Yourself vs. Yourselves – Which is Correct?

The choice between yourself and yourselves hinges entirely on the number of people you are addressing. Use yourself when referring to a single person, as it is the singular reflexive and intensive pronoun. Use yourselves when referring to multiple people, as it is the plural form. Both are correct, depending on the context.

Yourself or Yourselves – Which is Correct?

Both “yourself” and “yourselves” are grammatically correct English words, serving as reflexive and intensive pronouns. The fundamental difference lies in number: “yourself” is singular, while “yourselves” is plural. You use “yourself” when the subject of the sentence is a single “you” (singular), and “yourselves” when the subject is a plural “you” (referring to more than one person). Misuse often stems from failing to identify whether the “you” in question is singular or plural.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The easiest way to remember whether to use “yourself” or “yourselves” is to think about the corresponding subject pronoun:

• If you are referring to one person, you would typically use “you” (singular). In this case, use yourself, which ends with “-self.”
• If you are referring to multiple people, you would typically use “you” (plural). In this case, use yourselves, which ends with “-selves.”

Think of it this way: “myself” (one person) and “ourselves” (many people). The same singular/plural pattern applies to “yourself” and “yourselves.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Yourself	Pronoun (Reflexive/Intensive)	Refers to the singular “you” as the object of a verb or preposition, or for emphasis.	Did you hurt yourself? You should be proud of yourself.
Yourselves	Pronoun (Reflexive/Intensive)	Refers to the plural “you” as the object of a verb or preposition, or for emphasis.	Please help yourselves to the food. You all outdid yourselves.

How to Use Yourself

“Yourself” is the singular second-person reflexive or intensive pronoun.

• Reflexive Use: It reflects the action of the verb back to the singular subject “you.” This means the subject and object are the same person.
• Intensive Use: It is used to emphasize the singular subject “you,” often appearing immediately after the subject or at the end of a clause. It can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.

Example 1 (Reflexive): You should take care of yourself during these stressful times.

Example 2 (Intensive): You yourself are responsible for your decisions.

Example 3 (Reflexive, after preposition): Treat yourself to a nice meal tonight.

Etymology of the word Yourself

The word “yourself” traces its roots back to Old English. It is a compound word formed from “your” (from Old English ēower) and “self” (from Old English self, seolf). The addition of “self” or “selves” to pronouns like “my,” “your,” “him,” etc., developed to create reflexive and intensive forms, emphasizing the identity of the person or people involved.

How to Use Yourselves

“Yourselves” is the plural second-person reflexive or intensive pronoun.

• Reflexive Use: It reflects the action of the verb back to the plural subject “you.” Both the plural subject and object refer to the same group of people.
• Intensive Use: It is used to emphasize the plural subject “you,” often appearing immediately after the subject or at the end of a clause. Like its singular counterpart, it can be removed without altering the fundamental meaning.

Example 1 (Reflexive): You should all introduce yourselves to the new team members.

Example 2 (Intensive): You yourselves must decide the best course of action for your project.

Example 3 (Reflexive, after preposition): Be careful not to overexert yourselves during the marathon.

Etymology of the word Yourselves

Like “yourself,” “yourselves” is a compound word with Germanic origins. It combines “your” (from Old English ēower) with the plural form of “self,” which is “selves.” The shift from “self” to “selves” for plural forms follows a common English pluralization pattern (e.g., wolf/wolves, knife/knives), indicating a reference to multiple individuals.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical concepts can help clarify the correct usage of “yourself” and “yourselves.”

• Reflexive Pronouns: These pronouns (e.g., myself, yourself, himself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) are used when the subject and the object of a verb are the same person or thing. They are essential for clarity when an action is directed back to the doer.
• Intensive Pronouns: These pronouns have the same form as reflexive pronouns but are used for emphasis. They highlight the subject of the sentence, often appearing right after the subject or at the end of the sentence. If removed, the sentence still makes sense.
• Subject-Pronoun Agreement: This rule dictates that a pronoun must agree in number (singular or plural) with the noun or pronoun it refers to (its antecedent). For “yourself” and “yourselves,” this means ensuring the pronoun matches the singularity or plurality of the “you” being addressed.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “Know yourself.” – An ancient Greek aphorism, famously inscribed at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, emphasizing self-knowledge for a single individual.
• “You’re not going to let a little rain stop yourselves, are you?” – A coach addressing a team, implying multiple players.
• “Prepare yourself for a long journey,” the wizard advised the lone traveler.
• “Look after yourselves, everyone,” the teacher said to her departing class.
• “You yourself said it was impossible,” she reminded him, emphasizing his own words.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. Did you enjoy _____ at the party last night? (referring to one person)
2. Please introduce _____ to each other before the meeting begins. (referring to a group)
3. You should give _____ a pat on the back for a job well done. (referring to one person)
4. Help _____ to the refreshments, ladies and gentlemen. (referring to many people)
5. Don’t push _____ too hard; remember to take breaks. (referring to a group)

Answer Key

1. yourself
2. yourselves
3. yourself
4. yourselves
5. yourselves

Yourself Synonyms

Phrase/Concept	Definition/Usage Context
On your own	Independently; without assistance from others (singular).
By yourself	Alone; without the company of others (singular).
Personally	Referring to the individual person; for emphasis on “you.”

Yourselves Synonyms

Phrase/Concept	Definition/Usage Context
On your own (plural)	Independently as a group; without external assistance.
By yourselves	Alone as a group; without the company of others.
As a group	Referring to the collective individuals; for emphasis on the group “you.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can I use “yourself” when talking to a group?
No, “yourself” is strictly singular. When addressing a group, always use “yourselves.” Using “yourself” for multiple people is a common grammatical error.

Question 2: Are “yourself” and “yourselves” interchangeable?
No, they are not interchangeable. Their usage depends entirely on the number of people being addressed. “Yourself” is for one person, and “yourselves” is for more than one.

Question 3: What is the difference between a reflexive and an intensive pronoun?
Both reflexive and intensive pronouns use the same “-self” or “-selves” forms. A reflexive pronoun is essential to the sentence’s meaning, indicating the subject is also the object of the action (e.g., “She taught herself”). An intensive pronoun adds emphasis to the subject and can be removed without changing the core meaning (e.g., “She herself made the cake”).

Conclusion

Distinguishing between “yourself” and “yourselves” is straightforward once you remember the fundamental rule of number. “Yourself” is the singular form, appropriate when addressing or referring to one person. “Yourselves” is the plural form, used when addressing or referring to multiple people. By consistently applying this singular-versus-plural distinction, you can ensure your communication is clear and grammatically correct.

Pro Tip: Always consider the audience. If you’re unsure whether you’re addressing one person or a group, mentally substitute “you” with “you all” or “you alone” to clarify the correct pronoun form. Correct usage demonstrates attention to detail and enhances your professional reputation.