Ourselves vs Ourself: Which One Is Correct? Grammar Guide(Updated 2026)

Last updated on September 26th, 2026 at 07:01 am

Ourselves and ourself look almost the same, so it is easy to think that both words can be used in the same way. However, in normal modern English, they do not have the same use.

Most English learners know words such as myself, yourself, himself, herself, ourselves, and themselves. These words are called reflexive pronouns.

We use them when the person doing an action is also connected to the person receiving that action.

The confusion starts when learners see ourself. It seems logical because we have our + self, just as we have your + self. But English does not always work by simply putting two words together.

In everyday standard English, ourselves is the normal reflexive pronoun for we and us. For example, we say, “We prepared ourselves for the exam,” not “We prepared ourself for the exam.”

Still, ourself is not completely impossible. It can appear in very unusual situations, especially when we refers to one person using a special “we,” such as a royal, editorial, or institutional voice. It may also appear in some dialects or older forms of English.

After reading this guide, you will know when to use ourselves, why ourself is rare, how reflexive pronouns work, and how to avoid common mistakes.

What Does “Ourselves” Mean?

Ourselves is the standard reflexive pronoun related to we and us.

It usually refers to two or more people, including the speaker. We use it when the people who do the action are also affected by the action, or when we want to emphasize the people in the group.

For example:

We hurt ourselves while playing football.

The people who hurt are we, and the people who were hurt are also ourselves.

The basic pattern is:

we → ourselves

and

us → ourselves

This is the normal form used in modern standard English.

When do we use “ourselves”?

There are several common situations.

First, we use ourselves as a reflexive pronoun when the subject and object refer to the same group.

We introduced ourselves to the new teacher.

The people who introduced themselves are the same people being introduced.

Second, we can use ourselves for emphasis.

We did the work ourselves.

Here, ourselves means that we did the work personally, without someone else doing it for us.

Third, we can use it after certain prepositions.

We bought the tickets for ourselves.

Here, the tickets were bought for the same people who are speaking.

Fourth, ourselves can be used after expressions such as “by.”

We went there by ourselves.

This usually means alone or without help from another person.

Examples with “ourselves”

1. We taught ourselves how to cook.
2. We looked at ourselves in the mirror.
3. We prepared ourselves for the long journey.
4. We introduced ourselves to our neighbors.
5. We bought ourselves some new clothes.
6. We should take care of ourselves.
7. We completed the project ourselves.
8. We enjoyed ourselves at the party.

Notice that ourselves can have slightly different meanings depending on the sentence.

In “We hurt ourselves,” it is a true reflexive use.

In “We did it ourselves,” it adds emphasis.

In “We bought it for ourselves,” it shows who received the benefit.

A common confusion with “ourselves”

Many learners think that ourself should be correct because our is singular in form. But that is not how this pronoun works.

The word our is a possessive determiner. It comes before a noun:

our house
our teacher
our car

But ourselves is a reflexive pronoun connected with we, not simply a word formed from the number of letters or the appearance of “our.”

So we say:

We should trust ourselves.

Not:

We should trust ourself.

For ordinary modern English, ourselves is the form to remember.

Hasn’t vs Haven’t

Beliefs or Believes

Assume vs Presume vs Infer

Unaccessible vs Inaccessible

Assistance vs Assistants

What Does “Ourself” Mean?

Ourself is a very rare reflexive form of we/us.

For normal everyday English, you should generally not use ourself. If you are talking about yourself and at least one other person, ourselves is the natural standard form.

However, saying that “ourself” is always impossible would be too simple. The word can occur in special varieties and situations.

One important use is connected with a special kind of we. Sometimes one person uses we instead of I. This is sometimes called the royal we, editorial we, or another institutional use of “we.”

In such a situation, ourself may sometimes be used because “we” is actually referring to one person or one voice.

For example, an old or highly formal speaker might say:

We have decided to handle the matter ourself.

This sounds very unusual to most modern speakers. In ordinary conversation, it would normally be:

We have decided to handle the matter ourselves.

If the speaker truly means several people, ourselves is the correct choice.

Why does “ourself” exist?

English has changed over time, and reflexive pronouns have not always followed exactly the same patterns we use today.

