Cool MateThemselves
UK /["/ðəmˈselvz/"]/US /["/ðəmˈselvz/"]/
Definition
used when people or animals performing an action are also affected by it
In simple words: the people being talked about do something on their own
Examples
- They seemed to be enjoying themselves.
- The children were arguing amongst themselves.
- They've bought themselves a new car.
- There wasn't anyone who hadn't enjoyed themselves.
- They themselves had had a similar experience.
- Don and Julie paid for it themselves.
- They wanted to spend the evening by themselves.
- They did the cooking by themselves.
Usage notes
Used when the subject and the object of the verb are the same. Appropriate in both spoken and written English but more common in neutral contexts.
Grammar pattern
reflexive pronoun usage
Memory hint
Think of 'them' as a group and they can do things 'by themselves'!
Collocations
- manage themselves
- enjoy themselves
- clean themselves
Synonyms
- by themselves
- on their own
- independently
Antonyms
- others
- another
- different people
Common mistakes
- Using 'themself' instead of 'themselves', which is not standard.
- Confusing with 'their' as a possessive pronoun.
- Omitting 'themselves' in sentences where it's needed for clarity.