Yourselves

'Yourselves' is a reflexive pronoun that refers to 'you.' In this part, we will go through its uses and grammatical rules in English grammar.

Yourselves is a word known as a reflexive pronoun, but it has another function. In this lesson, we will discuss when and how to use it.

Functions of 'Yourselves'

1. 'Yourselves' as a Reflexive Pronoun

Yourselves as a reflexive pronoun is used when the subject and the object both refer to the second-person plural subject 'you.' Yourselves can be the direct object, the indirect object, or the object of preposition. Yourselves is also a subject complement. Here are its uses and some examples:

1.1 'Yourselves' as a Direct Object

Use

Yourselves as a reflexive pronoun is used to receive the action of the verb. For example:

You painted yourselves.

'Yourselves' as a direct object shows who receives the action of 'painting.'

It is enough to rest yourselves.

Position in a Sentence

Yourselves as a direct object comes after the verb. For example:

You painted yourselves.

'Yourselves' is after 'painted.'

It is enough to rest yourselves.

1.2 'Yourselves' as an Indirect Object

Use

Yourselves as an indirect object is used to show who receives the direct object, so an indirect object always comes with a direct object. For example:

It is good to buy yourselves some gifts.

'Some gifts' is the direct object and 'yourselves' an indirect object.

You should make yourselves two cakes.

'Two cakes' is the direct object and 'yourselves' is the indirect object and shows 'you' is the recipient of 'two cakes.'

Position in a Sentence

The indirect object usually comes before a direct object. For example:

It is good to buy yourselves some gifts.

'Yourselves' as an indirect object is before the direct object 'some gifts.'

You should make yourselves two cakes.

1.3 'Yourselves' as the Object of a Preposition

Use

Yourselves as an object of the preposition is introduced by a preposition. For example:

You brought it upon yourselves.

'Upon' is a preposition introducing an object.

You can't face him all by yourselves.

As parents, you won't have much time to yourselves.

Position in a Sentence

Yourselves as an object of the preposition comes after a preposition. For example:

You brought it upon yourselves.

'Yourselves' is after the preposition 'upon.'

You can't face him all by yourselves.

1.4 'Yourselves' as a Subject Complement

Use

Yourselves can be a subject complement if it is used after the linking verbs. For example:

It is okay not to feel yourselves.

'Feel' is a linking verb.

Therapy will help. You guys don't seem like yourselves.

Position in a Sentence

Yourselves as a subject complement is used after the linking verbs. For example:

It is okay not to feel yourselves.

'Yourselves' is a subject complement and used after the linking verb 'feel.'

2. 'Yourselves' as an Emphatic Pronoun

Use

Yourselves as an emphatic pronoun emphasizes the subject and if it is omitted, the meaning of the sentence is still complete. For example:

You can't do all the work yourselves.

You yourselves can achieve anything.

Position in a Sentence

Yourselves as an emphatic pronoun comes either at the end of the sentence or after the subject. For example:

You can't do all the work yourselves.

'Yourselves' is used at the end of the sentence.

You yourselves can achieve anything.

'Yourselves' is used after the subject.

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