I need your help with "on my own", "myself", and "by myself", please

Question

Hi there teachers,

I need your help with a topic which probably has been discussed numerous times. It is, the difference between "on my own", "myself", and "by myself". Could someone please explain the difference between them to me? I have been very confused about them. I am not sure when to use which.

For example, what is the difference between "on my own", "myself", and "by myself" in the following sentences, please?

- I decided to do it on my own.

- I decided to do it myself.

- I decided to do it by myself.

Thank you all.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Laboriousdifference ... in the following sentences

They all suggest "without help", so I regard them as alternate ways of saying the same thing.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

The three mean the same thing, and the three sentences, "I decided to do it on my own/myself/by myself.", mean the same thing. However, there are certain set expressions where one of the three is used to the exclusion of the other two. For example:

I left home and struck out on my own. ("Myself" and "by myself" cannot be used here.)

Don't bother me, I want to be by myself. ("On my own" and "myself" cannot be used here.)

I'm sick of following all these rules, I want to be myself. ("On my own" and "by myself" cannot be used here.)

Jeff and I got divorced and I'm on my own now. ("Myself" cannot be used here. "By myself" is possible, but "on my own" is the usual one.)

CalifJim · Answer

Here are some sentences I found on fraze.it, some of them modified to remove incorrect grammar. The first choice was the original. The others, if any, are also possible, though not always as good as the original. If there are several choices, they are listed so that the worst is last.

I ended up leasing, which is a good opportunity to see if I can do it [on my own / by myself / myself].
Yes, I did stand-up for a couple of years [on my own] and I really didn't like it.
They told me to figure it out [on my own / myself / by myself] and take responsibility for my spending.
I learned how to make everything I had been baking [on my own / myself], but the right way.
But leaving that job at Phillips and going off [on my own] was the starting point.
There were songs I could really relate which made me feel I wasn't [on my own / by myself].
Better now, all by my own decisions, which I am just learning to make [on my own / by myself / myself].
Life is for living and it was only when I was [on my own / by myself] that I started to write.
___________

I'd bought one of the promenade tickets for a tenner, and I was there [by myself / on my own].
I was used to a big family and suddenly I was in this big empty house [by myself / on my own].
In fact, until I get [by myself], I'm probably not going to come to grips with it.
I learned more living in the real world [by myself / on my own / myself] than I ever did in university.
All I meant is that I don't know how to write a complete article, all [by myself / on my own].
But by the time I was old enough to go to the library [by myself / myself / on my own], things changed.
No, it was a way of being off [by myself / on my own] and not getting involved with my family.
Hurting in my heart, shattered by divorce, sitting in a big house all [by myself / on my own].
______________

I was eager to see it [myself], and I think it's one of the year's 10 best movies.
I [myself] am a Catholic, but even I don't have the audacity to make such a claim.
Well mate, it doesn't worry me if the NHS wasn't around, I would just do it [myself / on my own / by myself].
For that reason, I'm unwilling to draw conclusions until I read the book [myself].
So I've tried to build a synchronous business [myself], and I know how hard it is.
[Myself], I think that's quite a stretch, and I'd tell the keeper tough crunchies.
Coming from Yorkshire [myself], I just don't know why it didn't ever get an award.
As an Indian [myself], I have the right to know how your aid to directed to India.
If they will improve energy efficiency very much, I may try to make some [myself / on my own].
Can I do something to get rid of them [myself / by myself / on my own], or do I need to see a skin doctor?
Indeed, I remember a charming Bohemian cafe where I [myself] was once thus undone.

Note that there are some uses of 'myself' that cannot be replaced by the other two expressions.

CJ

I need your help with "on my own", "myself", and "by myself", please

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