Ourselves or Ourselfs: A Guide to Proper Usage
When it comes to using ourselves or ourselfs, many people are left scratching their heads. The confusion lies in whether or not to use the plural form of the word or the singular form. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at when to use ourselves or ourselfs and provide some tips to ensure you’re using the correct form.
Ourselfs: A Common Mistake
The first thing you need to know is that the correct form of the word is ourselves. Ourselfs is not a word and is, therefore, incorrect. If you’ve been using ourselfs, don’t worry, it’s a common mistake. The error generally occurs because of the use of the word self, which is often used in the singular form, as in myself or oneself. However, in the case of ourselves, self is used in the plural form.
When to Use Ourselves
In general, ourselves is used as a reflexive pronoun or an emphatic pronoun. A reflexive pronoun is used when the subject of the sentence and the object of the sentence are the same. For example, “We taught ourselves how to cook.” In this case, the subject (we) is also the object (ourselves).
An emphatic pronoun is used for emphasis to stress the importance of a certain subject or idea. For example, “We will be doing the work ourselves.” In this case, the emphasis is on the fact that we will be doing the work and that no one else will be doing it for us.
Examples of Ourselves in Action
Here are some more examples of how to use ourselves correctly:
– We enjoy spending time by ourselves.
– We went to the movies by ourselves.
– We decided to take on the project ourselves.
– We can’t rely on others to do the work for us, so we will do it ourselves.
Tips for Using Ourselves Correctly
To ensure you’re using ourselves correctly, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Use it as a reflexive or emphatic pronoun.
As mentioned earlier, the correct use of ourselves is either as a reflexive pronoun or an emphatic pronoun. Be sure to use it in this way to avoid any confusion.
2. Use it to indicate that someone is doing something independently.
The use of ourselves indicates that someone is doing something independently or without help from others. Make sure to use it in this way to avoid any misinterpretation.
3. Don’t use it to describe the actions of others.
Avoid using ourselves to describe the actions of others. For example, “They taught ourselves how to cook” is incorrect. Instead, use “They taught us how to cook.”
Keywords to Promote SEO
To optimize this article for SEO, here are some keywords you can use throughout the text:
– Ourselves
– Reflexive pronoun
– Emphatic pronoun
– Ourselfs (to clarify the mistake)
– Independent work
– Plural form
– Singular form
– Usage
Final Thoughts
Using ourselves correctly can be confusing, but with these tips, you can ensure you’re using the correct form. Remember, the correct form is ourselves, not ourselfs. Use it as a reflexive or emphatic pronoun to avoid any misinterpretations. By following these tips and adding the relevant keywords, you can optimize your article for SEO and provide valuable information to your readers.