Have you ever been baffled by whether the word “themselves” is a noun or a verb? It’s a puzzling word because it has the capacity to function as both, depending on the context. It’s like one of those optical illusions that can look like two different images, depending on how you view it.
This linguistic conundrum has perplexed many people, including English language learners and native speakers alike. Is “themselves” a noun when it refers to a group of individuals, or a verb when it reflects actions that are carried out by those individuals? The answer to this question is not as straightforward as you might think.
In this article, we will explore the multifaceted nature of this curious word. We will delve into the nuances of its usage in different contexts to better understand whether it functions as a noun, a verb, or both. Whether you’re a language enthusiast, a writer, or simply someone seeking to unravel the mysteries of the English language, you’re in for a treat. So buckle up, and let’s take a deep dive into the world of “themselves.”
Different Types of Nouns
Nouns are a fundamental part of speech. They are words used to refer to people, places, things, and abstract ideas. Nouns are one of the eight parts of speech, and they can be further divided into different types.
- Proper Nouns – these are nouns that refer to specific individuals, places, or entities. They begin with a capital letter and are always capitalized.
- Common Nouns – these are general nouns, not specific individuals, places, or entities. Examples include books, cities, and dogs.
- Concrete Nouns – these are nouns that refer to something that can be perceived physically. Examples include tree, house, and car.
- Abstract Nouns – these are nouns that refer to ideas, emotions, or concepts that cannot be perceived physically. Examples include love, anger, and happiness.
- Countable Nouns – these are nouns that can be counted. Examples include pencils, chairs, and dogs.
- Uncountable Nouns – these are nouns that cannot be counted or made into plurals. Examples include water, rice, and air.
Knowing these different types of nouns is important for writers and speakers. Proper use and identification of nouns can enhance communication and clarity in writing or speaking. In addition, understanding the type of noun can aid in proper verb agreement and sentence structure.
Common vs Proper Nouns
One of the most fundamental concepts in the English language is understanding the difference between common and proper nouns. A noun is a part of speech that refers to a person, place, thing, idea, or concept. Common nouns refer to general or nonspecific people, places, or things, whereas proper nouns refer to specific people, places, or things. In terms of grammatical role, common nouns can serve as subjects, objects, or modifiers, while proper nouns generally serve as the subject of a sentence or clause.
- Common Nouns: Examples of common nouns include words like dog, city, and book. These nouns do not refer to a specific individual or entity but rather a class or group of similar things. They are generally not capitalized unless they are used at the beginning of a sentence or as part of a title.
- Proper Nouns: Proper nouns, on the other hand, refer to specific individuals, places, or things. Examples include names like John, Paris, and The Great Gatsby. These nouns are always capitalized regardless of their position in a sentence, and they often act as the subject of the sentence they appear in.
It is important to understand the difference between common and proper nouns because different rules apply to each. For example, when using a common noun, it can be modified with adjectives or other descriptive words. However, when using a proper noun, it should not be modified because it already refers to a specific entity. Additionally, common nouns can be made into proper nouns by capitalizing them and adding more specific information, such as “dog” becoming “Golden Retriever” or “book” becoming “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
In summary, while both common and proper nouns are important parts of the English language, they serve different roles and have different rules that govern their usage. Understanding the difference between these two types of nouns is a fundamental step towards improving your writing, communication, and overall language skills.
Nouns vs Pronouns
As we delve into the topic of whether “themselves” is a noun or verb, it’s important to first understand the basic difference between nouns and pronouns. Simply put, a noun is a person, place, thing, or idea, while a pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence.
- Nouns: Examples of nouns include “book,” “dog,” “mountain,” and “happiness.” These are all people, places, things, or ideas that can be named.
- Pronouns: Examples of pronouns include “he,” “she,” “it,” and “they.” These are all words that take the place of a noun in a sentence, making it less repetitive.
Now, when it comes to “themselves,” it’s important to note that it can actually be used as both a noun and a pronoun.
As a noun, “themselves” refers to the plural form of “themself,” which is a reflexive noun that describes someone or something acting on itself. For example, “The children watched themselves in the mirror” uses “themselves” as a noun, as it refers to the children acting upon themselves.
