themselves

plural pronoun

them·selves

t͟həm-ˈselvz,

t͟hem-

: those identical ones that are they compare they sense 1

—used reflexively, for emphasis, or in absolute constructions

nations that govern themselvesthey themselves were presentthemselves busy, they disliked idleness in others

: himself or herself : himself, herself

—used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent

nobody can call themselves oppressed—

Leonard Wibberley

: their normal, healthy, or sane condition

were themselves again after a night's rest

Can they be used as an indefinite subject?: Usage Guide

They used as an indefinite subject (sense 2) is sometimes objected to on the grounds that it does not have an antecedent. Not every pronoun requires an antecedent, however. The indefinite they is used in all varieties of contexts and is standard.

Can they, their, them, and themselves be used as singular pronouns?: Usage Guide

They, their, them, themselves: English lacks a common-gender third person singular pronoun that can be used to refer to indefinite pronouns (such as everyone, anyone, someone). Writers and speakers have supplied this lack by using the plural pronouns.

and every one to rest themselves betake —

William Shakespeare

I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly —

Jane Austen

it is too hideous for anyone in their senses to buy —

W. H. Auden

The plural pronouns have also been put to use as pronouns of indefinite number to refer to singular nouns that stand for many persons.

'tis meet that some more audience than a mother, since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear the speech —

William Shakespeare

a person can't help their birth —

W. M. Thackeray

no man goes to battle to be killed.—But they do get killed —

G. B. Shaw

The use of they, their, them, and themselves as pronouns of indefinite gender and indefinite number is well established in speech and writing, even in literary and formal contexts. In recent years, these pronouns have also been adopted by individuals whose gender identity is nonbinary, as illustrated in sense 3d above.

单词	themselves
释义	themselves plural pronoun them·selves t͟həm-ˈselvz, t͟hem- 1 a : those identical ones that are they compare they sense 1 —used reflexively, for emphasis, or in absolute constructions nations that govern themselvesthey themselves were presentthemselves busy, they disliked idleness in others b : himself or herself : himself, herself —used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent nobody can call themselves oppressed—Leonard Wibberley 2 : their normal, healthy, or sane condition were themselves again after a night's rest Can they be used as an indefinite subject?: Usage Guide They used as an indefinite subject (sense 2) is sometimes objected to on the grounds that it does not have an antecedent. Not every pronoun requires an antecedent, however. The indefinite they is used in all varieties of contexts and is standard. Can they, their, them, and themselves be used as singular pronouns?: Usage Guide They, their, them, themselves: English lacks a common-gender third person singular pronoun that can be used to refer to indefinite pronouns (such as everyone, anyone, someone). Writers and speakers have supplied this lack by using the plural pronouns. and every one to rest themselves betake —William Shakespeare I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly —Jane Austen it is too hideous for anyone in their senses to buy —W. H. Auden The plural pronouns have also been put to use as pronouns of indefinite number to refer to singular nouns that stand for many persons. 'tis meet that some more audience than a mother, since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear the speech —William Shakespeare a person can't help their birth —W. M. Thackeray no man goes to battle to be killed.—But they do get killed —G. B. Shaw The use of they, their, them, and themselves as pronouns of indefinite gender and indefinite number is well established in speech and writing, even in literary and formal contexts. In recent years, these pronouns have also been adopted by individuals whose gender identity is nonbinary, as illustrated in sense 3d above. Word History First Known Use 13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Phrases Containing themselves all to yourself/himself/herself/themselves the facts speak for themselves speak for themselves to yourself/himself/herself/themselves express itself/themselves take themselves too seriously all to yourself/himself/herself/themselves the facts speak for themselves speak for themselves to yourself/himself/herself/themselves express itself/themselves take themselves too seriously Kids Definition themselves pronoun them·selves t͟həm-ˈselvz t͟hem- 1 : their own selves nations that govern themselves they themselves were present 2 : their normal or healthy condition were themselves again after a nights rest
随便看	churchwoman churchwomen churchy churchyard churchyard beetle churchyards churel churinga churingas churl churlish homogeneous reaction homogeneous reactor homogeneous roof homogeneously homogeneousness homogeneousnesses homogenesis homogenetic homogenetical homogenies homogenisation homogenisation, homogenise homogenisations homogenise

themselves

plural pronoun

Word History

Phrases Containing themselves

Kids Definition