Understanding Ourselves vs Ourself can be confusing, especially when pronouns feel tricky and usage depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. In my experience, many writers pause mid-sentence to check if ourself fits, but ourselves is usually the correct choice for plural, making your communication clear and confident while avoiding confusion.
When writing blogs, academic papers, or business documents, knowing the differences between ourselves and ourself is essential. Historical roots and editorial quirks show that reflexive pronouns evolved over time, and sometimes usage can feel subtle or unusual. Readers notice misplaced pronouns, which can weaken authority, and even a single wrong form affects clarity and perspective, so practical examples, tips, and proper application matter.
Using ourselves or ourself correctly requires confidence and mastery. When you trace language evolution and learn how words shape meaning, it becomes easier to choose the right pronoun in any situation. By applying knowledge, demonstration, and repeated practice, you gradually master ourselves, ourself, and their proper usage, ensuring your writing, style, and tone remain elegant, accurate, and effective in everyday or professional contexts.
Why “Ourselves vs Ourself” Confuses So Many Writers
Let’s start with the root of the confusion.
English reflexive pronouns follow a pattern:
- myself
- yourself
- himself
- herself
- itself
- ourselves
- yourselves
- themselves
Now look at that list again. Notice anything?
There’s no clear reason, at first glance, why “ourself” isn’t included. After all, “myself” exists. So shouldn’t “ourself” also exist?
That’s where things get tricky.
Why it feels logical
- “Myself” = singular
- “Ourselves” = plural
- So logically → “ourself” should be singular
But English doesn’t always follow perfect logic. Instead, it follows usage patterns shaped by history.
What actually causes confusion
- The word “we” can sometimes refer to a single entity (like a company or monarch)
- Older forms of English used “ourself” more freely
- Modern English has simplified the system
As a result, learners and even native speakers sometimes second-guess themselves.
The Core Difference Between Ourselves vs Ourself
Let’s make this crystal clear.
- Ourselves → Standard plural reflexive pronoun
- Ourself → Rare, specialized, mostly historical or formal
Simple rule
If your subject is “we” in normal everyday use, you should almost always use:
👉 “ourselves”
Quick Comparison Table for Instant Clarity
| Word | Number | Usage Status | Where You’ll See It |
| Ourselves | Plural | Standard | Everyday speech and writing |
| Ourself | Singular | Rare / formal | Royal, editorial, historical |
What “Ourselves” Really Means in Modern English
In modern English, “ourselves” works as a reflexive pronoun. That means the subject and object refer to the same group.
Basic idea
You use “ourselves” when:
- The subject is we
- The action comes back to that same group
How “Ourselves” Works in Sentences
Reflexive Use (Most Common)
This is the everyday use you’ll see everywhere.
Examples:
- We taught ourselves how to code.
- We blamed ourselves for the mistake.
- We prepared ourselves for the interview.
Here, the action reflects back onto the subject.
Emphatic Use (For Emphasis)
Sometimes, “ourselves” adds emphasis. It doesn’t change meaning. It just adds weight.
Examples:
- We built this company ourselves.
- We handled the problem ourselves.
Think of it as saying: no one else helped us.
Common Verbs That Pair Naturally with “Ourselves”
Certain verbs almost naturally invite reflexive use.
Common pairings
- Introduce ourselves
- Enjoy ourselves
- Prepare ourselves
- Teach ourselves
- Remind ourselves
- Pride ourselves
Real Examples of “Ourselves” in Context
Everyday speech
- “We should remind ourselves to stay focused.”
Workplace
- “We need to position ourselves better in the market.”
Casual tone
- “Let’s treat ourselves this weekend.”
Rules for Using “Ourselves” Correctly
To avoid mistakes, follow these simple rules.
Must refer to a plural subject
- Correct: We helped ourselves
- Incorrect: I helped ourselves
Don’t replace “us” with “ourselves” incorrectly
❌ “She gave the tickets to ourselves”
✔ “She gave the tickets to us”
Use it only when needed
Don’t overuse it for style. Keep it natural.
Common Mistakes With “Ourselves”
Even experienced writers slip up sometimes.
Frequent errors
- Using it instead of “us”
- Adding it unnecessarily
- Misplacing it in sentences
What “Ourself” Actually Means (And Why It Exists)
Now let’s talk about the unusual one.
“Ourself” does exist, but it lives in a very narrow space.
The Historical Origin of “Ourself”
In older English, speakers sometimes used “we” as a singular pronoun. This happened in formal or elevated speech.
Because of that, “ourself” appeared as the reflexive form.
The Royal We: Where “Ourself” Still Appears
One of the most famous uses comes from monarchy.
A king or queen might say:
- “We have decided to take this action.”
Even though they speak alone, they use “we” to represent authority.
In that case:
- “We must prepare ourself”
Here, “ourself” refers to one person using “we.”
