yourself

yourself

You must wash yourself before dinner.

Definition
  1. Reflexive Pronoun:
    • Used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject is "you" and the action affects the same person: "yourself" refers back to the person or people being addressed.
    • Emphatic use: Used to emphasize the person being addressed, often meaning "you and no one else" or "you personally."
Usage Examples

  • Reflexive:

    • You should take care of yourself. (The action of taking care affects the same person who is doing it.)
    • Be careful not to hurt yourself. (Avoid causing injury to your own person.)

  • Emphatic:

    • You yourself said that you would help. (You personally, not someone else, made that statement.)
    • Did you build that yourself? (Did you do the building without assistance from others?)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be yourself": to act in a natural, genuine manner without pretense.

    • Don't try to impress anyone — just be yourself. (Act authentically, as you normally are.)

  • "not yourself": to feel unwell or out of character.

    • You seem quiet today; are you not feeling yourself? (Are you feeling ill or emotionally off?)

  • "help yourself": to serve oneself without waiting for assistance.

    • The food is on the table; please help yourself. (Take what you want without being offered.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Yourselves (reflexive pronoun, plural): the plural form of "yourself," used when addressing more than one person.
    • You should all take care of yourselves during the trip. (Each person in the group should care for their own well-being.)
Synonyms
  • Oneself: a formal or impersonal equivalent (e.g., "One should take care of oneself").
  • Thyself: archaic or poetic form (e.g., "Know thyself").
Related Idioms

  • By yourself: alone; without company or assistance.

    • Can you finish the project by yourself? (Without help from others.)
    • She sat by herself in the corner. (Alone, without other people.)

  • Keep it to yourself: to keep something secret.

    • This is confidential, so please keep it to yourself. (Do not share the information with others.)

  • Do it yourself: to perform a task without professional help.

    • I fixed the leaky faucet myself — it was a do-it-yourself project. (I completed the repair without hiring a plumber.)