Self vs. Yourself — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 4, 2024
"Self" refers to a person's individual identity or essence, while "yourself" is a reflexive pronoun used to refer back to the subject "you".
Difference Between Self and Yourself
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Self" is often used in psychological and philosophical contexts to discuss one's consciousness and personal identity, while "yourself" is specifically used in grammar to refer to the person being addressed.
In discussions about personal development, "self" might be analyzed in terms of growth and realization, whereas "yourself" is used in language to emphasize the subject's role in their own actions.
The term "self" can be part of compound nouns (e.g., self-esteem, self-awareness), illustrating various aspects of one's identity, while "yourself" remains a singular reflexive form addressing the second person.
In literature, "self" can be explored as a theme or a character’s journey to self-discovery, on the other hand, "yourself" is used by authors in direct speech to create a conversational tone.
The concept of "self" is integral to theories of self-perception and identity in sociology and psychology, whereas "yourself" is mainly a linguistic tool that ensures grammatical correctness and clarity in communication.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronoun
Usage Context
Philosophical, psychological
Grammatical, reflexive
Compound Forms
Yes (e.g., self-aware, self-esteem)
No
Function in Sentence
Subject or object complement
Reflexive; refers back to the subject "you"
Relation to Identity
Directly relates to one's identity or essence
Used to emphasize the action's effect on oneself
Compare with Definitions
Self
Inner character or nature of a person.
His better self often emerges in times of crisis.
Yourself
Used to refer to the person being addressed.
Did you enjoy yourself at the party?
Self
The unique identity of a person seen as a separate entity.
Understanding your self is key to personal growth.
Yourself
Used as an intensive to emphasize the subject.
You yourself can change your future.
Self
Philosophical context of one's being or essence.
The debate about the self has long intrigued philosophers.
Yourself
Grammatically necessary reflexive pronoun.
You should prepare yourself for the exam.
Self
Personal interest or advantage.
Acting in one's own self can sometimes appear selfish.
Yourself
A reflexive form of you used for emphasis or as an object that refers to the subject of the clause.
You should take care of yourself.
Self
An individual's consciousness of their own identity.
The quest for the self dominated her life.
Yourself
Used in polite or formal contexts to refer to someone being addressed.
Help yourself to more coffee.
Self
The self is an individual person as the object of its own reflective consciousness. Since the self is a reference by a subject to the same subject, this reference is necessarily subjective.
Yourself
Used to refer to the person being addressed as the object of a verb or preposition when they are also the subject of the clause
Help yourselves, boys
See for yourself
Self
A person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action
Language is an aspect of a person's sense of self
Our alienation from our true selves
Guilt can be turned against the self
Yourself
You personally (used to emphasize the person being addressed)
You're going to have to do it yourself
Self
(of a trimming or cover) of the same material and colour as the rest of the item
A button-through style with self belt
Yourself
(reflexive pronoun) Your own self (singular).
Be careful with that fire or you'll burn yourself.
Self
Self-pollinate; self-fertilize
A variety that selfs itself loses lots of vigour in the progeny
Yourself
You (singular); used emphatically, especially to indicate exclusiveness of the referent's participation in the predicate, i.e., that no one else is involved.
You yourself know that what you wrote was wrong.
After a good night's sleep you'll feel like yourself again.
Self
The total, essential, or particular being of a person; the individual
"An actor's instrument is the self" (Joan Juliet Buck).
Yourself
An emphasized or reflexive form of the pronoun of the second person; - used as a subject commonly with you; as, you yourself shall see it; also, alone in the predicate, either in the nominative or objective case; as, you have injured yourself.
Of which right now ye han yourselve heard.
If yourselves are old, make it your cause.
Why should you be so cruel to yourself ?
The religious movement which you yourself, as well as I, so faithfully followed from first to last.
Self
The essential qualities distinguishing one person from another; individuality
"He would walk a little first along the southern walls, shed his European self, fully enter this world" (Howard Kaplan).
Self
One's consciousness of one's own being or identity; the ego
"For some of us, the self's natural doubts are given in mesmerizing amplification by way of critics' negative assessments of our writing" (Joyce Carol Oates).
Self
One's own interests, welfare, or advantage
Thinking of self alone.
Self
(Immunology) That which the immune system identifies as belonging to the body
Tissues no longer recognized as self.
Self
Of the same character throughout.
Self
Of the same material as the article with which it is used
A dress with a self belt.
Self
(Obsolete) Same or identical.
Self
To fertilize or pollinate itself. Used of hermaphroditic organisms.
Self
(obsolete) Himself, herself, itself, themselves; that specific (person mentioned).
This argument was put forward by the defendant self.
Self
Myself.
I made out a cheque, payable to self, which cheered me up somewhat.
Self
One individual's personality, character, demeanor, or disposition.
