English grammar has several words that look almost identical but serve different purposes in a sentence. Ourselves or Ourself is a good example. Both forms exist, yet choosing between them requires understanding what the pronoun we represents. One is the standard reflexive pronoun used for groups, while the other has a rare singular use in traditional and specialized language.
Although the difference may seem minor, using the appropriate form makes your writing clearer and more natural. Whether you are preparing a school assignment, writing a professional email, or improving your everyday English, understanding this distinction will help you avoid an unnecessary grammar mistake.
The Difference at a Glance
Before exploring the rules, take a look at how these two forms differ in meaning and usage.
| Feature | Ourselves | Ourself |
| Grammatical use | Standard plural reflexive pronoun | Rare singular reflexive pronoun |
| Reference | Two or more people | One person using we |
| Commonness | Very common | Extremely uncommon |
| Typical context | Everyday speech and writing | Royal, historical, or specialized language |
| Example | We introduced ourselves. | We shall hold ourself accountable. |
| Modern usage | Standard American English | Limited and context-dependent |
The main distinction concerns the number of people represented by we. When the subject refers to a group, ourselves is the established choice. When one individual uses we to refer to themselves, ourself may be used in a special construction.
For most everyday writing, you will need the plural form.
Understanding Ourselves Or Ourself
The easiest way to understand this difference is to look beyond the spelling and consider the meaning of the subject.
In ordinary English, we usually refer to the speaker and at least one other person. For example, when two friends say, “We enjoyed ourselves at the concert,” they are talking about a shared experience.
However, English also has a traditional construction known as the royal we. In this usage, one individual speaks using we instead of I. A monarch might use this form when making an official statement. Because the speaker represents one person, the rare singular reflexive pronoun ourselves can appear.
This distinction explains why the two words are not interchangeable, even though both are connected to the pronoun we.
What Does Ourselves Mean?
Ourselves is the standard plural reflexive pronoun associated with we. It refers to the speaker and one or more other people when they perform an action that relates to themselves.
It can also function as an intensive pronoun, adding emphasis to the people acting.
You will encounter this word in conversations, school assignments, business communication, books, and everyday writing. It is especially useful when you want to avoid repeating names or make it clear that a group is responsible for its own actions.
How Ourselves Works in a Sentence
Consider this example:
“We prepared ourselves for the important meeting.”
Here, the subject we represents multiple people. The same people who prepared are also the ones receiving the action. The reflexive pronoun connects the action to its subject.
Now consider another example:
“We completed the entire assignment ourselves.”
In this sentence, ourselves emphasizes that the group completed the assignment without outside assistance.
Although the grammatical roles are slightly different, both sentences use the same standard plural form.
Different Ways to Use Ourselves
There are two particularly important ways to use this pronoun.
1. As a reflexive pronoun
A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of a sentence. The subject and the person or people receiving the action are the same.
Examples:
- We taught ourselves how to prepare healthy meals.
- We reminded ourselves to bring the necessary documents.
- After getting lost, we found ourselves near the city center.
- We should give ourselves another opportunity to improve.
- The children accidentally hurt themselves while playing.
In each example, the pronoun connects the action to the people represented by the subject.
2. As an intensive pronoun
An intensive pronoun emphasizes the subject without changing the basic meaning of the sentence.
Examples:
- We ourselves organized the entire celebration.
- We ourselves witnessed what happened that afternoon.
- We ourselves made the final decision.
- We ourselves believe that the project deserves another chance.
Notice that removing ourselves does not make these sentences grammatically incomplete. The word simply adds emphasis.
This is an important distinction because reflexive and intensive pronouns look identical but perform different functions.
15 Examples of Ourselves in Sentences
The following examples demonstrate how naturally this word appears in different situations.
- We encouraged ourselves to remain positive during the difficult experience.
- My colleagues and I introduced ourselves to the new department manager.
- We prepared ourselves for the unexpected changes ahead.
- After several attempts, we finally taught ourselves to play the guitar.
- We promised ourselves that we would never give up on our goals.
- During the vacation, we found ourselves exploring unfamiliar neighborhoods.
