Have you ever paused mid-sentence, unsure whether to write “we did it ourselves” or “we did it ourself”? You’re not alone. This pair of reflexive pronouns looks almost identical, yet they follow different grammar rules rooted in centuries of English history. Getting it wrong can make your writing sound off to native speakers, while getting it right adds polish to your blogs, emails, and academic papers. This guide breaks down the difference clearly, traces where “ourself” came from, and gives you simple rules so you never second-guess yourself again.
Understanding Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns point an action back at the subject of a sentence. Familiar examples include myself, yourself, himself, herself, and themselves. Each one matches a specific subject in number and person:
- I → myself
- You → yourself / yourselves
- He/She/It → himself/herself/itself
- They → themselves
- We → ourselves (or, rarely, ourself)
Reflexive pronouns show up in two main jobs: they either reflect an action onto the subject (She hurt herself) or add emphasis (She did it herself). The same logic applies to “we,” which is where the ourselves/ourself confusion begins.
The Basic Distinction Between ‘Ourselves’ and ‘Ourself’
In everyday modern English, the rule is simple:
- Ourselves is the standard plural reflexive pronoun. It’s used whenever “we” refers to two or more people.
- Ourself is a rare singular reflexive form. It only applies when “we” stands in for a single speaker — most commonly a monarch, an institution, or an editorial voice.
In practice, this means “ourselves” covers roughly 99% of real-world writing, while “ourself” is reserved for formal, ceremonial, or historical contexts.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Ourselves | Ourself |
|---|---|---|
| Grammatical number | Plural | Singular (in meaning) |
| Common usage | Everyday, modern English | Rare, formal, ceremonial |
| Typical speaker | Groups, teams, organizations | Monarchs, editors, institutions |
| Example | We taught ourselves to swim | We hold ourself accountable |
| Recommended for | Almost all writing | Only specific formal contexts |
Historical Context and the ‘Royal We’
To understand why “ourself” exists at all, you have to go back to how English pronouns developed. Old and Middle English allowed more flexibility in matching singular and plural forms than modern grammar does today. Over time, kings, queens, and church leaders adopted “we” instead of “I” to represent both their personal identity and their institutional authority — a habit known as the royal we.
Because the speaker was still one person, even though the pronoun was plural, the reflexive form that emerged was “ourself,” not “ourselves.” This wasn’t a mistake; it was a deliberate way of signaling that the individual and the office were one and the same. A monarch saying “we hold ourself accountable” was speaking as both a person and a symbol of the crown.
Usage in Literature and Historical Texts
Shakespeare and other writers from the Early Modern English period used “ourself” frequently, especially in the mouths of kings, queens, and nobles. Royal proclamations and legal documents from the 17th century also leaned on this singular “we.” Phrases resembling formal declarations of authority — where a single ruler set their seal upon a decision — commonly paired “we” with “ourself” rather than “ourselves.”
As spoken English modernized and everyday speakers stopped using “we” to mean “I,” the singular reflexive form gradually faded from common use. Today, it survives mainly as a linguistic fossil in ceremonial and literary contexts.
Modern vs Historical Comparison Table
| Aspect | Historical English | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| Pronoun flexibility | High; singular/plural blended | Strict; number must match |
| Common context | Royal decrees, sermons, legal texts | Everyday writing, business, casual speech |
| Preferred reflexive | Ourself (for singular “we”) | Ourselves (almost always) |
| Tone conveyed | Authority, institutional unity | Clarity, plain communication |
Correct Usage of ‘Ourselves’ in Modern English
For virtually every sentence you write today, “ourselves” is the correct and expected choice. It applies whenever “we” clearly means more than one person — which includes casual speech, business writing, academic work, and journalism.
Key Rules for Using Ourselves:
- Use it when the subject “we” includes multiple people acting together. Example: We congratulated ourselves on a job well done.
- Use it for emphasis, even when the sentence would work without it. Example: We built the app ourselves.
- Use it in idiomatic expressions about wellbeing. Example: We haven’t been ourselves since the trip.
- Use it for the editorial we, even though it represents one writer’s opinion. Example: We consider ourselves responsible for this conclusion.
