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Definition ourselves in British English

ourselves pronoun

pronoun
/aʊə(r)ˈselvz/

Ourselves is a reflexive pronoun, being the reflexive form of we. It can be used especially in the following ways:

as an object that refers to the same people who are the subject of the sentence or who are mentioned somewhere earlier in the sentence: We all enjoyed ourselves.He asked us some questions about ourselves.

after ‘we’ for emphasis: We ourselves have to make these decisions.

1

used for showing that both you and a group that you are a part of are affected by or involved in an action that you do together

Example

We kept ourselves awake by playing card games.

Example

We will defend ourselves with all our strength.

Example

We are doing this for ourselves and our families.

Synonyms and related words
a man herself himself
2

used for referring to yourself and a group that you are a part of, when you have already been mentioned in the same sentence

Example

The training programme will give us a better understanding of ourselves.

Synonyms and related words
a man herself himself
3

used instead of 'us' when you are trying to be polite. Many people consider this use to be incorrect

Example

One copy of the document should be returned to ourselves.

Synonyms and related words
a man herself himself
4

used for emphasizing that you are referring to yourself and the group that you are a part of, and not to anyone else

Example

Because we ourselves are Italian, we know what Italian cooking should be.

Synonyms and related words
a man herself himself
4.1

used for emphasizing that you and the group that you are a part of do something without help from anyone else

Example

If you won't help us, we'll do it ourselves.

Synonyms and related words
a man herself himself
Definition ourselves in British English