itself
gb/ɪtsˈɛlf/ us/ɪtsˈɛlf/
A2
English
~ 500
maga, önmaga
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[itself] after [noun/pronoun] to emphasize or reflect
The cat cleaned itself after eating.
A macska evés után megtisztogatta magát.
The decision itself was not surprising.
Maga a döntés nem volt meglepő.
The machine turns itself off after an hour.
The book itself is not very long.
The city itself is beautiful, but the traffic is bad.
Learner examples
The dog hurt itself.
A kutya megsértette magát.
The phone turns itself off.
A telefon magától kikapcsol.
The cake itself is very sweet.
The car drives itself.
The house itself is very old.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'itself' with 'himself' or 'herself', using the wrong pronoun for animals or things.
Meaning
Reflexive or emphatic form of 'it'
Collocations
by itself
|in itself
|of itself
|itself alone
Synonyms
alone (Focuses on being without help or company; 'itself' is grammatical and reflexive.)
|
personally (Used for people; 'itself' applies to non-humans or abstract things.)
Antonyms
others (Refers to things apart from the one mentioned; opposite of focusing on the same single entity.)
Themes
grammar
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
Used when the thing we are talking about does something to it, or to make it clear we mean that thing only.
Used to refer back to a thing, animal, or idea that has been mentioned, to show that it is the same one and not something else, often for emphasis.
Grammar
Dictionary form
itself
IPA
GB/ɪtsˈɛlf/
US/ɪtsˈɛlf/
Syllables & stress
it - self (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (self)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: itself
- Plural: itselves
Word family
Expressions
by itself
1/bˈaɪ ɪtsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
alone or without help
Used to say something happens alone, without help, or without other things.
Examples
- The door opened by itself.
- He lives by himself in a small house.
in itself
1/ˈɪn ɪtsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
considered alone, without other things
Used to say you are thinking about one thing alone, not together with other things.
Examples
- The plan, in itself, is good, but it may be hard to do.
- In itself, the problem is not serious.
of itself
1/əv ɪtsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
formal
happening naturally or automatically
Happening without anyone making it happen.
Examples
- The problem will solve itself of itself over time.
- The door closed of itself in the wind.