Are you unsure whether to write “ourselves” or “ourself”? Both words exist in English, but they have different uses.
Ourselves is the standard reflexive pronoun used when “we” refers to multiple people. Ourself is much less common and can be used when one person refers to themselves as “we,” especially in traditional royal or formal language.
Understanding the difference will help you choose the right word in everyday conversations, professional writing, and formal texts.
Understanding Reflexive Pronouns
A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of a sentence. It is used when the person or people performing an action are also affected by that action.
Common reflexive pronouns include:
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun |
| I | Myself |
| You | Yourself |
| He | Himself |
| She | Herself |
| It | Itself |
| We | Ourselves |
| They | Themselves |
Examples:
- I taught myself to cook.
- She prepared herself for the interview.
- We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
- They introduced themselves to the teacher.
The main rule is to match the reflexive pronoun to the subject and its intended meaning.
The Basic Distinction Between “Ourselves” and “Ourself”
The difference depends on what “we” refers to and the context in which the word is used.
- Ourselves: The standard reflexive pronoun when “we” refers to two or more people.
- Ourself: A rare form sometimes used when one person refers to themselves as “we,” particularly in royal or traditional formal language.
In everyday English, ourselves is almost always the correct choice when talking about a group.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Ourselves | Ourself |
| Usage | Standard modern English | Rare and specialized |
| Meaning | Refers back to a plural “we” | Can refer back to a singular person using “we” |
| Common context | Everyday speech and writing | Royal, historical, or certain formal contexts |
| Example | We prepared ourselves. | We shall hold ourself accountable. |
Quick answer: Use ourselves when “we” refers to multiple people. Ourself may be appropriate when one person uses “we” to refer to themselves in a traditional royal or formal style.
Historical Context and the “Royal We”
The royal “we” is a traditional expression in which a monarch refers to themselves as “we” instead of “I.” It can represent the authority or position of the speaker.
When “we” refers to one person in this way, ourself may be used as the corresponding reflexive pronoun.
For example:
“We shall hold ourself responsible for this decision.”
This is an illustrative example of the construction, not a historical quotation.
The royal “we” is uncommon in everyday English today. Also, not every formal speaker uses this style, so ourself should not be used simply because a sentence sounds official.
The Editorial “We”
Writers and editors sometimes use “we” to express an author’s viewpoint or present an argument. This is often called the editorial “we.”
For example:
“We believe our readers deserve a clear explanation.”
When “we” refers to multiple writers or people, ourselves is the standard reflexive form. When a single writer deliberately adopts a singular “we,” ourself may occur in specialized usage, but it is not the usual choice in modern editorial writing.
Usage in Literature and Historical Texts
Older English texts sometimes contain expressions that sound unusual today. Ourself may appear in historical documents, royal statements, and literary works where a single speaker uses “we.”
When reading these examples, consider the period, the speaker, and the intended meaning.
For example:
- Royal-style example: “We shall defend ourself.”
- Modern plural example: “We shall defend ourselves.”
The first illustrates a specialized singular use of “we.” The second is the standard form when several people are speaking.
Modern vs. Historical Comparison Table
| Context | Example | Preferred Form |
| Everyday conversation | We prepared ourselves for the trip. | Ourselves |
| Workplace communication | We reminded ourselves of the deadline. | Ourselves |
| Traditional royal style | We shall hold ourself accountable. | Ourself may be appropriate |
| Modern group statement | We must protect ourselves. | Ourselves |
Historical examples can help explain the use of ourself, but they do not make the two words interchangeable in modern English.
Correct Usage of “Ourselves” in Modern English
Ourselves is the natural and standard choice when “we” refers to two or more people. It is commonly used in conversations, emails, reports, academic writing, and professional communication.
Key Rules for Using Ourselves
1. Use it when an action refers back to a group.
- We prepared ourselves for the exam.
- We taught ourselves a new skill.
2. Use it for emphasis.
- We completed the project ourselves.
- We decorated the room ourselves.
In these examples, ourselves emphasizes that the group did the work without outside help.
3. Use it with compound subjects.
- My brother and I introduced ourselves.
- My friends and I enjoyed ourselves at the concert.
4. Do not use it with a singular subject such as “I.”
- Incorrect: I taught ourselves to swim.
