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Yourself or someone like you5/6/2023 ![]() ![]() The second tip that can help you decide whether to use “you” or “yourself” is to switch the pronouns and check for understanding. “I gave it to yourself” sounds wrong, but “I gave it to Joe” helps me to recognize that I can simply use “you,” as in “I gave it to you” ( source). First, replace the pronoun with the actual noun to see whether “you” or “yourself” will work better. When you’re trying to decide whether to use “you” or “yourself” in a sentence, there are two easy tips to remember. It seems strange to the American ear, but this misuse of “yourself” is widely accepted in some parts of the world. Himself is the highest authority on this matter.In some European countries, you will even hear people use “yourself” and other reflexive pronouns in the place of the subject of a sentence, especially when speaking of nobility. We often use “yourself” incorrectly, so be aware of these simple rules. ![]() The result, of course, is the opposite if you understand the rules that limit when to use “yourself.” If “yourself” is not intensifying or reflecting the use of “you,” someone has used it incorrectly. It has become something of an idiosyncrasy in other English-speaking countries to add “self” to a variety of pronouns in both spoken and written communication in an effort to sound more educated. In a more formal setting, someone may use “yourself” in a misguided attempt at polite speech ( source). in the position of the subject in a sentence, it might be due to European influence. Incidentally, if you find the word “yourself” - or any of the reflexive pronouns, such as “myself,” “herself,” etc. (You) list the people in your household, including yourself.Therefore, it is correct to use “yourself” as the verb’s object because the verb’s subject is “you.”Įxamples of “yourself” in an imperative sentence include: “Consider yourself blessed,” “Be yourself,” and as you will frequently see when filling out paperwork, “List the people in your household, including yourself” ( source).Įach of these examples follows the rule of reflecting back to “you” as the sentence’s subject. In American English, we often use “yourself” in an imperative sentence because imperative sentences have an understood “you” as the subject. ![]() In this instance, we would not say, “You set that predicament up for you.” However, we would never say, “You almost gave you a heart attack.” This example follows the rule of reflecting “yourself” back to “you” in the subject.įinally, we can use “yourself” as the object of a preposition if the sentence’s subject is “you.” I could say, “ You set that predicament up for yourself.” It is an obtuse way to make the statement, but it is grammatically correct. We use “yourself” as an indirect object, but only in cooperation with the subject “you.” For instance, “ Youalmost gave yourselfa heart attack!” would be correct. For instance, “ You see yourself in a different light.” In this case, “you” is the subject, so you would not say, “You see you in a different light.” Use “yourself” as the direct object in a sentence when you have already used “you” as the subject( source). Generally, you must use “you” or “yourself” differently, depending on whether “you” is the subject of the sentence. Use “yourself” only to reflect back to “you” in the subject or to emphasize “you” when used with “yourself.” We can always use “yourself” in a sentence that already has “you” as the subject. Should you use “you” or “yourself” in this sentence? Which is correct? The answer may surprise you. If you have ever tried to use “yourself” in formal writing, you may have become confused. ![]()
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