themselves
Used when 'they' do something to the same people or things that are the subject.
The reflexive form of the pronoun 'they', used when the subject and object of a verb are the same people or things.
Used to show it was really 'they' and not someone else who did something.
Used to emphasize the identity of the subject 'they' as being the ones who performed an action.
Used when 'they' are alone or do something without help from anyone else.
Used to indicate that 'they' are alone or acting without help from others.
- Base: themselves
- Plural: themselveses
be beside themselves (with emotion)
1Extremely upset or excited
To be very upset, angry, or excited.
- They were beside themselves with joy at the news.
- The parents were beside themselves with worry.
by themselves
1Alone without help or company
Without help from anyone else; alone.
- They finished the project by themselves.
- The children went to school by themselves for the first time.
in and of themselves
1Considered alone, without outside factors
Looked at alone, without thinking about anything else.
- These facts, in and of themselves, are not enough to prove guilt.
- In and of themselves, the changes seem small.
keep to themselves
1Avoid social interaction with others
To not talk or mix much with other people.
- They tend to keep to themselves at parties.
- The new neighbors keep to themselves most of the time.