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Oneself is rarely used because it is formal. In this lesson, we will discuss when and how to use it.
'Oneself' as a Reflexive Pronoun
Use
Oneself as a Reflexive Pronoun is used when the subject and the object both refer to any person in general. Oneself can be the direct object, the indirect object, or the object of a preposition. Oneself can also be a subject complement.
Here are its uses and some examples:
Oneself as a reflexive pronoun is used to receive the action of the verb. For example:
One needs to love oneself.
'Oneself' receives the action of 'to love.'
It is enough to rest oneself.
'Rest' needs an object that is 'oneself.'
Oneself as an indirect object is used to show who receives the direct object, so in this case, a direct object is needed. For example:
It is good to buy oneself a gift.
'A gift' is a direct object.
One should make oneself a cake.
'A cake' is the direct object and 'oneself' is the indirect object and shows 'one' is the recipient of 'a cake.'
Oneself as an object of the preposition is introduced by a preposition. For example:
It is strange to feel sorry for oneself.
One should do everything by oneself.
'By' is a preposition that introduces 'oneself' as an object.
Oneself can be a subject complement if it is used after the linking verbs. The subject complement is used to complete the subject. For example:
It is okay not to feel oneself.
'Feel' is a linking verb.
To become oneself is hard.
Position in a Sentence
Oneself as a direct object comes after the verb, as an indirect object comes before the direct object, as an object of preposition comes after the preposition, and as a subject complement is used after the linking verbs. For example:
One should respect oneself.
'Oneself' is the direct object.
It is good to buy oneself a gift.
'Oneself' as an indirect object comes before the direct object.
It is okay not to feel oneself.
'Oneself' is a subject complement after the linking verb 'feel.'
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