Ourself vs. Ourselves — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 3, 2023
"Ourself" is a reflexive pronoun used rarely in modern English, while "ourselves" refers to the speaker and one or more others.
Difference Between Ourself and Ourselves
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both "ourself" and "ourselves" belong to the realm of reflexive pronouns, which are words that refer back to the subject of the sentence. However, the usage and context for these two words differ significantly, and understanding this distinction is crucial for proper application.
Historically, "ourself" was used more frequently, especially in older forms of English. Today, its usage has become quite limited, and it's rarely encountered in contemporary writings or speech. In modern English, "ourself" might be employed for emphasis or in royal proclamations, where a monarch might use it to refer to themselves, employing the "royal we."
On the other hand, "ourselves" is commonly used in today's language. It is the standard reflexive form corresponding to the plural pronoun "we." This means it refers back to a group, which includes the speaker. For instance, when a group is taking collective responsibility or action, "ourselves" is the appropriate choice.
In essence, while "ourself" has faded into obscurity, primarily resurfacing in specific contexts, "ourselves" maintains its vitality in the language, signifying collective action or feeling of a group that includes the speaker.
Comparison Chart
Usage Frequency
Rarely used in modern English.
Commonly used in modern English.
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Number
Singular
Plural
Context
Historically more prevalent, now mostly in royal contexts.
Standard reflexive form for "we."
Refers to
Can be used for an individual (especially in a royal context).
Refers to a group, including the speaker.
Example
"We, Victoria, by the grace of God... do decree for ourself..."
"We must defend ourselves against any threats."
Compare with Definitions
Ourself
A term reflecting singular collectiveness.
We, the monarch, declare for ourself.
Ourselves
Reflexive form of "we," indicating the action is done by the group to the group.
We can do it ourselves.
Ourself
An antiquated reflexive form of "we."
We decree for ourself that this shall be law.
Ourselves
Used for emphasis in collective contexts.
We ourselves witnessed the event.
Ourself
A term indicating personal responsibility or action in a collective context.
We must take it upon ourself to enact this change.
Ourselves
Indicates collective responsibility or ownership.
The decision was made by ourselves.
Ourself
Used for emphasis, particularly in royal contexts.
By the grace of God, we speak for ourself.
Ourselves
Signifies a shared experience or feeling.
We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
Ourself
A seldom-used term in contemporary speech.
We have decided this for ourself.
Ourselves
Denotes collective action or intention.
We will prepare ourselves for the challenge.
Ourself
(reflexive pronoun) royal]] or editorial we: myself (as used by a monarch, writer or speaker who is referring to themself as we).
In the present study, we will limit ourself to the simplest of cases.
Ourselves
(reflexive pronoun) Us; the group including the speaker as the object of a verb or preposition when that group also is the subject.
We should keep this for ourselves.
Ourself
(reflexive pronoun) The reflexive of the generic we: oneself.
We should love our neighbor as ourself.
Ourselves
(emphatic) We; intensifies the subject as the group including the speaker, especially to indicate that no one else satisfies the predicate.
We did it ourselves.
Ourselves
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.
We ourselves might distinctly number in words a great deal further then we usually do.
Safe in ourselves, while on ourselves we stand.
Unless we would denude ourself of all force.
Common Curiosities
Can "ourself" be used in a non-royal context?
While possible, it's very uncommon to use "ourself" outside of a royal or formal context.
What's the plural form of "ourself"?
The plural form is "ourselves."
Does "ourselves" always indicate more than one person?
Yes, "ourselves" typically refers to a group that includes the speaker.
Can "ourselves" be used for emphasis?
Yes, "ourselves" can be used for emphasis, as in "We ourselves saw it happen."
Are "ourself" and "ourselves" interchangeable?
No, "ourself" and "ourselves" have different contexts and are not typically interchangeable.
Is "ourself" commonly used in today's English?
No, "ourself" is rarely used in modern English.
How can I remember the difference?
Think of "ourself" as singular (and rarely used) and "ourselves" as the plural reflexive form of "we."
Which is the correct reflexive form for "we"?
The correct reflexive form for "we" is "ourselves."
Why might someone use "ourself" instead of "ourselves"?
"Ourself" might be used for stylistic or emphatic reasons, especially in older texts or royal contexts.
When speaking to a group, which should I use?
When referring to the collective group including yourself, use "ourselves."
Does "ourselves" always need a preceding subject?
Yes, like all reflexive pronouns, "ourselves" refers back to a subject, often "we."
Is "ourself" ever used outside of writing?
It's rare, but "ourself" might be encountered in very formal speeches or declarations.
Is "ourself" a mistake in grammar?
Not necessarily, but its use is limited and specific, whereas "ourselves" is more broadly applicable.
Can "ourself" be seen in historical texts?
Yes, "ourself" was more common in older forms of English and might be found in historical writings.
Is it wrong to use "ourself" in modern writing?
While not inherently wrong, using "ourself" might confuse readers unfamiliar with its specific context.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
