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Riglos Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

on your own vs by yourself

Hi there!

I'd like to know the difference between these two expressions: "on your own" and "by yourself". I foyu give a talk "on your own", does it mean that you are alone in the front speaking, with no one aiding you or with no other speakers or do people always do this on their own, since you have to speak for yourself? What about giving a conference "by yourself"? Is it possible? What is the meaning here? Could you give some more examples so that I can get this straight?

Now, another possibility: Do you have to prepare the conference on your own? / Do you have to prepare the conference by yourself? Are these two questions synonymous?

Lastly, I have to turn the following separate words into questions. The context is the following: "Listen, I'm giving a presentation at a conference in a couple of weeks. I know you had to give a presentation a while ago and I just wanted to ask you how it went:

1. Do / talk / your own?

2. How long / take / prepare?

3. take questions / the end?

Which questions would you suggest?

Thanks a lot!

Mara.
  

Top answer

Hi, I'd like to know the difference between these two expressions: "on your own" and "by yourself". These expressions are very, very similar, and very often either can be used with no loss of meaning. However, there can be subtle differences, in certain contexts, where one will sound better than another.

— Clive

  • Hi, I'd like to know the difference between these two expressions: "on your own" and "by yourself".
  • These expressions are very, very similar, and very often either can be used with no loss of meaning.
  • However, there can be subtle differences, in certain contexts, where one will sound better than another.
  • A lot depends on the context.
  • by yourself Suggests 'nobody else, just that person' on your own Suggests 'without any help'.
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6 Answers
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Hi,

I'd like to know the difference between these two expressions: "on your own" and "by yourself".

These expressions are very, very similar, and very often either can be used with no loss of meaning. However, there can be subtle differences, in certain contexts, where one will sound better than another. A lot depends on the context.

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Thanks Clive! Your answer, as usual, extremely helpful and enlightening! Sorry for the mistake in "giving a conference", you'r right that it should have been giving a talk. I just got the meaning of "conference" wrong and thought these two terms were interchangeable. BTW, "conference" is a gathering of people who get together to discuss an important issue, am I right now?

So, "giving a ta
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Hi Mara,

"conference" is a gathering of people who get together to discuss an important issue, am I right now? Yes. Not always incredibly important.

So, "giving a talk on your own" and "giving a talk by yourself" would be almost equivalent? They would both mean "alone", right? Or, at least, suggest that idea. Yes. If you
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Good afternoon,

I have to deal with calls from English speaking people. I work in an insurance company. Which of the following sentences should I use please?
  • We're not leaving you on your own
  • We're not leaving you by yourself
  • We're not leaving you alone
I believe "We're not leaving you on your own" would be better as it mean
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Hi,

'On your own' is the best choice. It suggests that your company will help.

'Alone' has some other shades of meaning that make it less suitable, in my opinion.

But why use expressions that you are unsure about? Why not say eg We w
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Well it is the opportunity for me to understand the difference between the three sentences Emotion: smile
Thank you for your answer
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