Have you ever typed a sentence, then paused because “ourself” looked wrong but “ourselves” felt too long? You are not alone. This mix-up trips up students, bloggers, and even confident writers. The confusion around Ourselves vs Ourself is one of the most common pronoun questions in English.
The short answer is simple. “Ourselves” is the word you need almost every time. “Ourself” only shows up in rare royal, formal, or historical writing. This guide breaks down Ourselves vs Ourself with clear rules, real examples, and a few tricks so you never second-guess yourself again.
Definition of “Ourselves” and “Ourself”
“Ourselves” is a reflexive pronoun. It refers back to a plural subject, usually “we.” You use it when more than one person performs and receives the same action.
“Ourself” is also reflexive, but it is singular. Writers use it when “we” stands for one person or one voice, such as a king, queen, or official body speaking as a single unit.
Here is the core idea behind Ourselves vs Ourself:
- Ourselves = plural subject, plural pronoun
- Ourself = singular “we,” singular pronoun
Our Self or Ourself
Some readers wonder if “our self” (two words) is correct. It is not standard English. “Our self” separates the possessive “our” from the noun “self,” which changes the meaning entirely.
Stick with one word: “ourself.” Two words only make sense in a phrase like “our sense of self,” where “self” acts as its own noun.
The Core Difference Between “Ourselves” and “Ourself”
The real difference in Ourselves vs Ourself comes down to number, not formality alone. Ask yourself one question: does “we” mean many people, or one voice speaking as “we”?
- If “we” means a group, use ourselves.
- If “we” means one person or entity using royal or formal speech, use ourself.
Most everyday writing never needs “ourself” at all.
Comparison Table: “Ourselves” vs “Ourself”
| Feature | Ourselves | Ourself |
| Grammatical number | Plural | Singular |
| Common usage | Everyday, modern English | Rare, formal or royal |
| Subject example | We (a group) | We (one monarch or voice) |
| Sample sentence | We taught ourselves to swim | We dedicate ourself to this cause |
| Frequency today | Very high | Very low |
Historical Evolution of “Ourself” and “Ourselves”
Words change over time, and these two are no exception. Let’s trace how English shaped them from old roots to modern rules.
Old English Roots
Reflexive pronouns in Old English attached “self” to a possessive pronoun for emphasis. Early writers used singular and plural forms more loosely than we do now.
The Singular Reflexive “Ourself”
During the medieval and early modern periods, “ourself” appeared often in royal speech. Kings and queens used “we” to represent their office, not just their person, so “ourself” matched that singular authority.
Modern Decline
As English simplified, writers dropped most singular reflexive forms tied to plural pronouns. “Ourselves” became the safe, standard choice, while “ourself” faded into ceremonial use.
Linguistic Insight: Reflexive Pronouns in English
Reflexive pronouns send the action of a verb back to the subject. Common examples include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
Notice a pattern? Every reflexive pronoun matches its subject in number. Singular subjects take singular reflexives. Plural subjects take plural reflexives. This is why the Ourselves vs Ourself question really comes down to counting who “we” refers to.
The Royal “We”: Why Monarchs Say “Ourself”
Monarchs traditionally use “we” to speak for their crown, not just themselves as individuals. This is called the royal “we.” Since that “we” still represents one office, it pairs with the singular reflexive “ourself.”
Example: “We dedicate ourself to the service of our people.” This sounds odd in daily speech, but it fits royal tradition perfectly.
ALSO READ THIS BLOG: Hussle or Hustle: Which Spelling Is Correct? Meaning & Examples
The Editorial and Institutional “We”
Writers, journalists, and companies often use “we” to sound authoritative or neutral. This is the editorial “we.” Even though it feels singular, it grammatically stays plural.
That means editorial writing almost always uses ourselves, not ourself. For example: “We consider ourselves responsible for this report” is correct, even when only one person wrote it.
Modern English Usage: When Only “Ourselves” Works
In nearly all modern writing, “ourselves” is the only safe option. Blogs, emails, essays, and business documents should default to this plural form.
