American English
/ðm̩ˈsɛlvz/
2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
used as the object of a verb when it refers to the same people, animals, or things as the subject
The first part of “themselves” can have a short, clear vowel (/ðɛmˈsɛɫvz/) or be very quick, almost without a vowel (/ðm̩ˈsɛɫvz/). The main stress is on “selves.”
used as the object of a verb when it refers to the same people, animals, or things as the subject
The children washed themselves.
They blamed themselves for the mistake.
Use themselves, not them, when the same people do and receive the action.
hurt themselves · introduce themselves · blame themselves · teach themselves
[subject] + verb + themselves
used to emphasize that the people or things referred to, rather than someone else, did something
They themselves chose the winner.
The players themselves organized the event.
They themselves + verb + object
[noun phrase] + themselves + verb + object
alone or without help from other people
The children built the fort by themselves.
with one another within a group
The friends shared the money among themselves.