themselves - Master This Word

themselves Word Meanings

• reflexive pronoun: the subject acts on themselves (they hurt themselves)
• intensive pronoun: emphasizes that they did it themselves
• refers back to a plural group, used for emphasis or clarification in context

themselves Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• They do the work themselves.
• The children build the toy themselves.
• The workers fix the road themselves.
• The students read the book themselves.
• The players practice the song themselves.

themselves Word Etymology

Root decomposition: them + selves (selves is the plural of self). Historical origin: self comes from Old English self, from Proto-Germanic *selbaz; them is the objective form of they, and selves as the plural of self; themselves appears in Middle English. Memory image: imagine a circle of friends around a table, each pointing to themselves as they boast that they did it themselves.

English Brain Route

I grip the rope, set my feet, and push. We move as a line, and they pull themselves up together. The effort tightens in the shoulders and breath, a small, controlled burn. That moment lands in speech as themselves; they did it themselves, not handed to them.

Real Context

themselves is a reflexive pronoun used with plural subjects, as in they hurt themselves. It also functions as an intensive pronoun to emphasize that the subject did the action alone or without help: they did it themselves. It can refer back to a plural group or to a singular person who is acting as part of that group. In writing, it mirrors the subject: the committee revised the report themselves. In spoken English, you may hear it used for emphasis as well. Learners often confuse themselves with themself, forget that singular they can take themselves, or mistakenly use themself with plural antecedents.

Usage Reminders

• Use themselves after plural subjects. Use themselves as an intensive pronoun for emphasis. Do not use themself with plural antecedents. With singular they, some guides allow themself, but it is less standard. Keep the pronoun close to the subject to avoid ambiguity.

Common Misconceptions

• The word themselves is a possessive form (it's not).
• Theyself is acceptable for plural subjects (it's usually incorrect).
• It can replace the subject (it cannot; it reflects back to the subject).
• Using themselves with a singular antecedent is always wrong (singular they may allow it in some styles).
• Confusing themself with themselves; confusing number with they.

Thinking Differences

In English, themselves links back to a plural subject and can also be used for emphasis with they. Many learners worry about choosing theyself vs themselves, but standard usage prefers themselves for plural antecedents and a form like they did it themselves for emphasis.

Learning Tips

• Practice using themselves with plural subjects like groups.
• Distinguish reflexive from simple object usage.
• Check subject-pronoun agreement in person and number.
• Remember that they/these and themselves pair as a unit for emphasis.
• Compare sentences with and without the reflexive pronoun to see nuance.
• Be aware of the singular they debate and when theyself might appear.

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

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