Ourselves
Definition
Example
"We prepared ourselves for the long and difficult journey ahead."
"We ourselves approved the plan after carefully reviewing all the details."
"We fixed the problem by ourselves without asking anyone for help."
Explanation
“Ourselves” refers to the same people who are speaking. It is a reflexive pronoun used when the subject and object are the same group, meaning “we” do something to or for our own group, without involving others. For example, we prepared ourselves for the challenges ahead. It can also be used for emphasis to mean “we personally” (not someone else); as in we ourselves made the decision. When used with “by” and emphasises that we did something alone, without help from anyone else, like in we built the house by ourselves. This word helps clarify responsibility, independence, and personal involvement.