You may also see ourself in historical writing, dialects, very formal speech, or special uses of “we.”

That does not mean you should start using it in everyday English.

Think of it this way:

ourselves = normal and standard

ourself = rare, special, or nonstandard in ordinary use

Examples of “ourself”

Here are examples that show the kind of special context in which ourself may appear:

1. We must remind ourself of the rules.
2. We shall decide the matter ourself.
3. We cannot blame ourself for every problem.
4. We must ask ourself whether this is fair.

These sentences can be understood, but they sound unusual to most speakers if we clearly means several people.

For a normal group of people, change them to:

We must remind ourselves of the rules.

We shall decide the matter ourselves.

We cannot blame ourselves for every problem.

We must ask ourselves whether this is fair.

Should beginners use “ourself”?

No, not in normal everyday English.

If you are writing an email, school assignment, blog post, exam answer, business message, or ordinary conversation, choose ourselves when the subject is we.

Knowing that “ourself” exists is useful because you may see it somewhere. But recognizing a word does not mean you need to use it.

Ourselves After “By,” “For,” and Other Prepositions

One useful way to understand ourselves is to notice how often it appears after prepositions. These combinations are common in everyday English and have slightly different meanings.

With by ourselves, it usually means alone or without help:

We completed the project by ourselves.

With for ourselves, it can show that something was done for the benefit of the same group:

We bought the tickets for ourselves.

It can also appear after other prepositions:

We were talking about ourselves.

We kept the information to ourselves.

We were proud of ourselves.

In all these examples, ourselves refers back to we/us.

The important point is that you should not replace ourselves with ourself simply because the word follows a preposition. For normal modern English, the standard form remains ourselves when the speaker means a group.

Wasn’t vs Weren’t

Run vs Ran

Had Done vs Have Done

Soo vs So

Violet vs Indigo vs Purple

Difference Between Ourselves and Ourself

The easiest way to understand the difference is to focus on who “we” refers to and what kind of English you are using.

1. “Ourselves” is the normal plural reflexive pronoun

When we refers to more than one person, use ourselves.

We introduced ourselves.

We enjoyed ourselves.

We taught ourselves.

The word clearly refers back to the plural subject we.

2. “Ourself” is much more restricted

If you see ourself, do not automatically assume it is simply another form of ourselves.

It may be used when we represents one person in a special voice, or it may belong to a particular dialect or older style.

For example, a writer using an institutional “we” might use:

We have examined the evidence ourself.

But in standard everyday English, a group would say:

We have examined the evidence ourselves.

3. The meaning can depend on the kind of “we”

This is the key grammar idea.

Normally:

we = several people

Therefore:

ourselves = several people

But in some special forms of English:

we = one person

In that unusual situation, ourself can sometimes appear.

This is why it is better to call ourself rare or special rather than simply saying that the word can never exist.

4. Sentence structure

With ourselves, common structures include:

Subject + verb + ourselves

We prepared ourselves.

Subject + verb + ourselves + preposition

We bought some food for ourselves.

Subject + verb + by ourselves

We finished the job by ourselves.

Subject + verb + ourselves + emphasis

We did it ourselves.

These are natural and common structures.

Ourselves vs Ourself in Professional and Academic Writing

The choice between ourselves and ourself becomes especially important in professional and academic writing. In these settings, clear and standard English is usually preferred.

When we refers to a group of people, use ourselves.

For example:

We conducted the research ourselves.

We should ask ourselves whether the results are reliable.

We prepared the presentation ourselves.

These sentences sound natural in reports, emails, essays, and other formal writing.

You may occasionally see ourself in older documents or in writing where one person uses we for a special institutional or editorial voice. However, this is not the normal choice for modern professional English.

For English learners, the safest rule is simple: when we means a group, use ourselves. You do not need to use ourself to make your writing sound more formal. In fact, ourselves is the standard form that will sound natural to most readers.

Grammar Rules You Must Remember

Rule #1: “We” normally takes “ourselves”

The most important rule is simple:

we → ourselves

When we refers to two or more people, use ourselves.

We blamed ourselves.

We helped ourselves.

We prepared ourselves.

Do not change ourselves to ourself just because our looks singular.

