only they themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only they themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that a specific group is solely responsible for their actions or decisions. Example: "In the end, only they themselves can determine their future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Not only they themselves die, but a number of absolutely innocent people die with them".

The New York Times

The Law Lords usually sit in panels of five, chosen by a method only they themselves understand.

The Economist

The Kings, who say they think they outplayed Los Angeles in last season's conference finals, believe that only they themselves, not the Lakers, can stop them.

The New York Times - Sports

A real leader spends the vast majority of their time doing things that only they themselves can do.

Huffington Post

And a consequence of these beliefs is that many a community has been held hostage or destroyed, because they have been waiting on an external savior to exercise the spiritual energy that only they themselves possess.

Huffington Post

The informants described that it was only they themselves who can take on responsibility for the disorders.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But only because they themselves cut the previous budget.

The Guardian

Each year since 2004, children themselves have proposed, not only what they themselves can do about a particular theme, but what adults can do to help them.

Unicef

Smart systems will make the world more transparent only if they themselves are transparent.

The Economist

Or maybe they realized they only convinced themselves that they liked you and that you two have nothing in common.

WikiHow

They insisted that the planning team included only activities that they themselves believed were important without even providing proper justifications.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only they themselves" to emphasize that a particular group is uniquely positioned or responsible for a specific action or outcome. This phrase adds a layer of self-reliance and exclusivity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "only they themselves alone" as it is unnecessarily repetitive. The inclusion of both "themselves" and "alone" creates redundancy; choose one for clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only they themselves" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing that a specific group is uniquely capable or responsible. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and serves to highlight the self-reliance and exclusivity of the subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only they themselves" serves to emphasize the unique responsibility or capability of a particular group. Grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "they alone" or "themselves exclusively" offer similar meanings, the original phrase adds a specific emphasis on self-reliance. When using this phrase, avoid redundancy and ensure it clearly highlights the intended group's singular role.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they alone

Emphasizes the exclusivity of the group's capability or responsibility, removing redundancy.

themselves exclusively

Highlights that the action or ability belongs solely to them.

solely on their own

Stresses independence and self-reliance.

just them and no others

Clarifies the absence of external involvement or assistance.

they and nobody else

Directly contrasts their involvement with the exclusion of others.

they are the only ones

Simplifies the structure while maintaining the meaning.

only they can

Focuses on their unique ability or permission.

the buck stops with them

Idiomatic expression indicating ultimate responsibility.

they are solely responsible

Formal phrasing emphasizing their accountability.

they bear the responsibility alone

Highlights individual and isolated accountability.

FAQs

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

The phrase "only they themselves" is used to emphasize that a particular group or individuals are solely responsible for something. For example: "Only they themselves can understand the sacrifices they made."

What is an alternative to using "only they themselves"?

You can use alternatives like "they alone", "themselves exclusively", or "solely on their own" to express a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "only they themselves"?

Yes, the phrase "only they themselves" is grammatically correct and is used to emphasize that a specific group is the only one capable or responsible for something.

What's the difference between "only they" and "only they themselves"?

While "only they" indicates exclusivity, "only they themselves" adds emphasis on the self-reliance or personal responsibility of the group in question. The latter intensifies the sense of individual agency.