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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

By myself or myself?

Hello.

Recently I really became to doubt about the difference of it.

"Do it yourself/by yourself"

"I wrote a letter myself/by myself"

"Did you read this book yourself/by yourself for real?"

Thanks.
  

Top answer

The meanings are similar. Little Ivan is four years old. He just learned how to tie his shoes and he is learning to read.

  • The meanings are similar.
  • Little Ivan is four years old.
  • He just learned how to tie his shoes and he is learning to read.
  • " (I did it.
  • I am proud that I was able to do it.
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2 Answers
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The meanings are similar.

Little Ivan is four years old. He just learned how to tie his shoes and he is learning to read.

I ask him, "Who tied your shoes?"

He says, "I did it myself." (I did it. I am proud that I was able to do it. Mom did not do it for me. )

"I did it by myself." (I did not need anyone to help me.)

When someone is telling me about a
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To do something yourself is for you to do it, and not someone else.

- Can you make a sandwich for me?

- Do it yourself! (You do it; I'm not going to do it.)

You probably would not say Do it by yourself here.

This is also a way of showing that you, too, did something.

- I wrote a letter to the mayor to complain about this.

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