itself
gb/ɪtsˈɛlf/ us/ɪtsˈɛlf/
A2
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
pronoun
A2
relation
1
Reflexive or emphatic form of 'it'
Used when the thing we are talking about does something to it, or to make it clear we mean that thing only.
Usage pattern:
[itself] after [noun/pronoun] to emphasize or reflect
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'itself' with 'himself' or 'herself', using the wrong pronoun for animals or things.
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.)
Collocations
by itself
|in itself
|of itself
|itself alone
Themes
grammar
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The cat cleaned itself after eating.
- The decision itself was not surprising.
- 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.
- The phone turns itself off.
- The cake itself is very sweet.
- The car drives itself.
- The house itself is very old.
Grammar
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.