yourself

Yourself can be used as an intensive pronoun (for emphasis) or as a reflexive pronoun (to reflect an action back onto the subject you).

  • Jay prefers to watch the baseball game, but what would you yourself prefer to do? [intensive]
  • You can give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. [reflexive]

You can also use yourself for indicating well-being.

  • Are you feeling all right? You don’t seem to be yourself today.

Avoid writing yourself when the pronoun you is called for.

  • I was going to give the candy to you (not yourself) and Jill.

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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada

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