselves"?

"Enjoy ourselves" refers to a group that includes the speaker (e.g., "We will enjoy ourselves"), while "enjoying themselves" refers to a group of people not including the speaker (e.g., "They are enjoying themselves").