When learning English, even skilled writers pause at ourselves and ourself, especially in writing blogs, academic papers, or business content. Understanding Ourselves vs Ourself helps with distinction, rules, and grammar, making sentences clear and avoiding confusion in form or usage.
Language is alive; it evolves, adapts, and traces history in words. The story of ourselves versus ourself is fascinating, full of quirks, subtle nuances, and similar forms. In modern English, writers need mastery of differences to understand meaning, shapes, and practical examples in sentence structures, whether casual or formal.
Using ourselves and ourself correctly means knowing roles, expression, and spelling, while handling the language confidently. From myself to herself, yourself to themselves, the family of reflexive pronouns works similarly, but singular or plural, formal or casual contexts determine the right choice. Following guides and tips helps polish grammar, correct, and nuanced writing that readers respect.
Understanding Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns are words like myself, yourself, himself, herself, themselves, and of course, ourselves. They’re called “reflexive” because the action of the verb reflects back on the subject.
For example:
- “We taught ourselves how to cook.”
Here, ourselves reflects the action back onto the subject we.
Reflexive pronouns are essential in English grammar. Misusing them can confuse readers or make sentences sound awkward. That’s why understanding the subtle difference between ourselves and ourself matters.
Definition of “Ourselves” and “Ourself”
Ourselves
- Plural reflexive pronoun
- Refers to more than one person acting on themselves
- Standard in modern English
- Examples:
- “We made ourselves comfortable in the new office.”
- “They reminded themselves to check the schedule, but we helped ourselves first.”
Ourself
- Singular reflexive pronoun (rare today)
- Historically used with the royal or editorial “we”
- Modern English rarely uses it outside formal or ceremonial contexts
- Examples:
- “The Queen reminded ourself of the importance of duty.”
- “In this editorial, ourself takes full responsibility for the content.”
Understanding these definitions is the first step to mastering Ourselves vs Ourself.
The Core Difference Between “Ourselves” and “Ourself”
The main difference is simple:
- Ourselves is plural and used in everyday English.
- Ourself is singular and mostly historical, ceremonial, or formal.
Some writers mistakenly think they are interchangeable. They are not. Using ourself in casual writing sounds odd today, while using ourselves is almost always safe.
Think of it this way: if you are talking about a group, always use “ourselves.” If you’re writing in a formal or royal context referring to a singular entity, ourself might be correct.
Comparison Table: “Ourselves” vs “Ourself”
| Feature | Ourselves | Ourself |
| Number | Plural | Singular (rare) |
| Context | Everyday writing, speech | Royal, editorial, historical |
| Modern Usage | Very common | Extremely rare |
| Examples | “We taught ourselves to cook.” | “The committee reminds ourself of its duty.” |
| Acceptability | Standard | Context-dependent |
This table makes it easy to see why ourselves dominate modern usage.
Historical Evolution
Old English Roots
In Old English, reflexive pronouns often had singular and plural forms that don’t exist today. Ourself comes from a time when formal and singular “we” was more common in writing and speech.
The Singular Reflexive “Ourself”
During the 16th and 17th centuries, writers often used ourself when referring to a singular “we.” Think of monarchs, church leaders, and official statements.
Modern Decline
Today, ourself has mostly disappeared from everyday writing. You’ll find it in legal texts, formal editorials, or ceremonial speeches—but rare anywhere else. Meanwhile, ourselves remains standard in modern English.
Special Contexts for “Ourself”
The Royal “We”
Monarchs sometimes use “we” to refer to themselves singularly. This is called the majestic plural. For example:
- “We do hereby declare that ourself shall oversee the matter personally.”
Here, ourself matches the singular entity behind the plural pronoun.
Editorial and Institutional Writing
Some newspapers and organizations use “we” to represent the institution. Occasionally, ourself appears in this context:
- “In preparing this report, ourself took care to verify all data sources.”
Even though it sounds formal, it’s a legitimate, though rare, usage in official writing.
Modern English Usage Rules
In most situations today:
- Use ourselves whenever the pronoun refers to a group of people including the speaker.
- Avoid ourself unless writing in royal, editorial, or ceremonial contexts.
Practical Examples
Correct:
- “We trained ourselves for the marathon.”
- “The team congratulated ourselves on a job well done.”
Rare but correct:
- “In this editorial, ourself assures the reader that facts were verified.”
Grammar Tip
When in doubt, choose ourselves. It’s almost always correct in modern English.
Common Misconceptions
Myth 1: “Ourself” is always wrong
False. It’s only incorrect in modern everyday usage. Historical, ceremonial, or editorial use is valid.
Myth 2: “Ourselves” can be singular
Incorrect. “Ourselves” always refers to a plural subject.
Myth 3: They’re interchangeable
Not true. Using them interchangeably can confuse readers or sound archaic.
Myth 4: “Ourself” is Old English only
Partially true. It’s historical but survives in rare formal, royal, or editorial contexts.
Literary and Real-World Examples
In Literature
- Shakespeare occasionally used ourself in a royal context: “We do commend ourself to the audience’s grace.”
- Modern novels almost always use ourselves.
In Media and Speech
- Newspapers sometimes use “we” editorially: “Ourself has checked the numbers for accuracy.”
- Public speeches of monarchs still use ourself ceremonially.
Quick Grammar Tips
- Plural? Use “ourselves.”
- Singular royal/editorial “we”? Consider “ourself.”
- Default to “ourselves”—you’ll rarely go wrong.
- Use the mnemonic:
- Ourselves = Us + selves (plural)
- Ourself = Our singular self (formal/rare)
Case Study: Real-World Application
Imagine a corporate team sending an internal memo:
- Incorrect: “We reminded ourself to submit reports.”
- Correct: “We reminded ourselves to submit reports.”
Using the wrong reflexive pronoun can make the message sound unprofessional. Small mistakes like this affect clarity and credibility.
Self-Assessment Quiz
Fill in the blanks:
- We taught ______ to solve the problem.
- The Queen reminds ______ of her duties.
- The committee congratulated ______ on the achievement.
Answers:
- ourselves
- ourself
- ourselves
Conclusion
Mastering Ourselves vs Ourself is easier than it seems. Remember, ourselves is your safe, everyday choice for plural subjects, while ourself appears rarely in royal, editorial, or formal singular contexts. By understanding their distinctions, practicing examples, and following grammar rules, you can write confidently and clearly. Paying attention to context, number, and proper usage ensures your writing sounds natural and professional every time.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between ourselves vs ourself?
Ourselves is used for plural subjects acting on themselves, while ourself is singular and mostly appears in royal or formal editorial contexts.
Q2. Can I use ourself in modern writing?
Yes, but very rarely. Ourself is mostly reserved for ceremonial, formal, or editorial use; in everyday writing, ourselves is preferred.
Q3. Is ourselves ever used for a singular subject?
No. Ourselves always refers to a plural subject. Using it for a singular subject is considered incorrect in standard English.
Q4. Why do monarchs use ourself?
Monarchs use the royal “we”, and ourself reflects the singular entity behind the plural pronoun. It’s a formal, ceremonial usage.
Q5. Are ourselves and ourself interchangeable?
No. Using them interchangeably can confuse readers. Ourselves is plural, and ourself is singular, so context matters.
Q6. How can I remember when to use ourselves vs ourself?
A simple trick: plural or multiple people → ourselves; singular formal or ceremonial “we” → ourself. Always check the context.