That last point trips people up. Editorial “we” is grammatically plural, even though it’s stylistically singular in spirit — so it still takes “ourselves,” not “ourself.”
Common Mistakes Table
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| We hold ourself to high standards (casual context) | We hold ourselves to high standards | Everyday “we” needs a plural reflexive |
| We should take pride in ourself | We should take pride in ourselves | Group subject requires plural form |
| We position ourself as leaders | We position ourselves as leaders | Editorial “we” still takes “ourselves” |
| The team congratulated ourself | The team congratulated ourselves | Multiple people = plural pronoun |
Special Contexts Where ‘Ourself’ Makes Sense
“Ourself” isn’t wrong across the board — it just has a narrow lane. It fits when a single voice is speaking with institutional or ceremonial authority, and using “ourselves” would incorrectly suggest multiple individuals.
Common special contexts include:
- Royal or monarchical speech, where a sovereign represents both themselves and the crown.
- Formal religious or ceremonial declarations, echoing older traditions of unified singular authority.
- Historical or literary writing, especially when quoting or imitating older English styles.
- Rare philosophical or stylistic writing, where a singular collective identity is intentionally emphasized.
Examples of Correct “Ourself” Usage Today
- “We dedicate ourself to the service of this nation.” (royal or ceremonial address)
- “We comfort ourself in adversity.” (reflecting older, formal diary-style prose)
- “We hold ourself to the standards set by our founders.” (a single institutional voice, used deliberately for tone)
Outside contexts like these, most grammar checkers will flag “ourself” as archaic or incorrect — and they’re usually right to do so.
Common Misconceptions and Grammar Myths
- Myth: “Ourself” is always a mistake. Not true — it’s grammatically valid in specific formal situations, just rare.
- Myth: “Ourselves” can be used for a single person. No. Standard grammar requires “myself” for one person; “ourselves” is strictly plural.
- Myth: The two words are interchangeable stylistically. They aren’t. Swapping them changes tone and can suggest an unintended meaning, like implying multiple rulers instead of one.
- Myth: Editorial “we” always takes “ourself.” In fact, editorial “we” is plural in grammar even if singular in spirit, so “ourselves” is correct.
Practical Tips for Correct Pronoun Usage
- Check the subject first. If “we” means multiple people, always choose “ourselves.”
- Ask if you’re speaking with institutional authority as one voice. If yes, and the context is genuinely formal or ceremonial, “ourself” may fit.
- Read the sentence aloud. If “ourself” sounds unnatural or pretentious, switch to “ourselves.”
- Don’t trust autocorrect blindly. Grammar tools often flag “ourself” outright, but confirm it fits your specific context before changing it.
Mnemonic Trick
Remember: “One royal voice, ourself. Many regular folks, ourselves.” If you can picture a crown, “ourself” might work. If you’re picturing a team, a group, or everyday people, “ourselves” is your answer — every time.
FAQs
What is the difference between “ourselves” and “ourself”?
“Ourselves” is the standard plural reflexive pronoun for groups, while “ourself” is a rare singular form used mainly in royal, ceremonial, or historical contexts.
When should I use “ourselves”?
Use “ourselves” whenever “we” refers to more than one person, including in editorial and everyday writing — this covers nearly all modern usage.
Is “ourself” grammatically correct?
Yes, but only in narrow formal contexts like royal speech, ceremonial declarations, or historical writing; elsewhere it’s considered nonstandard.
Can I use “ourselves” for singular subjects?
No. A single person should use “myself,” since “ourselves” always signals a plural subject.
Why do monarchs and editors use “ourself”?
Monarchs traditionally used “we” to represent both themselves and their office, requiring the singular reflexive “ourself” to match that single institutional voice.
Conclusion
The difference between “ourselves” and “ourself” comes down to one simple test: how many people does “we” actually represent? For nearly every sentence you’ll ever write, “ourselves” is the safe, correct, and modern choice. Reserve “ourself” for the rare moments when a single voice — a monarch, an institution, or a ceremonial tradition — speaks with plural authority but singular identity. Keep this distinction in mind, and you’ll never trip over these pronouns again.