One's true self; one's better self; one's former self
Self
The subject of one's own experience of phenomena: perception, emotions, thoughts.
Self
An individual person as the object of the person's own reflective consciousness (plural selves).
Self
Self-interest or personal advantage.
Self
Identity or personality.
Self
(botany) A seedling produced by self-pollination (plural selfs).
Self
(botany) A flower having its colour uniform as opposed to variegated.
Self
Any molecule, cell, or tissue of an organism's own (belonging to the self), as opposed to a foreign (nonself) molecule, cell, or tissue (for example, infective, allogenic, or xenogenic).
Self
(botany) To fertilise by the same individual; to self-fertilise or self-pollinate.
Self
(botany) To fertilise by the same strain; to inbreed.
Self
Having its own or a single nature or character throughout, as in colour, composition, etc., without addition or change; of the same kind; unmixed.
A self bow: one made from a single piece of wood
A self flower or plant: one which is wholly of one colour
Self
(obsolete) Same, identical.
Self
(obsolete) Belonging to oneself; own.
Self
Of or relating to any molecule, cell, or tissue of an organism's own (belonging to the self), as opposed to a foreign (nonself) molecule, cell, or tissue (for example, infective, allogenic, or xenogenic).
Self
Same; particular; very; identical.
To shoot another arrow that self wayWhich you did shoot the first.
At that self moment enters Palamon.
Self
Having its own or a single nature or character, as in color, composition, etc., without addition or change; unmixed; as, a self bow, one made from a single piece of wood; self flower or plant, one which is wholly of one color; self-colored.
Self
The individual as the object of his own reflective consciousness; the man viewed by his own cognition as the subject of all his mental phenomena, the agent in his own activities, the subject of his own feelings, and the possessor of capacities and character; a person as a distinct individual; a being regarded as having personality.
A man's self may be the worst fellow to converse with in the world.
The self, the I, is recognized in every act of intelligence as the subject to which that act belongs. It is I that perceive, I that imagine, I that remember, I that attend, I that compare, I that feel, I that will, I that am conscious.
Self
Hence, personal interest, or love of private interest; selfishness; as, self is his whole aim.
Self
Personification; embodiment.
She was beauty's self.
Self
Your consciousness of your own identity
Self
A person considered as a unique individual;
One's own self
Self
Combining form; oneself or itself;
Self-control
Self
Used as a combining form; relating to--of or by or to or from or for--the self;
Self-knowledge
Self-proclaimed
Self-induced
Common Curiosities
How does 'yourself' differ from other reflexive pronouns?
'Yourself' is specific to the second person singular or plural (formal), while other reflexive pronouns (like 'myself', 'himself') refer to different grammatical persons.
Can 'self' be pluralized?
Yes, 'self' can be pluralized to 'selves' when referring to the identities or essences of multiple individuals.
What is the grammatical role of 'yourself' in a sentence?
'Yourself' is used as a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject 'you' in a sentence.
Is it grammatically correct to use 'yourself' to add emphasis in a sentence?
Yes, 'yourself' can be used to add emphasis, as in "You yourself must decide."
What are some common mistakes made with 'yourself'?
A common mistake is using 'yourself' where 'you' should be used, especially in informal contexts where reflexivity is not required.
How is 'self' viewed in different cultural contexts?
The concept of 'self' varies significantly across cultures, often reflecting differing views on individuality and community.
What impact does the use of 'self' have in psychological contexts?
In psychology, 'self' is crucial for discussing self-awareness, self-esteem, and other aspects of personal psychology.
When is it inappropriate to use 'yourself' in a sentence?
It's inappropriate to use 'yourself' when the subject of the sentence is not 'you', or when the action does not reflect back on the subject.
Can 'self' be used in professional contexts?
Yes, terms like 'self-evaluation' and 'self-management' are commonly used in professional settings.
Are there any philosophical debates centered around the concept of 'self'?
Yes, many philosophical debates revolve around the nature of 'self', including its permanence, its construction, and its fundamental essence.
Can 'self' be used interchangeably with 'identity'?
While closely related, 'self' and 'identity' are not always interchangeable as 'identity' may include aspects attributed or perceived by others, whereas 'self' is more intrinsically defined.
Can 'self' be modified by adjectives?
Yes, 'self' is often modified by adjectives, such as in 'true self' or 'better self'.
What are some examples of reflexive pronouns similar to 'yourself'?
Similar reflexive pronouns include 'myself', 'himself', 'herself', 'itself', 'ourselves', 'themselves'.
Is 'yourself' used differently in British and American English?
The usage of 'yourself' is generally consistent between British and American English, though colloquial expressions might vary slightly.
How do self-help books utilize the concept of 'self'?
Self-help books typically focus on personal improvement and often discuss methods to enhance one's 'self' in various aspects.
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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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
