ourselves

ourselves
our|selves [ aur`selvz ] pronoun ***
Ourselves is a reflexive pronoun, being the reflexive form of we. It can be used especially in the following ways:
as an object that refers to the same people who are the subject of the sentence or who are mentioned somewhere earlier in the sentence:
We all enjoyed ourselves.
He asked us some questions about ourselves.
after we for emphasis:
We ourselves have to make these decisions.
1. ) used for showing that both you and a group you are a part of are affected by or involved in an action that you do together:
We kept ourselves awake by playing card games.
We will defend ourselves with all our strength.
Our prayers were for ourselves and our families.
2. ) used for referring to yourself and a group you are a part of, when you have already been mentioned in the same sentence:
The training program will give us a better understanding of ourselves.
3. ) used for emphasizing that you are referring to yourself and the group you are a part of, and not anyone else:
Because we ourselves are Italian, we know what Italian cooking should be.
a ) used for emphasizing that you and the group you are a part of do something without help from anyone else:
If you won't help us, we'll do it ourselves.
4. ) used instead of us when you are trying to be polite. Many people consider this use incorrect:
One copy of the document should be returned to ourselves.
(all) by ourselves
1. ) alone:
We had dinner by ourselves in our hotel room.
2. ) without help from anyone:
We knew that we couldn't organize such a big event all by ourselves.
(all) to ourselves
used for saying that you and someone else do not have to share something with other people:
Freddy's folks were away, so we had the place all to ourselves.
Now that we've both retired, we have more time to ourselves.

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • ourselves — [ourselvz′; ärselvz′] pron. [LME ure selves, for Midland ure selven, replacing us selven, lit., us selves] a form of WE, used: a) as an intensifier [we ourselves saw it] b) as a reflexive [we hurt ourselves] c) with the meaning “our real, true,… …   English World dictionary

  • Ourselves — Our*selves , pron.; sing. {Ourself} (?). An emphasized form of the pronoun of the first person plural; used as a subject, usually with we; also, alone in the predicate, in the nominative or the objective case. [1913 Webster] We ourselves might… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ourselves — may refer to: Sinn Féin, a series of Irish political movements in the 20th century. (song), a single by J pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki which contains the song Ourselves. ourselves (album), an album by band 7 Seconds. This disambiguation page lists… …   Wikipedia

  • ourselves — ► PRONOUN (first person pl. ) 1) used as the object of a verb or preposition when this is the same as the subject of the clause and the subject is the speaker and one or more other people considered together. 2) (emphatic ) we or us personally …   English terms dictionary

  • ourselves */*/*/ — UK [aʊə(r)ˈselvz] / US [aʊrˈselvz] pronoun Summary: Ourselves is a reflexive pronoun, being the reflexive form of we. It can be used especially in the following ways: as an object that refers to the same people who are the subject of the sentence …   English dictionary

  • ourselves — [[t]aʊə(r)se̱lvz[/t]] ♦♦♦ (Ourselves is the first person plural reflexive pronoun.) 1) PRON REFL: v PRON, prep PRON You use ourselves to refer to yourself and one or more other people as a group. We sat round the fire to keep ourselves warm... It …   English dictionary

  • ourselves — /ahr selvz , oweur , ow euhr /, pron.pl. 1. a reflexive form of we (used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the direct object of a preposition): We are deceiving ourselves. Give us a moment to ourselves. 2. (used as an intensive with… …   Universalium

  • ourselves — our|selves W3S1 [auəˈselvz US aur ] pron 1.) used by the person speaking to show that they and one or more other people are affected by their own action ▪ We prepared ourselves for the long journey ahead. ▪ It was strange seeing ourselves on… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • ourselves — pronoun 1 the reflexive form of we : It was strange seeing ourselves on television. | We all introduced ourselves before the meeting started. 2 used to emphasize the pronoun we, a plural noun etc: Not many people realise we built the house… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • ourselves*/*/ — [aʊəˈselvz] pronoun 1) the REFLEXIVE form of ‘we , used for showing that both you and the group that you are a part of are affected by what you do together We kept ourselves awake by playing card games.[/ex] We are doing this for ourselves and… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

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