only themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that a particular group or individual is solely responsible for their own actions or situation. Example: "In the end, they realized that they could only blame themselves for the outcome of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They can blame only themselves.

The New York Times - Travel

They have only themselves to blame.

The New York Times

They really have only themselves to blame.

Independent

Who was ever only themselves?

The New Yorker

Everton had only themselves to blame.

The Guardian - Sport

The Nets stopped only themselves tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

Argentina really have only themselves to blame.

The Guardian - Sport

Those who demonize them disgrace only themselves.

The New Yorker

For this, women have only themselves to blame.

The Economist

"The rappers of Y'En A Marre represent only themselves.

The New York Times

Sadly, those once heroic knights have only themselves to blame.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only themselves" when you want to clearly state that a group or individual is solely responsible for a situation. For example: "If they fail, they have "only themselves" to blame."

Common error

Avoid using "only themselves" when referring to a singular subject. Use "only himself" or "only herself" depending on the gender of the subject. For example, instead of "She has only themselves to blame", write "She has "only herself" to blame".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only themselves" functions as a reflexive pronoun, emphasizing that the subject's actions or situation are exclusively their own responsibility. Ludwig's examples showcase this use in contexts where blame or accountability is being assigned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only themselves" is a grammatically sound and frequently used reflexive pronoun phrase. According to Ludwig, it's primarily employed to assign responsibility or blame directly to a subject or group, implying that the outcomes are a direct consequence of their actions. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly news and media, and sports reporting. When using the phrase, it's crucial to ensure it agrees in number with the subject to avoid grammatical errors. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its practical application in real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely responsible

Emphasizes the complete and individual accountability.

exclusively to blame

Focuses on assigning fault to a single party.

just their own fault

Focuses on blame and personal responsibility for a negative outcome.

individually responsible

Emphasizes the separate and distinct responsibility of each person.

entirely their problem

Highlights that the issue is exclusively theirs to handle.

on their own

Similar to "by themselves", implying independence.

accountable alone

Stresses that they are the only ones to answer for something.

by themselves

Indicates they are acting without external help or influence.

personally liable

Highlights legal or financial responsibility.

self-dependent

Highlights the state of being reliant on oneself.

FAQs

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

You can use "only themselves" to emphasize that a group is solely responsible for something. For example: "If the team loses, they have "only themselves" to blame."

What's an alternative to "only themselves"?

Alternatives include phrases like "solely responsible" or "just their own fault" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "only them" instead of "only themselves"?

No, "only them" is grammatically incorrect in this context. You need the reflexive pronoun "themselves" to indicate that the action or blame is directed back to the subject. The correct phrase is "only themselves".

When should I use "only himself/herself" versus "only themselves"?

"Only himself" or "only herself" is used when referring to a singular subject. For plural subjects or groups, use "only themselves". For example: "He has "only himself" to blame", but "They have "only themselves" to blame".