Editorial and Institutional “We”
You’ll sometimes see this in:
- Academic writing
- Editorials
- Formal statements
Example:
- “We find ourself in a difficult position.”
Even here, it’s rare. Most modern writers still prefer “ourselves.”
Real Historical and Formal Examples
Older texts often include “ourself,” especially in:
- Legal documents
- Religious writing
- Royal decrees
However, modern usage has moved away from it.
Why Modern English Avoids “Ourself”
Language evolves toward clarity.
Reasons for the shift
- “Ourselves” clearly signals plural
- “Ourself” creates confusion
- Style guides favor consistency
Most editors today would flag “ourself” unless the context demands it.
Side-by-Side Usage Examples
Correct Use of “Ourselves”
- We organized ourselves before the event.
- We introduced ourselves to the team.
Correct (Rare) Use of “Ourself”
- “We, the monarch, declare ourself ready.”
Incorrect Usage Examples
- ❌ We prepared ourself for the test
- ❌ We blamed ourself
These sound unnatural in modern English.
Common Grammar Myths About Ourselves vs Ourself
Let’s clear up a few misunderstandings.
Myth: “Ourself” Is Always Wrong
Not true.
It’s rare, not incorrect. Context matters.
Myth: “Ourselves” Can Be Singular
False.
“Ourselves” always refers to more than one person.
Myth: They Are Interchangeable
Definitely not.
Switching them changes correctness, not just style.
How to Choose the Right Word Every Time
Here’s the simplest way to decide.
Simple Decision Rule
- If you mean more than one person → use ourselves
- If you’re writing royal or formal singular “we” → possibly ourself
Quick Editing Test
Replace your sentence:
- “We” → does it mean multiple people?
- Yes → use ourselves
Style Guide Reality Check
Modern writing standards strongly prefer:
- “Ourselves” in almost all cases
Practical Tips for Writers
Keep your writing clean and natural.
Best practices
- Use “ourselves” by default
- Avoid outdated phrasing
- Focus on clarity
Why Getting Ourselves vs Ourself Right Matters
This small detail carries weight.
It affects:
- Clarity
- Professional tone
- Reader trust
Even minor grammar errors can distract readers.
Case Studies: Real-Life Usage in Action
Case Study: Workplace Email
❌ “We have prepared ourself for the meeting”
✔ “We have prepared ourselves for the meeting”
Result: The corrected version sounds polished and professional.
Case Study: Academic Writing
❌ “We position ourself as researchers”
✔ “We position ourselves as researchers”
Result: Clear and standard usage.
Case Study: Formal Statement
Rare case:
- “We, as an institution, find ourself at a turning point.”
Even here, many editors would still change it.
The Ultimate Usage Table
| Situation | Correct Form | Example |
| Everyday writing | Ourselves | We taught ourselves well |
| Casual speech | Ourselves | We enjoyed ourselves |
| Workplace communication | Ourselves | We prepared ourselves |
| Royal/formal singular “we” | Ourself (rare) | We declare ourself ready |
| Incorrect modern usage | ❌ Ourself | We blamed ourself |
Practice Sentences
Test your understanding.
- We reminded ___ to stay calm
- We introduced ___ at the meeting
- We prepared ___ for the challenge
Answers: ourselves, ourselves, ourselves
Conclusion
Understanding Ourselves vs Ourself is more than memorizing a rule—it’s about recognizing whether your subject is singular or plural, and choosing the correct pronoun to keep your writing clear, confident, and professional. Paying attention to context, grammar, and usage ensures that your sentences convey the right meaning, whether in everyday communication, academic papers, or business documents. With practice, mastery, and careful application, using ourselves or ourself correctly becomes second nature.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between ourselves and ourself?
Ourselves is used when referring to a plural subject, while ourself is used with a singular “we” in rare, formal, or philosophical contexts.
Q2. Can ourself be used in modern English writing?
Yes, but it’s mostly limited to literary, historical, or philosophical contexts. In most everyday writing, ourselves is preferred.
Q3. Why do people confuse ourselves and ourself?
Because they look similar and both are reflexive pronouns. Confusion happens when people don’t check plurality or context.
Q4. How can I know which pronoun to use in a sentence?
Check if the subject is singular or plural, then match it with the correct reflexive pronoun. Context and sentence structure also guide your choice.
Q5. Is it wrong to use ourself instead of ourselves?
In most modern English, yes—it is considered incorrect unless you are writing in formal or historical style.
Q6. Are there similar pronouns I should watch out for?
Yes. Myself, yourself, himself, herself, themselves follow similar rules for singular and plural usage, so learning their patterns helps avoid mistakes.
Q7. How can I practice using ourselves and ourself correctly?
Write short sentences, read examples in books or articles, and check each pronoun for subject agreement. Over time, your usage will become natural.
