Use Itself in a Sentence, Exploring the Meaning and Usage of “Itself” in the English Language

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Discover the definition and rules of using “itself” in English. Explore its various contexts and learn how to construct sentences with 20 sample examples.

Use Itself in a Sentence

Definition of Itself

“Itself” is a pronoun in the English language that refers to something previously mentioned or implied, particularly when that thing is acting on or referring to itself. It is used to indicate that an action or state applies to the subject in question without involving anyone or anything else. “Itself” is the reflexive form of the pronoun “it,” and it is commonly used to emphasize or draw attention to the subject’s self-contained nature or independent actions. The term “itself” can be used to refer to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract concepts. For example, “The cat groomed itself” or “The book fell off the shelf by itself.”

How is “Itself” used in English? What are the rules of use of “Itself”?

In English, “itself” is primarily used as a reflexive pronoun. Here are some rules and guidelines for using “itself” correctly:

  1. Reflexive pronoun: “Itself” is used when an action or state applies to the subject itself, emphasizing its self-contained nature or independent actions. For example:
    • “The cat licked itself.”
    • “The computer fixed itself.”
  2. Singular neuter antecedent: “Itself” is used when referring to a singular, gender-neutral noun or concept that is acting upon or referring to itself. For example:
    • “The flower opened by itself.”
    • “The idea presented itself to me.”
  3. Emphasizing uniqueness or singularity: “Itself” can be used to emphasize that something is distinct or unique. For example:
    • “The hotel claims to be the tallest building in the city itself.”
    • “The painting was a work of art in itself.”
  4. Reciprocal action: “Itself” can be used in reciprocal actions when multiple subjects are acting upon each other. For example:
    • “The two snakes coiled around each other, each biting itself.”
  5. After prepositions: “Itself” can follow certain prepositions to indicate an action or state affecting the subject itself. For example:
    • “The dog buried the bone by itself.”
    • “The tree stands by itself.”

It’s important to note that “itself” is used for singular subjects, while the reflexive pronoun “themselves” is used for plural subjects. Additionally, “itself” is not typically used to refer to humans. In such cases, gender-specific reflexive pronouns like “himself” or “herself” are used.

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How to use the word Itself in a sentence?

Here are 20 sample sentences demonstrating the use of the word “itself”:

  1. The book fell off the shelf by itself.
  2. The flower blooms by itself without any help.
  3. The car parked itself using the automated parking feature.
  4. The software program updates itself regularly.
  5. The laptop shut down suddenly; it must have restarted itself.
  6. The baby discovered its reflection in the mirror and giggled at itself.
  7. The problem resolved itself without any intervention.
  8. The cat groomed itself meticulously.
  9. The wind blew the door open, but it closed itself with a loud bang.
  10. The tree stood tall, casting a shadow on the ground below it.
  11. The movie was a masterpiece in itself, receiving critical acclaim.
  12. The robot cleaned the room all by itself.
  13. The river carved its path through the mountains, shaping the landscape.
  14. The building collapsed upon itself during the earthquake.
  15. The puzzle solved itself once I rearranged the pieces.
  16. The company developed a reputation for innovation and quality in the industry itself.
  17. The clock chimed on the hour, keeping time with precision.
  18. The iceberg floated in the ocean, majestic in its size and beauty.
  19. The software crashed and then restarted itself automatically.
  20. The baby tried to feed itself, clumsily holding a spoon for the first time.

These sentences demonstrate various contexts in which “itself” is used, such as reflexive actions, independent operations, natural phenomena, and emphasizing uniqueness or singularity.

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