yourself
gb/jʊɹsˈɛlf/ us/jʊɹsˈɛlf/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
pronoun
A2
relation
1
the person you are talking to
Used to talk about the same person you are speaking to, when they do something to or for themself.
Usage pattern:
[verb] yourself
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'yourself' with 'yourselves' when speaking to more than one person.
Synonyms
you personally (Emphasizes the individual being addressed directly.)
Antonyms
someone else (Refers to a different person instead of the one being spoken to.)
Collocations
help yourself
|introduce yourself
|behave yourself
|control yourself
Themes
daily life
|grammar
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You should be proud of yourself for finishing the project.
- Please help yourself to some cake.
- Did you hurt yourself when you fell?
- Try to express yourself clearly during the interview.
Learner examples
- You can help yourself to a drink.
- Please take care of yourself.
- Did you make this by yourself?
- Don't blame yourself for the mistake.
pronoun
B1
relation
2
emphasizing the person addressed
Used to make clear you mean the person you are speaking to, not someone else.
Usage pattern:
you yourself [verb/phrase]
Common mistake:
Learners may omit 'yourself' when emphasis is needed, making the sentence less strong.
Synonyms
you in particular (Highlights that the statement applies specifically to the listener.)
Antonyms
others (Indicates people other than the one being spoken to.)
Collocations
you yourself said
|even yourself
|ask yourself
Themes
communication
|emphasis
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You yourself admitted that it was your fault.
- Even you yourself can see the problem here.
- Ask yourself if this is really what you want.
Learner examples
- You yourself told me this.
- Even you yourself can do it.
- Ask yourself if it is true.
pronoun
A2
state
3
without help from others
Used when you do something alone, with no help from others.
Usage pattern:
by yourself
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'by yourself' with 'for yourself'; 'by' means without help, 'for' means for your own benefit.
Synonyms
alone (Means without other people present or helping.)
Antonyms
with others (Indicates doing something together with other people.)
Collocations
by yourself
|do it yourself
Themes
independence
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- Did you build this table by yourself?
- Sometimes it's nice to spend time by yourself.
- You'll have to finish the work by yourself.
Learner examples
- I cooked dinner by myself.
- He went to the park by himself.
- She learned English by herself.
Grammar
Dictionary form
yourself
IPA
GB/jʊɹsˈɛlf/
US/jʊɹsˈɛlf/
Syllables & stress
your - self (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (self)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: yourself
- Plural: yourselves
Word family
Expressions
by yourself
1/bˈaɪ jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
do alone without help
Do something alone, with no one helping you.
Examples
- I fixed the car by myself.
- She traveled across Europe by herself.
control yourself
1/kəntɹˈoʊl jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
keep emotions under control
Stop your feelings or actions from getting too strong or wild.
Examples
- Control yourself! This is not the place for shouting.
- She had to control herself from laughing.
be yourself
1/bˈi jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
act naturally as you are
Act in a way that is natural for you, not pretending to be someone else.
Examples
- Just be yourself and you'll do fine in the interview.
- I like him because he is always himself.
be yourself
2/bˈi jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Act naturally and honestly as you are
To act in a way that is natural for you and not pretend to be someone else.
Examples
- Just be yourself during the interview.
- He told me to relax and be myself.
help yourself
3/hˈɛlp jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Take what you want (offered)
To take food, drink, or something else that is offered, without asking again.
Examples
- Please help yourself to some cake.
- Please help yourself to some cookies.
- They told us to help ourselves to drinks in the fridge.
- If you're hungry, help yourself from the fridge.
introduce yourself
1/ˌɪntɹoʊdˈus jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Say your name and basic details
To tell people your name and some information about you when you meet them for the first time.
Examples
- Please stand up and introduce yourself to the class.
- Please introduce yourself to the group.
- When you meet someone new, it's polite to introduce yourself.
- He stood up and introduced himself.