Rule #2: Use “ourselves” when the group does something to the group

When the subject and object refer to the same people, ourselves is often needed.

Compare:

We saw ourselves in the mirror.

The people who saw and the people they saw are the same.

Another example:

We hurt ourselves.

Again, we and ourselves refer to the same people.

This is the normal reflexive pattern.

Rule #3: Use “ourselves” for emphasis

Sometimes the word is not required to show a direct reflexive action. It can simply add emphasis.

We painted the room ourselves.

This means we personally painted it.

Someone else did not do the main work for us.

You can think of this use as:

ourselves = we personally

Another example:

We built the table ourselves.

The sentence emphasizes who did the work.

Rule #4: Treat “ourself” as a special form, not the normal choice

If you are unsure, choose ourselves.

This is especially important in:

• school writing
• exams
• professional English
• emails
• websites
• everyday conversation
• formal documents

You may encounter ourself in unusual writing, but that does not make it the normal replacement for ourselves.

A useful learner rule is:

If “we” means several people, use “ourselves.”

That one rule will solve most problems.

Common Mistakes Students Make

Mistake 1: Thinking “ourself” is the singular version of “ourselves”

This is probably the most common mistake.

A learner may think:

one person = ourself
more than one person = ourselves

But that is not the normal system.

Ourself is not the ordinary singular version of ourselves.

For example, if one person means “I,” the normal word is myself, not ourself.

Wrong:

I did it ourself.

Correct:

I did it myself.

And if several people mean “we”:

We did it ourselves.

Mistake 2: Using “ourself” after “we”

Wrong:

We should protect ourself.

Correct:

We should protect ourselves.

Why? Because we normally represents more than one person.

Mistake 3: Using “ourself” because “our” is not plural

Some students know that our is used with a group and still become confused because the word itself does not end in -s.

But pronouns do not always form their plural versions in a simple way.

We say:

we → ourselves

not:

we → ourself

English grammar must be learned as a system rather than by adding or removing letters.

Mistake 4: Replacing “ourselves” with “ourself” in formal writing

A learner might write:

We should ask ourself this question.

For normal formal English, write:

We should ask ourselves this question.

This sounds natural and follows standard usage.

Mistake 5: Confusing “ourselves” with “our”

Remember that these words have different jobs.

Our comes before a noun:

our house
our teacher
our idea

Ourselves is a reflexive pronoun:

We taught ourselves.

You cannot normally replace one with the other.

Wrong:

We taught our.

Correct:

We taught ourselves.

Easy Trick to Remember the Difference

Here is a simple classroom trick:

Think: “WE = OURSELVES”

Whenever your subject is we, and you need a reflexive pronoun, your first choice should be ourselves.

Say it as a little pattern:

I → myself

You → yourself / yourselves

He → himself

She → herself

We → ourselves

They → themselves

Notice that we has its own standard reflexive form: ourselves.

You can also remember this sentence:

We did it ourselves.

This is one of the most natural examples in English.

If you are talking about a normal group of people, ourselves should come to mind immediately.

A second memory trick

Look at the ending:

ourselves

It contains selves, which connects nicely with a group of people.

One person:

self

More than one:

selves

So:

myself → ourselves

This is not a complete rule for every English pronoun, but it can help you remember the standard form.

What about “ourself”?

Put it in the “rare words” box in your mind.

You do not need to forget it. Just remember:

I recognize “ourself,” but I normally write and say “ourselves.”

That is a much safer rule for English learners.

Daily Life Examples

Here are some natural examples you might hear or use in real conversations.

Example 1: Getting ready

Ali: Did you get ready for the trip?

Sara: Yes. We packed our bags ourselves.

Here, ourselves emphasizes that the group packed its own bags.

Example 2: Cooking

Friend: Who cooked dinner?

You: We cooked it ourselves.

The word shows that the speakers personally did the cooking.

Example 3: Looking in a mirror

We looked at ourselves in the mirror before leaving.

The people looking and the people in the reflection are the same.

Example 4: Taking care

We need to take care of ourselves.

This is a very common expression.

It means that people should look after their own health, safety, or general well-being.

Example 5: Working without help

We fixed the computer by ourselves.

Here, by ourselves means without outside help.

