myself

I wash myself in the morning.

Definition

1. Pronoun (Reflexive):
   • Used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject is 'I': "myself" refers to the same person as the subject of the sentence (the speaker or writer).
   • Used for emphasis: It can intensify the subject 'I' to stress that the action is performed personally.

Usage Examples

• Reflexive use:

  • I taught myself to play the piano. (The subject 'I' is both the teacher and the learner.)
  • I looked at myself in the mirror. (The subject sees its own reflection.)

• Emphatic use:

  • I myself saw the accident happen. (I personally witnessed it, not someone else.)
  • I will fix the car myself. (I will do the repair without help.)

• Prepositional use:

  • I bought a gift for myself. (The gift is for the speaker.)
  • I spoke to myself when I was alone. (The speaker talked to their own person.)

Advanced Usage

• "by myself":

  • Alone: without company.

    • I spent the evening by myself. (I was alone.)
  • Without help: unaided.

    • I built the bookshelf by myself. (I did it without assistance.)

• "not myself": feeling unwell or unlike one's usual self.

  • I am not myself today; I feel very tired. (I am not in my normal state of health or mood.)

• "keep to myself": to avoid social interaction or to keep one's thoughts private.

  • I prefer to keep to myself at parties. (I avoid talking to others.)
  • I kept my opinion to myself. (I did not share my thoughts.)

Variants and Related Words

• Self (n): the essential being of a person, distinct from others.

  • She found her true self after years of reflection. (Her genuine identity.)

• Selfish (adj): concerned primarily with one's own interests.

  • He is too selfish to share his toys. (He cares only about himself.)

Synonyms

• I personally: used for emphasis.
  • I personally completed the project. (I did it myself.)
• On my own: without help or company.
  • I managed the task on my own. (By myself.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Help myself (to): to take something without permission or as a gesture.
  • Please help yourself to some cake. (Take what you want.)
• Keep to myself: to avoid sharing or socializing.
  • I keep to myself at work. (I stay private.)

Related Idioms

• All by myself: completely alone or without assistance.
  • I moved the furniture all by myself. (I did it entirely alone.)
• Myself included: including the speaker in a group or statement.
  • Everyone, myself included, enjoyed the party. (I, along with everyone else, had fun.)