- We should remind ourselves that progress takes time.
- The students organized the classroom activities themselves.
- We challenged ourselves to complete the project before Friday.
- We enjoyed ourselves while celebrating our friend’s birthday.
- My family and I prepared ourselves for the long journey.
- We need to protect ourselves from unnecessary distractions.
- We discovered ourselves becoming more confident with every experience.
- We made ourselves comfortable before the presentation began.
- We ourselves decided to support the community project.
These examples cover personal experiences, group responsibilities, education, travel, and professional situations. They also show why this form is so useful in modern English.
What Does Ourself Mean?
Ourself is a real but uncommon English reflexive pronoun. It is traditionally used when a single individual refers to themselves using we rather than I.
This construction is particularly associated with the royal we, a historical practice in which monarchs speak in the plural while representing their individual authority.
For example:
“We shall hold ourself responsible for this decision.”
The speaker is one person, even though the subject uses we. The word ourself reflects that special singular reference.
However, this construction is not part of ordinary everyday American conversation. Most people would use I and myself when referring to themselves individually.
It is also important not to assume that every sentence containing we can take ourself. The intended meaning and grammatical context must support the singular use.
Understanding the Royal We
The royal we is a traditional linguistic construction in which one person uses we instead of I. Historically, it has been associated with monarchs and sovereigns speaking in an official capacity.
The expression can also appear in certain historical or ceremonial contexts.
For example:
“We have considered the matter and shall hold ourself accountable.”
In this construction, the speaker is one individual. The plural wording represents their official position rather than a group of people.
This explains why ourself may appear in historical writing even though it would sound unusual in a modern conversation.
Is Ourself Used in Modern English?
Yes, but its use is limited.
Most modern American writers do not need this form in ordinary communication. They generally use myself when referring to one person and ourselves when referring to a group.
You may encounter ourself in historical documents, traditional royal statements, or specialized language that deliberately uses singular we.
Some speakers may also use it in particular dialectal or individual language patterns. Such usage should be considered in context rather than automatically treated as standard formal American English.
The important point is that ourself is not simply an alternative spelling of ourselves.
Examples of Ourself in Sentences
Here are some examples illustrating the rare singular construction:
- We shall hold ourself responsible for the final decision. (A traditional singular royal-style construction.)
- We must remind ourself of the duties associated with this position. (One individual uses we to represent themselves.)
- We have committed ourselves to fulfilling this responsibility. (A specialized singular construction.)
- We shall judge ourselves by the principles we have established. (A formal, individual use of we.)
These sentences are intentionally formal. They demonstrate a specialized grammatical pattern rather than language that most Americans would naturally use in everyday conversation.
When Should You Use Ourselves?
In ordinary American English, this is the form you should choose whenever we represents multiple people.
Understanding a few common situations makes the rule easier to apply.
When a Group Performs an Action on Itself
Use ourselves when the people acting are also affected by it.
Example: “We prepared ourselves for the challenging examination.”
The group is responsible for its own preparation, so the plural reflexive pronoun is appropriate.
When Emphasizing Personal Involvement
Sometimes you want to show that your group completed something without depending on other people.
Example: “We designed the entire website ourselves.”
Here, ourselves emphasizes the group’s direct involvement.
When Describing Shared Feelings or Experiences
The pronoun also works when multiple people share an emotional experience.
Example: “We found ourselves feeling excited about the upcoming trip.”
The word connects the experience to everyone included in the subject.
When Discussing Independent Decisions
Use ourselves when a group makes its own choices or takes responsibility for an outcome.
Example: “We reminded ourselves to consider every available option before making a decision.”
This construction is common in professional, educational, and personal writing.
When Referring to a Group Without Outside Assistance
Example: “We managed the entire event by ourselves.”
The phrase emphasizes that the group handled the responsibility independently.
In all these situations, the subject represents more than one person, making ourselves the natural grammatical choice.
When Is Ourself Appropriate?
Although this word is uncommon, understanding where it belongs helps you recognize it when reading older or specialized English.
