Reading Theme:
Yourself: Definition, Pronunciation, and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：your own self (yourself)
yourself
/jɔːrˈself/
pron.
The word you use when you do something to or for you.
your own self
➕
/jɔːr oʊn sɛlf/
pron.
Used as the object of a verb or preposition when the person being addressed is also the person doing the action.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Your (possessive of you) + self (one's own being).
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'your' + 'self' = the person you are. When you do something to you, it's yourself.
📖 Example
You should be really proud of yourself for finishing that difficult project.
You should be really proud of yourself for finishing that difficult project.
🔗 Collocations
hurt yourself – to cause physical or emotional pain to oneself
teach yourself – to learn something without a teacher
introduce yourself – to tell someone your name for the first time
🔄 Synonyms
thyself (pron.) – an archaic or biblical form of yourself
🌱 Derivatives
yourselves (pron.) – plural of yourself
📖 Cultural Story
Formed in Middle English from possessive 'your' + 'self' ('one's own person'). Used since 1300s for reflexive actions and emphasis.
Meaning 2：you in person (yourself)
yourself
/jɔːrˈself/
pron.
Used to emphasize that it is you and no one else.
you in person
➕
/juː ɪn ˈpɜːrsən/
pron.
Used to emphasize that the person being addressed is the one who does or experiences something, not anyone else.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Did you yourself see the manager sign the document?
Did you yourself see the manager sign the document?
🔗 Collocations
did it yourself – performed the action without assistance
heard it yourself – received the information directly
you yourself – used to emphasize that you personally are involved
🔄 Synonyms
personally (adv.) – done by you rather than someone else
in person (adv. phrase) – with your own physical presence
your very self (phrase) – emphasizing the exact person
🌱 Derivatives
yourselves (pron.) – plural of yourself
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