Ourselves
'Ourselves' is a reflexive pronoun that refers to 'we.' In this part, we will go through its uses and grammatical rules in English grammar.
Ourselves is known to be a reflexive pronoun but it is an emphatic pronoun too. We will cover them in this lesson.
Functions of 'Ourselves'
1. 'Ourselves' as a Reflexive Pronoun
Ourselves as a reflexive pronoun is used when the subject and the object both refer to the first-person plural subject 'we.' Ourselves can be the direct object, the indirect object, or the object of a preposition. Ourselves is also a subject complement.
Here are its uses and some examples:
1.1 'Ourselves' as a Direct Object
Use
Ourselves as a direct object is used to receive the action of the verb. For example:
We need to get ready to defend
'Ourselves' is used to show 'we' receives the action of 'defend.'
It is enough to rest
Position in a Sentence
Ourselves as a direct object is placed after the verb. For example:
We need to get ready to defend
'Ourselves' is after 'defend.'
It is enough to rest
1.2 'Ourselves' as an Indirect Object
Use
Ourselves as an indirect object is used to show who receives the direct object. For example:
We taught
'Spanish' is a direct object and 'ourselves' as an indirect object shows 'we' is the recipient of 'Spanish.'
My mother and I wrote
Position in a Sentence
The indirect object is usually used before a direct object. For example:
It is good to buy
'Ourselves' is the indirect object and comes before the direct object 'some gifts.'
1.3 'Ourselves' as the Object of a Preposition
Use
Ourselves as an object of the preposition is introduced by a preposition. For example:
We were happy that we had the bar all to
'To' is a preposition and introduces the object of a preposition.
We need to save the earth from
Position in a Sentence
Ourselves as an object of the preposition comes after a preposition. For example:
We need to save the earth from
'Ourselves' is after the preposition 'from.'
1.4 'Ourselves' as a Subject Complement
Use
Ourselves can be a subject complement if it is used after the linking verbs. For example:
If we become
'Become' is a linking verb.
Therapy will help. We don't seem like
Position in a Sentence
Ourselves as a subject complement is used after the linking verbs. For example:
Therapy will help. We don't seem like
'Ourselves' is a subject complement because it is used after 'seem.'
If we become
2. 'Ourselves' as an Emphatic Pronoun
Use
Ourselves as an emphatic pronoun emphasizes the doer of the action. For example:
We
'Ourselves' emphasizes 'we.'
He insisted that we need to be there
Position in a Sentence
Ourselves as an emphatic pronoun comes either at the end of the sentence or after the subject. For example:
He insisted that we need to be there
'Ourselves' is at the end of the sentence.
We
'Ourselves' is after the subject.
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