Royal or Traditional Statements
A monarch or another individual using the royal we may use ourself when referring to their own singular identity.
Example: “We shall hold ourself accountable for this responsibility.”
The construction reflects the speaker’s individual reference.
Historical and Ceremonial Language
Older documents and formal statements may preserve linguistic constructions that are rarely used today.
In such material, ourself can appear because the writer is following a traditional convention rather than ordinary modern usage.
Specialized Individual Reference
Some writers or speakers may deliberately use we as an individual form of expression. In a construction that treats this reference as singular, ourself may occur.
However, this should not be confused with the normal use of we to represent a group.
For contemporary American writing, it is generally better to choose a more familiar construction unless the specialized style is intentional.
Ourselves vs. Ourself: Common Grammar Mistakes
Recognizing the difference is useful, but knowing which mistakes to avoid makes your writing even more accurate.
Using Ourself When Referring to a Group
Incorrect: “We should prepare ourself for the interview.”
Correct: “We should prepare ourselves for the interview.”
The subject refers to multiple people. Therefore, the standard plural reflexive pronoun is required.
Assuming Ourself Is Always Incorrect
Incorrect assumption: “Ourself is not a real English word.”
Correct understanding: Ourself is a recognized but rare singular form associated with an individual who uses we.
It is not appropriate for ordinary group references, but its specialized use should not be dismissed as nonexistent.
Confusing Ourselves With Us
Incorrect: “The manager explained the instructions to ourselves.”
Correct: “The manager explained the instructions to us.”
Us is the appropriate object pronoun in this sentence because it does not refer back to a subject represented by we.
Compare that with:
“We explained the instructions to ourselves.”
Here, ourselves is correct because the subject and the recipients are the same people.
Replacing Myself With Ourselves in Ordinary Sentences
Incorrect: “I reminded ourself to finish the assignment.”
Correct: “I reminded myself to finish the assignment.”
When the subject is I, the standard reflexive pronoun is myself. Ourself is not a general replacement for it.
Adding an Unnecessary Reflexive Pronoun
Incorrect: “We discussed the proposal among ourselves together.”
Better: “We discussed the proposal among ourselves.”
The phrase already communicates that the discussion involved the group. Adding together is unnecessary in this context.
Using an Incorrect Plural Form
Incorrect: “We completed the work by ourselfs.”
Correct: “We completed the work by ourselves.”
The standard spelling is ourselves. It is not written as ourselfs.
How Ourselves Relates to Other Reflexive Pronouns
Understanding the wider reflexive pronoun system can make the distinction easier to remember.
English uses different forms depending on the subject and whether it represents one person or multiple people.
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun | Example |
| I | Myself | I taught myself. |
| You (singular) | Yourself | You introduced yourself. |
| He | Himself | He prepared himself. |
| She | Herself | She reminded herself. |
| It | Itself | The door closed itself. |
| We | Ourselves | We organized ourselves. |
| You (plural) | Yourselves | You introduced yourselves. |
| They | Themselves | They helped themselves. |
This pattern shows why ourselves is the established plural form for we.
The unusual ourself construction belongs to a special historical and grammatical context. It does not replace the ordinary reflexive pronoun pattern.
Is Ourselves Singular or Plural?
Ourselves is plural. It refers to the speaker and at least one other person.
For example:
“We enjoyed ourselves at the family reunion.”
The subject includes multiple people, and the reflexive pronoun refers back to that same group.
Ourself, on the other hand, can function as a singular reflexive pronoun when one individual uses we to refer to themselves.
This difference is especially important because the pronoun we does not always reveal the exact number of people involved. Usually, it represents a group, but specialized constructions can give it an individual reference.
Therefore, you should consider the intended meaning rather than relying on the subject’s spelling alone.
A Simple Trick to Remember the Correct Form
If you regularly confuse these two words, use a quick subject check before completing your sentence.
Ask yourself: Does we represent several people or one individual?
- Several people: Use ourselves.
- One individual using the royal we: Ourselves may be appropriate.
- One individual speaking normally with I: Use myself.
