Exploring the Distinction Between 'Ourself' and 'Ourselves'

The terms 'ourself' and 'ourselves' often confuse writers and speakers alike. Both are reflexive pronouns, but their usage differs based on the number of people involved. Understanding the correct application of each can significantly enhance your communication skills and overall linguistic precision.

The Basics of Reflexive Pronouns

A reflexive pronoun is a word that refers back to the subject of the sentence. Modern English primarily uses ourselves as the reflexive form when addressing a group that includes the speaker. For instance:

Example: We bought ourselves ice cream.

However, ourself is an older or more archaic form, commonly found in specific contexts such as certain dialects or in literary works. It is also occasionally used for emphasis. Here are a couple of examples:

Example: I made a fool of ourself in the debate.

Example: The child played with ourself for hours.

The Correct Usage of 'Ourselves'

Ourselves is the reflexive pronoun used when referring to a group that includes the speaker. It is inevitably plural in nature and used whether the subject is feminine, masculine, or neutral. For example:

Example: Please help yourselves.

Notice how the sentence above would be awkward if written with 'ourselves':

Incorrect: Please help ourselves.

Understanding 'Ourself'

Ourself, on the other hand, is a singular reflexive pronoun used when referring to a single person. It is becoming less common in modern English, as ourselves is more widely used. Some view ourself as more emphatic, similar to how using myself can convey a stronger sense of personal accountability. For instance:

Example: The accident was our own. I can take ourself to task for not paying more attention.

Example: He fixed it himself; it was no 'ourself'.

In these examples, using 'ourself' highlights the personal involvement of the speaker or subject.

Reflexive Pronoun Chart for Clarification

To further clarify, here is a chart showing reflexive pronouns:

Subject Pronoun Possessive Pronoun Reflexive Pronoun I My Myself You (singular) Your Yourself You (plural) Your Yourself (Ourselves) He/She/It His/Her/Its Himself/Herself/Itself We Our Ourselves They Their Themselves

Philosophical and Practical Implications

The term ourself has a more philosophical underpinning, as it directly relates to the concept of the self—essentially, what makes one 'us'. For instance, when someone says, 'I lost myself', it is more about losing a part of one's identity. Conversely, 'I lost ourselves' implies a more communal or group-oriented situation.

However, in everyday conversation, the distinction between ourself and ourselves is often subtle and can be overlooked without significantly impacting clarity. The choice often depends on personal preference or the context in which the sentence is used.

In Conclusion

Understanding the differences between 'ourself' and 'ourselves' can greatly enhance your writing and speaking skills. Both words serve to emphasize actions or states that involve oneself, but their correct usage depends on whether you are referring to a single person or a group, including the speaker or writer.

Always remember to follow the guidelines provided in a standardized form of English, such as the one laid out in this article. Your clarity and precision in communication will improve, and as a result, so will your effectiveness as a communicator.