defines themselves vs define themselves

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Defines themselves' is used when referring to a singular subject, while 'define themselves' is used when referring to a plural subject or in a general context. The choice between them depends on the subject being singular or plural.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 790 views

This phrase is correct when referring to a singular subject defining themselves.

"defines themselves"

This phrase is used when talking about a singular subject, such as 'He defines himself as a leader.'

Examples:

She defines herself as an artist.
The author defines himself as a storyteller.

Show examples from the web [+]

Most people define themselves by this finite body.
Only the ineffectual define themselves by their parents.
We should also respect the way in which institutions define themselves.
We're promoting the idea that people with Down's Syndrome need to reclaim their own identities in order to define themselves.
Maybe young people are interested in what's new, but... they want to define themselves.
In the context of undertakings' freedom to define themselves and taking account of EU competition rules, this phrase should be deleted.
Member states are free to define themselves as belonging to either the developed or the developing group.
In fact many people, as we can see from the low turnouts, no longer define themselves in political terms and therefore disengage from the political process.
In particular a mere 47 % of European citizens see themselves both as citizens of their country and of Europe, while the rest define themselves only by their national identity.
We appeared surprised at the behaviors of those who define themselves by the size of the tick on their shoes, yet acquisition has been the narrative we have offered.
And for young women, looking to define themselves and their dreams, you ask...
But the solution must include treating political democratic forces in Europe equally, including those which define themselves otherwise and which, for example, are critical of the EU, and not excluding them from this problem-solving process.
At the moment, Member States can define night time themselves.
To ensure compliance with, and the consistency of, the traditional specialities guaranteed, producers organised into groups should themselves define specific characteristics in a product specification.
I believe that the regions should specialise in smart and green developments and define for themselves a set of innovation priorities based on the EU's objectives and their needs, and channel Community resources into these priorities which have been identified.
Whatever one may think about this, it is for the Member States themselves to define what is meant by services in the public interest.
In fact, the five large States, which represent approximately three quarters of the Community GDP, want to be able to define monetary policy themselves.
Under the plan, the senior officials will themselves define the calendar of work, topics to explore and target outputs.
To ensure that traditional specialities guaranteed comply with their specification and are consistent, producers organised into groups should themselves define the product in a specification.
When companies and organisations themselves define what they think is fair and then offer the consumer products produced according to the criteria thus defined, this is a demonstration of consumer power, which is a very good thing.

Alternatives:

defines himself
defines herself

This phrase is correct when referring to a plural subject or in a general context.

"define themselves"

This phrase is used when talking about plural subjects or in a general sense, such as 'They define themselves as activists.'

Examples:

Students define themselves through their achievements.
People define themselves based on their beliefs.

Show examples from the web [+]

Most people define themselves by this finite body.
In fact many people, as we can see from the low turnouts, no longer define themselves in political terms and therefore disengage from the political process.
Maybe young people are interested in what's new, but... they want to define themselves.
But the solution must include treating political democratic forces in Europe equally, including those which define themselves otherwise and which, for example, are critical of the EU, and not excluding them from this problem-solving process.
We should also respect the way in which institutions define themselves.
We're promoting the idea that people with Down's Syndrome need to reclaim their own identities in order to define themselves.
In the context of undertakings' freedom to define themselves and taking account of EU competition rules, this phrase should be deleted.
Member states are free to define themselves as belonging to either the developed or the developing group.
We appeared surprised at the behaviors of those who define themselves by the size of the tick on their shoes, yet acquisition has been the narrative we have offered.
And for young women, looking to define themselves and their dreams, you ask...
In particular a mere 47 % of European citizens see themselves both as citizens of their country and of Europe, while the rest define themselves only by their national identity.
Only the ineffectual define themselves by their parents.

Alternatives:

define themselves
define himself
define herself

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defines themselves vs define themselves