Ourself Vs Ourselves: Understanding The Difference

Introduction

When it comes to using pronouns in English, things can get a little confusing. One common area of confusion is the difference between “ourself” and “ourselves”. In this article, we’ll explore the meanings of these two words and provide examples of when to use each one.

Ourself

The word “ourself” is a reflexive pronoun, which means it refers back to the subject of the sentence. It is used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same person or group of people. Here are some examples:

– We need to take care of ourself first before we can help others.

– The team is working hard to improve ourself for the upcoming competition.

– As a company, we are committed to developing ourself and our employees.

As you can see, “ourself” is used when talking about a single person or a group of people acting as a single entity.

Ourselves

The word “ourselves” is a reflexive pronoun as well, but it is used when the subject and object of a sentence are different people or groups. Here are some examples:

– We need to take care of ourselves first before we can help others.

– The teams are working hard to improve themselves for the upcoming competition.

– As a company, we are committed to developing ourselves and our employees.

In these examples, “ourselves” is used when talking about a group of people or multiple individuals. It refers back to the subject of the sentence, but the subject is not the same as the object.

Common Mistakes with Ourself and Ourselves

One of the most common mistakes people make with these two pronouns is using “ourself” when they should be using “ourselves”. For example:

– We need to take care of ourself first before we can help others. (Incorrect)

– We need to take care of ourselves first before we can help others. (Correct)

Another common mistake is using “ourself” when talking about someone else. For example:

– She needs to take care of ourself first before she can help others. (Incorrect)

– She needs to take care of herself first before she can help others. (Correct)

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between “ourself” and “ourselves” is important for clear communication in English. Remember that “ourself” is used when talking about a single person or a group of people acting as a single entity, while “ourselves” is used when talking about a group of people or multiple individuals. By using these pronouns correctly, you can avoid common mistakes and communicate more effectively.

Sources

Grammarly

Cambridge Dictionary