- Correct: I taught myself to swim.
The reflexive pronoun must match the subject.
Common Mistakes Table
| Incorrect | Correct | Reason |
| We congratulated ourself. | We congratulated ourselves. | “We” refers to multiple people. |
| I taught ourselves. | I taught myself. | “I” requires myself. |
| My friend and I prepared ourself. | My friend and I prepared ourselves. | The subject includes two people. |
| The committee blamed ourself. | The committee blamed itself. | The committee is treated as one unit. |
These examples cover many common mistakes in everyday English.
Special Contexts Where “Ourself” Makes Sense
Ourself is a recognized but uncommon form. It may be appropriate when one person refers to themselves as “we,” particularly in traditional royal language.
For example:
“We shall hold ourself accountable for the outcome.”
This sentence illustrates a singular speaker using the royal “we.”
However, ourself is not the standard reflexive pronoun for a team, company, committee, or other group simply because the group is treated as one unit.
Compare these sentences:
- The committee held itself responsible.
- We held ourselves responsible.
The first uses itself because committee is treated as a singular unit. The second uses ourselves because “we” refers to a group.
Examples of “Ourself” in Specialized Usage
Ourself may appear in traditional royal or ceremonial language when a single speaker deliberately uses “we.”
- “We shall hold ourself accountable for this decision.”
- “We must remind ourself of the duties of this office.”
These are illustrative examples, not quotations from actual historical figures. In ordinary writing, use ourselves when referring to multiple people.
Common Misconceptions and Grammar Myths
Several misunderstandings make the difference between ourselves and ourself more confusing than it needs to be.
Myth 1: “Ourself” is always wrong.
Not entirely. It has a limited use when one person refers to themselves as “we,” especially in traditional royal language.
Myth 2: “Ourselves” can replace “myself.”
No. When the subject is “I,” use myself.
Myth 3: The two words are interchangeable.
No. Ourselves is the standard form for a plural “we,” while ourself has a rare, specialized use.
Myth 4: Collective nouns always take “ourself.”
Incorrect. A collective noun such as committee may take itself when treated as one unit. When a group uses “we,” ourselves is normally correct.
Test Your Understanding
Which sentence is correct when “we” refers to a group of people?
- We prepared ourself for the journey.
- We prepared ourselves for the journey.
Correct answer: We prepared ourselves for the journey.
Practical Tips for Correct Pronoun Usage
Follow these simple tips to choose the right word:
- Identify the subject before choosing a reflexive pronoun.
- Use ourselves when “we” refers to multiple people.
- Reserve ourself for specialized contexts in which one person deliberately uses “we” to refer to themselves.
- Do not assume that collective nouns require ourself.
- In everyday writing, choose the standard form unless a particular historical or formal style calls for something different.
Mnemonic Trick
Remember this simple rule:
- Ourselves = Our group.
- Ourself = One person using “we” in a specialized style.
When in doubt, ourselves is the safest choice when referring to a group.
Conclusion
The difference between ourselves and ourself depends on what “we” means. Ourselves is the standard reflexive pronoun when “we” refers to multiple people. Ourself is rare and may appear when one person uses “we” in a traditional royal or specialized formal style. Remember that collective nouns do not automatically require ourself.
For everyday conversations, emails, and professional writing, use ourselves when referring to a group. By following this simple rule, you can avoid common grammar mistakes and write with greater confidence.
FAQs
What is the difference between “ourselves” and “ourself”?
Ourselves is the standard reflexive pronoun for multiple people. Ourself is rare and may be used when one person refers to themselves as “we.”
When should I use “ourselves”?
Use ourselves when “we” refers to two or more people, as in “We prepared ourselves for the meeting.”
Is “ourself” grammatically correct?
Yes, in limited contexts, especially traditional royal language in which one person uses “we” to refer to themselves. It is uncommon in modern English.
Can I use “ourselves” for singular subjects?
Usually, no. Use myself with “I” and yourself with singular “you.” Ourself may be appropriate when one person uses the singular royal “we.”
Why do monarchs and editors use “ourself”?
Monarchs may use ourself when referring to themselves as “we.” Editors often use “we” as a writing convention, but when speaking for a group, themselves or ourselves should follow the intended subject.
