for themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"for themselves" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to refer to when one party takes action that benefits them, and not others. For example: "The trustees voted to keep the profits for themselves instead of distributing them among all members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Facts speak for themselves.

The New York Times

Feeling sorry for themselves.

The New York Times

"They speak for themselves".

The New York Times - Sports

Not for themselves, necessarily.

The New York Times

As for themselves?

The New York Times

Those numbers speak for themselves.

The New York Times

The clips speak for themselves.

The Economist

The stats speak for themselves".

The New York Times

"The facts speak for themselves".

The New York Times

They don't pray for themselves.

The New York Times

They want everything for themselves".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for themselves" to clearly indicate actions or decisions made with the primary intention of benefiting the individuals or group in question, distinguishing it from actions intended to benefit others.

Common error

Avoid using "for themselves" when a simpler personal pronoun (e.g., "for them") would suffice. "For themselves" should only be used when the subject and object of the verb are the same, indicating a reflexive action. For example, avoid "They bought gifts for themselves and their friends" because it can be split into two sentences: "They bought gifts for themselves" and "They bought gifts for their friends".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for themselves" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, indicating the beneficiary of an action. It modifies verbs to specify that the action is done with the intent of benefiting the subject, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for themselves" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action benefits the subject performing it. Ludwig AI’s analysis of numerous examples across diverse sources confirms its frequent use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. This phrase serves to emphasize self-interest, self-reliance, or direct personal benefit. When writing, be sure to use "for themselves" when the subject and object of the verb are the same, indicating a reflexive action. Related phrases such as "on their own behalf" and "for their own sake" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, each with slight nuances in meaning. Overall, mastering the use of "for themselves" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on their own

Suggests self-sufficiency and the absence of dependence on others.

independently

Highlights the autonomy and freedom from external control.

on their own behalf

Emphasizes acting as a representative or advocate for oneself.

personally

Underscores the direct, individual involvement in an action.

for their own sake

Highlights the benefit or interest derived personally from an action.

to benefit themselves

Explicitly states the intention of gaining an advantage.

by their own efforts

Stresses independence and self-reliance in achieving something.

to their advantage

Emphasizes how the action contributes to personal gain or success.

without assistance

Focuses on the lack of external help in accomplishing a task.

with no help from others

Highlights the lack of reliance on external support.

FAQs

How do I use "for themselves" in a sentence?

Use "for themselves" when you want to emphasize that people are acting in their own interest or benefiting directly from their actions. For instance, "The employees decided to invest the profits "for themselves"" indicates they chose to keep the money rather than distribute it.

What's a simple way to explain what "for themselves" means?

Simply put, "for themselves" means doing something that benefits the people taking the action, not someone else. It highlights self-interest or self-reliance. Alternatives include "on their own" or "independently", depending on the specific context.

Is "for themselves" interchangeable with "for them"?

No, "for themselves" and "for them" are not always interchangeable. "For themselves" implies a reflexive action where the subject and object are the same, while "for them" refers to a different group of people. Use "for themselves" only when the action directly benefits the subject performing it.

What's the difference between "for themselves" and "by themselves"?

"For themselves" means that the action is done to benefit the subject, while "by themselves" indicates that the action is done without any help or assistance. The phrases aren't interchangeable and have different meanings, however "on their own" is very close to "by themselves".