yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is referring to the person being addressed, often in phrases that emphasize self-action or self-reference. Example: "Take a moment to reflect on yourself and your goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Ask yourself: if I were a Chinese spy, why wouldn't I have flown directly into Beijing?

The New York Times

PH: "You couldn't think about anyone but yourself.

The Guardian

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Nevertheless, stretch yourself.

The Guardian

More than that, Levin also implicitly suggested that there was something wrong per se with betting that the housing market would crash, suggesting that while it's good to make money from good things happening, it's nefarious to put yourself in a position to make money when bad things happen.

The Economist

Earlier, a parenting campaigner named Margaret expressed a similar opinion: "If you can't provide for your child yourself, then wait 'til you can to have it.

The Guardian - Opinion

To get up there and do that … to put yourself on the line takes a lot of courage and it's a mental game as much as anything".

The Guardian - Sport

Discover how they achieved that specific Heineken taste, marvel at 140 years of beer advertising, or get 'brewed' yourself in a 4D movie.

The Guardian - Travel

When Cauchetier began taking set photographs in the late 1950s, the job was to stand unobtrusively next to the cameraman, take a quick snap at the end of a scene and make yourself scarce.

The Guardian - Arts

You signed up for as much as you could at your "real" job and saved yourself thousands of pounds, and, yes, lunch-and-learns do count.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We are in the process of making [the design] available over the web, as a do-it-yourself kit," says DeVaul.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Utilize "yourself" for emphasis to single out the person being addressed (e.g., 'You yourself know the answer.')

Common error

Avoid using "yourself" when the possessive pronoun "yours" is required. For example, say 'Is this book yours?' not 'Is this book yourself?'

Linguistic Context

The pronoun "yourself" primarily functions as a reflexive or intensive pronoun. Reflexively, it indicates that the action of the verb reflects back upon the subject (e.g., 'Help yourself'). Intensively, it emphasizes the subject (e.g., 'You yourself know'). According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The pronoun "yourself" is a versatile and frequently used term in the English language, functioning primarily as a reflexive or intensive pronoun. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. It is widely used in News & Media. When using "yourself", remember that it refers back to the subject of the sentence or adds emphasis. Avoid confusing it with the possessive pronoun "yours". Understanding these nuances will ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

your very self

Adds a layer of emphasis and intensity.

you, personally

Highlights direct involvement or action by the individual.

you specifically

Highlights the focus on a particular individual.

your own person

Emphasizes individuality and independence, slightly stronger than "yourself".

just you

Simplifies the expression to emphasize the individual.

you, independently

Stresses autonomy in action or thought.

by yourself alone

Emphasizes solitude and independence.

on your own

Focuses on the independent aspect of performing an action.

you, without assistance

Highlights the absence of help from others.

you, unaided

Highlights the lack of assistance in performing an action.

FAQs

How do I use "yourself" in a sentence?

"Yourself" is used when the object of a verb or preposition is the same person as the subject. For example, "Believe in yourself" or "Did you do it yourself?"

What is the difference between "yourself" and "yours"?

"Yourself" is a reflexive or intensive pronoun, while "yours" is a possessive pronoun. "Yourself" refers back to the subject of the sentence, whereas "yours" indicates ownership. For example, "Did you hurt yourself?" (reflexive) versus "Is this book yours?" (possessive).

Can "yourself" be used to address a group?

No, "yourself" is singular. For a group, the correct pronoun is "yourselves".

What can I say instead of "do it yourself"?

Alternatives include "do it "on your own"", "do it "independently"", or "do it "without help"" depending on the specific context.