ourselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ourselves' is correct and usable in written English.
You should use 'ourselves' when referring to a group that includes the speaker or writer, e.g. "We should take care of ourselves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whichever view you take, multicultural and tolerant or disapproving and fearful, the awkward fact is that we have not been breeding fast enough (or young enough) to keep society functioning without outside help, let alone educating ourselves to the levels a post-industrial economy is going to need.

The Guardian

We should say to ourselves, not one more".

The Economist

Just to insure that shirkers get what they deserve, we are prepared to make ourselves poorer.

The Economist

"I want us to express ourselves against Chelsea, be positive and enjoy the experience," McClaren has said.

The Guardian - Sport

'Until 7 June [the day of the general election] we consoled ourselves with a forlorn hope,' he says.

The Guardian

Now a lot of us don't have time to scratch ourselves and make do with TV.

The Guardian - Sport

She said the IPCC had found no wrongdoing or misconduct for any of the armed officers involved in the operation and the recommendations would "be carefully reviewed by both ourselves and the Association of Chief Police Officers".

The Guardian

Twelve of us worked with fantastic tutors, taking inspiration from natural systems, learning about sustainable ways to produce food, generate energy, house ourselves, create a community, think and live well.

The Guardian - Travel

As I said last night on the telly, it's something that I had to do because of the circumstances in which we found ourselves".

The Guardian

"I want to see changes here with us Aboriginal women, to have that voice to speak not only for ourselves but men and women and the younger generations," she says.

The Guardian - Arts

Glover asked only that we "work out what things are most important and then try to see where we ourselves have a contribution to make".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the use of "ourselves" accurately reflects the intended meaning of a reflexive action performed by a group including the speaker. For example: "We must challenge "ourselves" to think differently."

Common error

Avoid using "ourselves" when the subject is singular. For instance, instead of "I blame ourselves", use "I blame myself".

Linguistic Context

The word "ourselves" functions as a reflexive pronoun. It indicates that the action of the verb reflects back upon the subject, which must be the plural pronoun "we". According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

15%

Opinion

12%

Less common in

Lifestyle

8%

Tech

5%

Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ourselves" is a reflexive pronoun used when the subject and object of a verb are the same, encompassing the speaker within a group. Grammatically sound and highly frequent, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is seen in a diverse range of contexts, from News & Media to Sports and Opinion pieces. When using "ourselves", ensure it aligns with a plural subject ("we") to avoid grammatical errors. Remember, effective writing involves understanding the nuances of reflexive pronouns like "ourselves" to convey precision and clarity in your communication. Explore alternatives like "our own selves" for emphasis or "each of us" to focus on individual actions within the group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our very selves

Adds emotional emphasis to the reflexive action, indicating a deeper or more significant impact.

our own selves

Emphasizes possession and identity. This option is emphatic, highlighting the "own" aspect of "selves".

we personally

Focuses on individual action within a group, adding emphasis on the subject pronoun.

as a group, we

Emphasizes the collective nature of an action, clarifying that it's done by the group as a whole.

we, for our part

Highlights the subject's specific role or action in relation to a larger context.

speaking for ourselves

Emphasizes the act of voicing opinions or taking action on behalf of the group.

we, as individuals

Specifies that each member of the group is acting independently, rather than as a unit.

on our own behalf

Highlights acting as representatives.

each of us

Shifts the focus to each individual member of the group, rather than the group as a whole.

personally, we

Highlights individual intentions within a group, adding a layer of accountability.

FAQs

How do I use "ourselves" in a sentence?

"Ourselves" is used when the subject and object of a verb are the same group of people including the speaker. For example, "We need to remind "remind ourselves" of the importance of teamwork."

Is "ourselves" a pronoun?

Yes, "ourselves" is a reflexive pronoun, meaning it refers back to the subject of the clause or sentence when the subject is "we".

When should I use "ourselves" instead of "ours"?

Use "ourselves" when the subject and object of the verb are the same (reflexive use). "Ours" is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership. For example: "We did it all by "ourselves"" versus "The decision is ours."

What is the difference between "ourselves" and "themselves"?

"Ourselves" is used when the subject includes the speaker (we), while "themselves" refers to a third-person plural subject (they). For example: "We need to motivate "ourselves"" versus "They need to motivate "motivate themselves"."