Example 6: Meeting new people

We introduced ourselves to the new students.

The group introduces its own members.

Example 7: Learning

We taught ourselves how to use the software.

Nobody officially taught the group. The group learned independently.

Example 8: Buying something

We bought ourselves some snacks.

The snacks were bought for the speakers.

Example 9: Solving a problem

We solved the problem ourselves.

The speakers solved it personally.

Example 10: Having fun

We really enjoyed ourselves at the wedding.

Enjoy ourselves is a common English expression.

It means that the people had a good time.

Practice Section

Choose ourselves or ourself in each sentence.

1. We prepared ________ for the examination.

a) ourselves
b) ourself

2. We built the small garden ________.

a) ourselves
b) ourself

3. We should ask ________ whether this is the right decision.

a) ourselves
b) ourself

4. We enjoyed ________ at the party.

a) ourselves
b) ourself

5. We cleaned the house by ________.

a) ourselves
b) ourself

Answers

1. ourselves

We prepared ourselves for the examination.

2. ourselves

We built the small garden ourselves.

3. ourselves

We should ask ourselves whether this is the right decision.

4. ourselves

We enjoyed ourselves at the party.

5. ourselves

We cleaned the house by ourselves.

If you chose ourselves five times, excellent. For ordinary modern English, that is exactly the pattern you should remember.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ourselves and ourself?

Ourselves is the normal standard reflexive pronoun for we and us when they refer to more than one person.

Ourself is rare and appears mainly in special uses of “we,” dialects, or older forms of English. Beginners should normally use ourselves.

Can we use “ourself” in everyday English?

Usually, no. In normal conversation, ourselves is the natural choice when we refers to a group.

For example:

We did it ourselves.

This sounds normal.

“We did it ourself” sounds unusual to most speakers.

Is “ourself” grammatically correct?

It can be grammatically possible in certain special contexts, so it is not accurate to say that the word can never be used.

However, it is not the normal reflexive pronoun for a plural “we.” In standard everyday English, use ourselves.

Is “ourselves” singular or plural?

Ourselves normally refers to more than one person.

It is connected with we and us.

For example:

We taught ourselves.

The speaker is talking about the speaker plus at least one other person.

Can “ourselves” be used for emphasis?

Yes. This is very common.

For example:

We made the cake ourselves.

Here, ourselves emphasizes that the speakers personally made the cake.

It can often be understood as “we personally” or “without someone else doing it.”

Should I use “ourself” in an English exam?

For ordinary English, it is best to use ourselves when the subject is we.

For example:

We completed the work ourselves.

This is standard and natural.

Using ourself in an exam when you mean a normal group would likely be considered incorrect or at least highly unusual.

What is the correct form: “we ourselves” or “we ourself”?

The normal form is:

We ourselves

For example:

We ourselves checked every document.

This emphasizes that we personally checked the documents.

“We ourself” is only suitable in very unusual contexts where “we” has a special singular meaning.

Is “ourselves” always reflexive?

Not always in the narrowest sense.

It can be used as a true reflexive pronoun:

We hurt ourselves.

But it can also be used for emphasis:

We did the work ourselves.

It can also appear in expressions such as:

by ourselves

and

for ourselves

So its exact function depends on the sentence.

Final Conclusion

The difference between ourselves and ourself becomes much easier when you focus on the kind of we you are using.

For normal modern English, ourselves is the correct and natural reflexive pronoun for a group represented by we.

We use it in sentences such as “We prepared ourselves,” “We enjoyed ourselves,” and “We did it ourselves.”

Ourself is much rarer. You may find it in older writing, certain dialects, or special situations where one person uses we instead of I.

That is why it is better to call it a rare or special form rather than saying that it can never appear.

If you are a student or English learner, there is no need to make this complicated. Remember the basic pattern:

we → ourselves

When you mean several people, choose ourselves.

The more you use natural English sentences in conversation and writing, the easier this choice will become.

Keep practicing, and soon you will use the correct form without stopping to think about the rule.

Benjamin Clark

I am Benjamin Clark, an English language writer passionate about simplifying grammar, vocabulary, and word meanings. I create clear, accurate, and practical content to help learners improve their English skills with confidence every day.