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MeggPhaggSioux Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
OUT FOR THEMSELVES
"Everyone is out for themselves."
"Everyone is for themselves."
How are they different?
"Everyone is for themselves."
How are they different?
Top answer
The first is the standard: it means that everyone is trying to take care of themselves primarily. The second one is an unusual construction, but it presumably means the same.
- The first is the standard: it means that everyone is trying to take care of themselves primarily.
- The second one is an unusual construction, but it presumably means the same.
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4 Answers
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The first is the standard: it means that everyone is trying to take care of themselves primarily. The second one is an unusual construction, but it presumably means the same.
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http://articles.latimes.com/1994-02-17/news/mn-24097_1_unwritten-rules
"Except for the occasional flash of grace or compassion, it's everyone for themselves these days as the region cleans up the rubble and attempts to carry on."
"Except for the occasional flash of grace or compassion, it's everyone for themselves these days as the region cleans up the rubble and attempts to carry on."
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No, 'everyone for themselves' is not wrong. I don't think they mean precisely the same thing. In these two sentences:
'everyone for themselves' = everyone take care of themselves.
'everyone is out for themselves' = everyone is trying to get an advantage for themselves.
The second is more 'selfish'. On the other hand, the difference may be just in the contexts and not
'everyone for themselves' = everyone take care of themselves.
'everyone is out for themselves' = everyone is trying to get an advantage for themselves.
The second is more 'selfish'. On the other hand, the difference may be just in the contexts and not
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