Try these examples:
Example One: “We treated ourselves to dinner after the meeting.”
Several colleagues are enjoying a meal together. Ourselves is correct.
Example Two: “We shall hold ourself accountable.”
One individual is speaking in a traditional royal-style construction. Ourself is appropriate in this specialized context.
Example Three: “I promised myself that I would improve.”
The subject is I, so myself is correct.
This simple method helps you select the appropriate pronoun without memorizing complicated grammatical definitions.
Conclusion
Choosing between Ourselves Or Ourself comes down to understanding who the pronoun represents. Ourselves is the correct and widely accepted choice when we refer to two or more people. It works naturally in everyday conversations, professional writing, academic assignments, and formal communication. Ourself, on the other hand, has a much more limited use and traditionally appears when a single person uses we in a royal, historical, or specialized context.
For everyday American English, ourselves is the form you should remember and use. Before choosing either word, consider whether we represents a group or a single individual using a special form of expression. Once you understand this distinction, the confusion disappears. Whether you are writing an email, completing an assignment, or polishing an important document, choosing the appropriate pronoun will help your sentences sound natural, accurate, and confident.
Final Verdict
Ourselves is the correct and natural choice for almost all everyday American English situations involving the subject we. Use it when you and other people perform an action on yourselves or when you want to emphasize your group’s involvement.
Ourself is not completely incorrect, but it belongs to rare singular constructions, particularly the traditional royal we. Unless you are deliberately writing in that specialized style, you generally do not need it.
The easiest rule to remember is simple: groups use ourselves, while the rare singular royal-style construction may use ourself.
FAQs
Is Ourselves or Ourself correct?
Both forms exist, but they have different grammatical uses. Ourselves is the standard plural reflexive pronoun for we, while ourself is a rare singular form associated with an individual using the royal or formal we. In ordinary American English, ourselves is almost always the appropriate choice when referring to a group.
Why is Ourselves more common than Ourself?
Ourselves is widely used because people generally use we to refer to themselves and at least one other person. It appears naturally in everyday conversations, education, and professional writing. Ourself has a specialized role in traditional singular constructions, making it considerably less common in modern English.
Can I use Ourself in everyday writing?
Generally, no. When writing about yourself and other people, use ourselves. Ourself may be appropriate when one individual deliberately uses we in a traditional or specialized construction. For ordinary emails, assignments, articles, and conversations, it is better to follow standard modern usage.
Is Ourself grammatically incorrect?
Ourself is not universally incorrect. It is a recognized but uncommon singular reflexive pronoun traditionally associated with the royal we. However, using it when we represent an ordinary group is not standard usage. In that situation, ourselves is the appropriate form.
What is the plural form of Ourself?
Ourselves is the standard plural reflexive pronoun associated with we. For example, “We taught ourselves to cook.” The two forms are related, but their grammatical roles differ depending on whether the reference is plural or a special singular construction.
Can Ourself refer to one person?
Yes. Ourself can refer to one individual when that person uses we instead of I, particularly in traditional royal-style language. This construction is unusual in modern American English. When an individual speaks normally using I, the appropriate reflexive pronoun is myself.
What is the difference between Ourselves and Us?
Us is an object pronoun, whereas ourselves is a reflexive or intensive pronoun. For example, “The teacher encouraged us” uses us as the object of the verb. “We encouraged ourselves” uses ourselves because the group acts on itself.
Is We ourselves grammatically correct?
Yes. We ourselves is a grammatically correct construction that emphasizes the people included in we. For example, “We ourselves witnessed the entire event.” Here, ourselves adds emphasis to the subject rather than functioning as the object of an action.
How can I remember when to use Ourselves?
Remember that we normally represents a group, and its standard reflexive form is ourselves. When several people act for themselves, use ourselves. Treat ourselves as a rare singular exception rather than an everyday alternative.
Should I use Ourselves in American English?
Yes. Ourselves is the standard choice in American English whenever we refer to multiple people. It works naturally in everyday conversations, academic assignments, workplace communication, and creative writing. Unless you are deliberately using a specialized singular form of we, choose ourselves.
