Word
ourselves
Phoneticsour·selves
US/aʊɝˈsɛɫvz/
UK/aʊəsˈɛlvz/
Definitions
01reflexive use
A2 · Elementary
pron. you use this when 'we' are the ones doing the action and also the ones receiving it.
pron. the reflexive form of 'we', used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject and object refer to the same group of people.
“We looked at ourselves in the mirror before leaving the house.”
“We found ourselves in a difficult position after the funding was suddenly withdrawn, forcing us to reconsider our entire strategy.”
02for emphasis
B1 · Intermediate
pron. you use this to emphasize that 'we' did something alone, without help from anyone else.
pron. an intensive pronoun used to emphasize the subject 'we', often to indicate that the group acted independently or without external assistance.
“We painted the whole kitchen ourselves over the weekend.”
“While the consultants provided the data, we ourselves had to make the final decision regarding the merger.”
Synonyms
Usage
Used as a reflexive object when the subject is 'we'; can also be used for emphasis immediately after the subject or at the end of the clause.
Pitfall
We did it by us.
We did it by ourselves.
When the subject and object are the same, the reflexive form 'ourselves' must be used instead of the object pronoun 'us'.
Etymology
Morphologically our + -selves.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-2
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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