ourselves
gb/aʊɚsˈɛlvz/ us/aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
A2
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
pronoun
A2
relation
1
Reflexive form of 'we'
Used when 'we' or 'us' is the subject and the object is also the same people.
Usage pattern:
[we] [verb] ourselves
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'us' instead of 'ourselves' when the subject and object are the same (e.g., 'We hurt us' instead of 'We hurt ourselves').
Synonyms
us ('Us' is the object form of 'we', but not reflexive; it does not show that the subject and object are the same.)
Antonyms
others (Refers to people who are not part of the same group as 'we'.)
Collocations
by ourselves
|for ourselves
|introduce ourselves
|blame ourselves
|help ourselves
Themes
grammar
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We prepared ourselves for the long journey.
- We saw ourselves in the mirror.
- We congratulated ourselves on a job well done.
- We taught ourselves how to code.
- We promised ourselves we would try harder next time.
Learner examples
- We made ourselves lunch.
- We taught ourselves English.
- We hurt ourselves while playing.
- We saw ourselves in the photo.
- We told ourselves it was okay.
pronoun
A2
state
2
Alone, without help from others
Used to say that only 'we' did something, with no one helping.
Usage pattern:
[do something] ourselves
Common mistake:
Learners may omit 'ourselves' when emphasizing independence, reducing clarity (e.g., 'We built the shed' vs. 'We built the shed ourselves').
Synonyms
alone ('Alone' can mean without other people, but is not reflexive and does not specifically refer to 'we'.)
Antonyms
with help (Indicates assistance from other people rather than doing something on one's own.)
Collocations
fix it ourselves
|do it ourselves
|make it ourselves
Themes
independence
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- We built the shed all by ourselves.
- We cooked the entire meal ourselves.
- We solved the problem ourselves without calling tech support.
Learner examples
- We fixed the car ourselves.
- We cleaned the house ourselves.
- We made the cake ourselves.
pronoun
B1
state
3
In our usual state or character
Used to say that 'we' are acting or feeling like we normally do.
Usage pattern:
be ourselves
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the reflexive sense and use it incorrectly in place of 'us'. Context is key to correct use.
Synonyms
normal ('Normal' describes a state but is not reflexive and does not specify who is referred to.)
Antonyms
out of sorts (Describes feeling unwell or unlike one's usual self.)
Collocations
be ourselves
|feel like ourselves
Themes
emotions
|identity
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After the vacation, we finally felt like ourselves again.
- We weren’t quite ourselves after hearing the bad news.
- It took a few days to be ourselves after the stressful week.
Learner examples
- We are happy to be ourselves again.
- We feel like ourselves today.
- After rest, we are ourselves again.
Grammar
Expressions
among ourselves
1/əmˈʌŋ aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
fixed phrase
Only between us in our group
Only shared or discussed with people in our group, not outsiders.
Examples
- Let's keep this information among ourselves.
- Among ourselves, we agreed that it was a mistake.
be ourselves
1/bˈi aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
fixed phrase
Act naturally, as we usually do
To act in our normal, real way, not pretending.
Examples
- We should just be ourselves during the interview.
- The coach told us to relax and be ourselves.
by ourselves
1/bˈaɪ aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
fixed phrase
Without help from others
Without any other people helping us.
Examples
- We completed the project by ourselves.
- We traveled across Europe by ourselves.
to ourselves
1/tə aʊɚsˈɛlvz/
fixed phrase
For our own private use or benefit only
For only us to use or enjoy, not others.
Examples
- We had the whole beach to ourselves.
- The cabin was ours to ourselves all weekend.