As a pronoun, “themselves” takes the place of a noun in a sentence while still referring back to a particular noun. For example, “They made the decision themselves” uses “themselves” as a pronoun, replacing the specific people who made the decision and indicating that they did so without help or influence from others.
Overall, it’s important to recognize that “themselves” can be both a noun and a pronoun depending on the usage in a sentence.
Conclusion
In summary, while the difference between nouns and pronouns may seem simple, it’s important to understand the distinction in order to fully comprehend the usage of words like “themselves.” By recognizing that “themselves” can be both a noun and a pronoun depending on the context in which it’s used, we can more easily understand the meaning of the sentence in which it appears.
| Noun | Pronoun |
|---|---|
| Person, place, thing, or idea | Word that takes the place of a noun |
| “Book,” “dog,” “mountain,” “happiness” | “He,” “she,” “it,” “they” |
Ultimately, becoming fluent in the use of nouns and pronouns is critical to crafting clear, concise sentences that accurately convey the intended meaning.
Identifying subjects in a sentence
In order to determine whether “themselves” is a noun or verb, we must first understand how to identify the subject in a sentence. The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb in a sentence. Identifying the subject is crucial in determining proper sentence structure and ensuring clarity in our writing. Here are four ways to identify the subject in a sentence:
- Look for the verb first: The subject is usually the noun or pronoun that comes before the verb in the sentence. For example, in the sentence “The dog barked at the mailman,” “the dog” is the subject because it performs the action of barking.
- Ask “who” or “what” is performing the action: This method is particularly useful for sentences that have more complex structures. For example, in the sentence “After finishing their homework, the students went to bed,” the subject is “the students” because they are the ones performing the action of going to bed.
- Identify the “doer” of the action: The subject is often the noun or pronoun that could be replaced with “he” or “she” in the sentence. For example, in the sentence “Maria cleaned the kitchen,” “Maria” is the subject because she is the one performing the action of cleaning.
- Pay attention to word order: In some cases, the subject can come after the verb in the sentence. For example, in the sentence “There are many parks in the city,” “parks” is the subject, even though it comes after the verb “are.”
Applying subject identification to “themselves”
Now that we understand how to identify the subject in a sentence, we can use this knowledge to determine whether “themselves” is being used as a noun or verb. If “themselves” is the subject of a sentence, it is being used as a noun. For example, in the sentence “Themselves are responsible for their own actions,” “themselves” is the subject and therefore a noun. On the other hand, if “themselves” is not the subject of the sentence but is being used to refer back to the subject, it is being used as a reflexive pronoun. For example, in the sentence “They taught themselves how to play the guitar,” “they” is the subject, and “themselves” is a reflexive pronoun referring back to “they.”
| Subject as Noun | Subject as Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| “Themselves are responsible for their own actions.” | “They taught themselves how to play the guitar.” |
| “The students themselves organized the fundraiser.” | “She told herself that she could do it.” |
| “Themselves on stage, the band gave a phenomenal performance.” | “He reminded himself to pick up groceries on the way home.” |
By understanding how to identify the subject in a sentence, we can determine whether “themselves” is a noun or reflexive pronoun and use it correctly to ensure clear and effective writing.
Infinitive Verbs
Infinitives are verb forms that are usually preceded by the word “to.” They are generally not used as the main verb in a sentence, but rather as a complement to another verb. The infinitive can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
- As a noun: The infinitive can function as the subject of a sentence. For example, “To travel is my passion.”
- As an adjective: The infinitive can describe a noun. For example, “The best way to learn is by doing.”
- As an adverb: The infinitive can modify a verb or adjective. For example, “I need to run faster.”
Infinitives can also be used in phrases that express purpose, result, or intention. For example, “I went to the store to buy some milk.”
Here is a table of examples of common infinitive verbs:
| Infinitive | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| to be | She wants to be a doctor. |
| to go | We need to go to the store. |
| to eat | He likes to eat sushi. |
| to read | I need to read this book for my class. |
Overall, infinitive verbs are a versatile part of speech that can be used in various ways to add depth and complexity to language. Whether used as a noun, adjective, or adverb, infinitives can greatly enhance the expressiveness of a sentence.