Examples
- We enjoyed ourselves at the concert.
- The team pushed ourselves to finish early.
- We should be proud of ourselves.
- Let’s give ourselves credit for the hard work.
Grammar Tip
If you can replace “we” with “a group of people,” use “ourselves.” This quick test solves most Ourselves vs Ourself confusion instantly.
When “Ourself” Still Appears Rare but Real
“Ourself” has not vanished completely. You may spot it in royal speeches, historical texts, or literature written in an older style.
Modern Example from Official Context
Some formal or ceremonial documents still use “ourself” when referring to a single institutional voice, though this is increasingly rare even in royal writing today.
“Ourselves” and “Ourself” in Literature and Speech
Classic literature sometimes uses “ourself” for dramatic or poetic effect. Writers like Shakespeare used singular reflexive forms to reflect a character’s inner voice or royal status.
Modern speeches almost always favor “ourselves,” since public figures rarely claim a singular “we” outside of monarchy. Understanding this shift helps readers appreciate why Ourselves vs Ourself matters in tone as much as grammar.
Common Misconceptions and Grammar Myths
People believe a lot of wrong things about “ourself” and “ourselves.” Let’s clear up the biggest myths once and for all.
Myth: “Ourself” Is Always Incorrect
This is false. “Ourself” is correct in specific royal or formal contexts, just not in everyday writing.
Myth: “Ourselves” Can Be Singular
“Ourselves” is always plural. It never refers to one person alone.
Myth: They’re Interchangeable
They are not interchangeable. Swapping them changes whether your sentence sounds standard or oddly formal.
Myth: “Ourself” Is Old English Only
While rooted in Old English, “ourself” still appears in modern royal and ceremonial writing today.
How to Choose the Right Form Every Time
Follow these simple steps whenever you face the Ourselves vs Ourself decision:
- Identify what “we” refers to in your sentence.
- Ask if it means a group or one formal voice.
- Choose ourselves for groups, ourself for singular formal “we.”
- When unsure, default to ourselves. It is almost always correct.
Quick Mnemonic
Remember: “Selves” has an S, just like a group has more than one person. If in doubt, add the S and use ourselves.
Practical Grammar Tips
- Use ourselves in emails, essays, and everyday conversation.
- Save ourself for royal, ceremonial, or historical writing only.
- Read your sentence aloud. Ourself often sounds unusual outside formal contexts.
- Check subject agreement first, then pick your pronoun.
- When editing, search your document for “ourself” and confirm each use is intentional.
Case Study: Real-World Application
Imagine a small business writing a mission statement. An early draft says, “We built this company to serve ourself.” That sentence sounds wrong because a business is made of multiple people, not one royal voice.
The corrected version reads, “We built this company to serve ourselves.” This small fix instantly makes the writing sound more professional and grammatically sound. Similar grammar dilemmas show up often, much like deciding between here is or here are when subject and verb agreement gets tricky.
Self-Assessment Quiz
Test what you learned about Ourselves vs Ourself:
- “We prepared ______ for the exam.” (ourselves/ourself)
- “We, ______, welcome our guests.” (royal context)
- “The board considers ______ accountable.” (ourselves/ourself)
- “We taught ______ to code.” (ourselves/ourself)
Answers: 1. ourselves, 2. ourself, 3. ourselves, 4. ourselves
Summary Table: Quick Reference
| Situation | Correct Form |
| Everyday speech or writing | Ourselves |
| Group or team subject | Ourselves |
| Royal “we” | Ourself |
| Editorial “we” | Ourselves |
| Formal ceremonial documents | Ourself (rare) |
Last Words
The debate over Ourselves vs Ourself really comes down to one question: is “we” plural or singular in spirit? For nearly every sentence you write, “ourselves” is the safe and correct answer. “Ourself” survives only in royal and ceremonial corners of English.
Keep this guide handy, and you will never hesitate over Ourselves vs Ourself again. When in doubt, count your subject, and let the S guide you home.
