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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
YOURSELF OR YOURSELVES
I WORK IN A MEDICAL CLINIC WITH APPROXIMATELY 40 OTHERS. MY WORK AREA IS IN A MAJOR HALLWAY IN THE CLINIC AND EMPLOYEES FREQUENTLY BRING TREATS (CANDY, CHIPS, ETC.). WE HAVE A LARGE CANDY DISH IN OUR AREA AND I PLACED A LABEL ON IT THAT READS "HELP YOURSELVES". A CO-WORKER HAS BEEN GOING AROUND THE CLINIC POINTING OUT TO EVERYONE THAT THE LABEL SHOULD READ "HELP YOURSELF". WHICH ONE OF US IS CORRECT? PLEASE TELL ME IT'S ME. THANK YOU. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 
Top answer
I personally prefer the plural, but I wouldn't call the singular incorrect. You're the one who wrote it. Are you addressing all the employees, or the individual who happens to walk up to the dish alone and read the sign?
- I personally prefer the plural, but I wouldn't call the singular incorrect.
- You're the one who wrote it.
- Are you addressing all the employees, or the individual who happens to walk up to the dish alone and read the sign?
- I suppose it's possible to argue that even in a group, each person reads the sign as an individual.
- - A.
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3 Answers
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I personally prefer the plural, but I wouldn't call the singular incorrect.
You're the one who wrote it. Are you addressing all the employees, or the individual who happens to walk up to the dish alone and read the sign?
You're the one who wrote it. Are you addressing all the employees, or the individual who happens to walk up to the dish alone and read the sign?
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It can be either - your co-worker is being picky. Point out that the "yourselves" indicates a general invitation to ALL co-workers in the plural.
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