Gerunds
In English grammar, a gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. It is created by adding -ing to the end of a verb, and it can be used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. One common mistake that people make is confusing the gerund with the present participle. While both forms look similar, the gerund functions as a noun while the present participle functions as a verb or adjective.
Uses of Gerunds
- As a subject of a sentence: Swimming is my favorite sport.
- As an object of a verb: I enjoy playing the guitar.
- As an object of a preposition: He is good at speaking in public.
Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds and infinitives can both be used as noun-like structures in a sentence. However, there are certain verbs that require either a gerund or an infinitive following them. Some verbs can be followed by either, depending on the meaning of the sentence.
Verbs that are followed by a gerund:
- Enjoy: I enjoy playing tennis.
- Avoid: She avoids eating meat.
- Consider: They considered buying a new car.
Verbs that are followed by an infinitive:
- Decide: He decided to take a break.
- Promise: She promised to call me later.
- Refuse: They refused to work overtime.
Gerunds in a Sentence
Gerunds can be used in various ways in a sentence, and they can help to add detail, emphasis, or specificity to a statement. Here are some examples:
- Swimming in the cool water, she felt refreshed.
- The best part of the job is meeting new people.
- Running a marathon takes a lot of training and dedication.
Common Gerunds
| Eating | Smiling | Talking |
| Walking | Running | Laughing |
| Reading | Writing | Playing |
Using gerunds in your writing can help to make your sentences more interesting and dynamic. Understanding how gerunds work and how to use them effectively can greatly improve your English skills and help you to communicate more effectively.
Participles
Participles are words derived from verbs that can function as adjectives or as parts of verb tenses. They describe the action or state of being. One example is the word “running,” which can be used as a present participle (e.g. “I am running to the store”) or as a past participle (e.g. “I have run to the store”).
Participles are also used in phrases, such as “running water,” where “running” describes the water’s motion. They can also be used to modify nouns, such as in the sentence “the crying baby.”
Here are some other examples of participles:
- Swimming dolphins
- Broken vase
- Boiling water
Present Participles and Past Participles
Present participles end in -ing and describe an ongoing action. For example, “He is swimming in the pool.” Past participles, on the other hand, usually end in -ed or -en and describe a completed action. For example, “I have eaten dinner.”
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Some past participles do not end in -ed, such as “written” or “swum.”
Regular and Irregular Participles
Most English verbs form their past participles by adding -ed to the base form of the verb. For example, “walk” becomes “walked” and “talk” becomes “talked.” These are called regular participles.
However, there are many verbs that form their past participles in irregular ways. For example, “go” becomes “gone” and “sing” becomes “sung.” These are called irregular participles.
| Regular Verbs | Past Participle | Irregular Verbs | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk | Walked | Go | Gone |
| Talk | Talked | Sing | Sung |
| Play | Played | Write | Written |
It’s important to memorize irregular participles as they do not follow the usual -ed pattern.
Is Themselves a Noun or Verb?
Q: Is themselves a noun or a verb?
A: Themselves is a reflexive pronoun, which is a type of pronoun, not a noun or a verb.
Q: Can themselves be used as a noun?
A: No, themselves is not a noun. It is only used as a reflexive pronoun, which means it is used to refer back to the subject of the sentence.
Q: How is themselves used as a reflexive pronoun?
A: Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence refer to the same person or thing. For example, “They saw themselves in the mirror.”
Q: Can themselves be used as a subject or object?
A: Yes, themselves can be used as both subject and object. For example, “They hurt themselves” (object) and “Themselves are the only ones who can solve this problem” (subject).
Q: Is themselves always plural?
A: Yes, themselves is always plural. It is used to refer back to plural subjects only.
Q: Can a singular person use themselves instead of himself or herself?
A: Technically, no. Themselves should be used only with plural subjects. However, using singular they and themselves has become more accepted as inclusive language in recent years.
Closing Thoughts
Thanks for reading about whether themselves is a noun or a verb. While it may seem confusing at first, remember that themselves is simply a reflexive pronoun that is used to refer back to the subject of a sentence. If you have any more questions about language, feel free to visit our site again in the future. Happy learning!