YOURSELVES Meaning and
Definition
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Yourselves is a pronoun used to refer to a group of people as the objects of a verb or preposition when they are also the subject of the sentence. It is the plural form of the pronoun "yourself," which is used to refer to a single individual as both the subject and object.
Yourselves is primarily used in the second person, addressing a group of people directly. It indicates that the group is being acted upon or affected by something. For example, in the sentence "You should take care of yourselves," the pronoun "yourselves" refers to the group of people being spoken to, emphasizing their individual responsibility for self-care.
The use of "yourselves" can also suggest a sense of respect or formality when addressing a group of people. It is often seen in formal or polite contexts, such as in business or professional settings, where maintaining a degree of distance or formality is desired.
In terms of grammatical structure, "yourselves" functions as a reflexive pronoun, reflecting the action of the subject back onto the subject itself. This usage implies that the group is the direct recipient of the action, taking care of themselves, looking after their own well-being, or attending to their own needs. Overall, the term "yourselves" emphasizes the self-awareness and autonomy of the group being referred to.
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A word added to you for the purpose of expressing distinction emphatically; a reciprocal pronoun.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for YOURSELVES *
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Other Common Misspellings for YOURSELVES
Etymology of YOURSELVES
The word "yourselves" is a combination of the pronoun "your" and the pronoun "selves". The pronoun "your" indicates possession or ownership, while the word "selves" is the plural form of the pronoun "self", which refers to an individual's identity or being.
The etymology of "your" can be traced back to Old English, where it was derived from the possessive pronoun "eower" or "eowre". These forms ultimately originated from the Proto-Germanic word "iwwiz", which meant "of you all".
The word "selves" is rooted in Old English and developed from the word "self". "Self" can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*se", which denotes reflexivity or self-reference.
Idioms with the word YOURSELVES
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by yourselves
The idiom "by yourselves" means to do something or accomplish a task without the help, assistance, or presence of others. It implies that a particular action or responsibility is to be taken solely by a certain group or individual, emphasizing independence and self-reliance.
Similar spelling words for YOURSELVES
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