themselves

The children built the sandcastle by themselves.

Definition

1. Pronoun (reflexive form of "they"):
   • Used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject is "they" or a group of people/things previously mentioned: "themselves" refers back to the same people or things that are the subject of the clause.
   • Used for emphasis: "themselves" can emphasize that a particular group or individuals, not others, are involved.
   • Used after "by" to mean alone or without help: "by themselves" means without assistance or in solitude.

Usage Examples

• Reflexive use:

  • They taught themselves to play the guitar. (They learned without a teacher.)
  • The children prepared the meal themselves. (They did it without adult help.)

• Emphatic use:

  • The teachers themselves organized the event. (The teachers, not someone else, organized it.)
  • They themselves admitted the mistake. (They personally acknowledged it.)

• With "by":

  • The students completed the project by themselves. (Without assistance from others.)
  • After the party, they sat by themselves in the corner. (Alone, not with others.)

Advanced Usage

• "themselves" in formal or literary contexts:

  • They found themselves in a difficult situation. (They realized they were in a challenging circumstance.)
  • The actors prepared themselves for the performance. (They got ready mentally and physically.)

• "themselves" with reflexive verbs:

  • They enjoyed themselves at the festival. (They had a good time.)
  • The team prided themselves on their hard work. (They felt proud of their effort.)

Variants and Related Words

• Self (n): the essential being of a person or thing.

  • He discovered his true self during the journey.

• Themself (pronoun): a gender-neutral singular reflexive pronoun (less common, used for "they" as a singular).

  • Each student should express themself freely. (Each student should express their own opinion.)

Synonyms

• Themselves (no direct synonyms as a reflexive pronoun, but similar in meaning):
  • In person: used for emphasis (e.g., They came in person.)
  • On their own: alone or independently (e.g., They did it on their own.)

Related Idioms

• By themselves: without help or company.

  • The children are old enough to go to school by themselves. (Without an adult accompanying them.)

• In themselves: considered apart from other things.

  • The facts are not important in themselves, but they reveal a pattern. (The facts alone are not significant.)

• Themselves and nobody else: used for strong emphasis.

  • They themselves and nobody else are responsible for the error. (Only they are to blame.)