B1Prepositions

By / With Reflexive Pronouns

What is it?

BY + reflexive pronoun means ALONE (without help or company): "I did it by myself" (I did it alone, no one helped me) / "She lives by herself" (she lives alone). This is the most common use. Other prepositions with reflexive pronouns: FOR myself/yourself (for one's own benefit); WITH myself (rare, usually "to myself" = in thoughts); TO myself/yourself (in private, mentally); ABOUT myself (concerning oneself). Key difference: BY myself = alone (independent) | WITH someone = accompanied. Don't confuse: "I did it myself" (intensive, emphasis) vs "I did it by myself" (alone, no help).

How to form it

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
BY myself (alone)	I did it by myself. / She lives by herself. / He went by himself.	I didn't do it by myself.	Did you do it by yourself?
BY myself = alone	by myself, by yourself, by himself, by herself, by ourselves, by themselves	not used	Are you alone?
TO myself (private)	I said to myself... / I kept it to myself. / She smiled to herself.	not used	not applicable
FOR myself (benefit)	I bought it for myself. / Do it for yourself. / She keeps it for herself.	not used	not applicable
ABOUT myself (concerning)	I think about myself. / Tell me about yourself. / She talked about herself.	not used	not applicable
Compare: alone vs emphasis	BY myself (alone): I did it by myself. \| INTENSIVE (emphasis): I myself did it.	not used	not applicable

• BY + reflexive = ALONE (without help/company)
• by myself, by yourself, by himself, by herself, by itself, by ourselves, by yourselves, by themselves
• BY myself = alone, no one helped | I myself = emphasis (I did it, not someone else)
• TO myself = in private, mentally (kept to myself, said to myself)
• FOR myself = for one's own benefit (bought for myself, do for yourself)
• ABOUT myself = concerning oneself (talk about myself, think about yourself)
• Don't confuse: 'I did it by myself' (alone) ≠ 'I did it myself' (emphasis)
• ON my own = alternative to BY myself (also means alone)

When to use it

1
BY + reflexive — alone, without help or company
"I live by myself." (alone) / "She did it by herself." (no help) / "He went to the movies by himself." (no company)
2
BY myself vs I myself — alone vs emphasis
ALONE: "I did it by myself." (no one helped) | EMPHASIS: "I myself saw it." (emphasis on me, removable)
3
TO + reflexive — in private, mentally, to oneself
"I said to myself..." (in thoughts) / "Keep it to yourself." (don't tell others) / "She smiled to herself." (private smile)
4
FOR + reflexive — for one's own benefit
"I bought it for myself." / "Do something for yourself." / "She made it for herself." / "Think for yourself."
5
ABOUT + reflexive — concerning oneself
"Tell me about yourself." / "I don't talk about myself." / "She thinks too much about herself." / "Don't worry about yourself."
6
Alternative: ON my/your/his own = alone
"I did it on my own." = "I did it by myself." (both mean alone) / "She lives on her own." = "She lives by herself."

Common mistakes

I did it with myself. (alone intended)

I did it by myself.

Use BY myself for alone, not WITH. (WITH = accompanied by someone else)

I did it alone myself. (redundant)

I did it by myself. OR I did it alone.

BY myself already means alone. Don't use both 'alone' and 'by myself'.

I live with myself. (alone intended)

I live by myself. OR I live alone.

Use BY myself for living alone, not WITH myself.

Quick reference

BY + reflexive = ALONE (no help/company)
by myself, by yourself, by himself, by herself, by ourselves, by themselves
BY myself = alone | I myself = emphasis (different uses)
TO myself = in private, mentally (said to myself, kept to myself)
FOR myself = for benefit (bought for myself, do for yourself)
ABOUT myself = concerning (talk about myself, think about yourself)
Alternative: on my own = by myself (both mean alone)

Natural conversation example

Discussing weekend plans

Tom

What did you do this weekend?

Lisa

I went to the movies by myself. It was nice and quiet!

Tom

You went alone? I could never do that by myself!

Lisa

Really? I like doing things for myself sometimes.

Tom

I prefer company. But I guess it's good to keep some time to yourself.

Lisa

Exactly! I said to myself: 'You need a break!' So I went.

Tom

Good for you! Maybe I should try it myself!

Practice Exercises

Complete with correct preposition + reflexive.

1.
I did it myself. (alone)
2.
I bought it myself. (benefit)
3.
Tell me yourself. (concerning)
4.
I kept it myself. (private)
5.
She lives herself. (alone)
6.
He went himself. (alone)

Bed / Home / Work / Town All Topics For With Reflexive Pronouns

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