Do it by themselves vs Do it themselves

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Do it by themselves' implies that the action is done independently, without any external help. 'Do it themselves' also conveys the idea of independent action, but it is more commonly used in everyday language.

Last updated: April 03, 2024 • 517 views

This phrase is correct and implies that the action is done independently, without any external help.

"Do it by themselves "

This phrase is used to emphasize that the action is performed without assistance from others. It highlights self-reliance and independence.

Examples:

Children often want to do things by themselves to show their independence.
They managed to fix the issue by themselves without any help.

Show examples from the web [+]

We cannot expect Mrs Gradin and the UCLAF unit to do it by themselves.
Magicians are not the only ones cutting women. Advertisers do it in a more subtle way, persuading them to do it by themselves.
The reason why women have not yet achieved equality, despite the fact that they have been trying for decades, is the idea that they can do it by themselves, that they do not need men.
their device to enable users to do it for themselves - by replacing the
These fundamental Revealed Verities are explained by themselves but not in themselves.
Nothing by themselves, for themselves.
Nobody comes after Jangles by themselves.
Controlled crying teaches babies to sleep by themselves.
Giant Australian squids usually live by themselves.
They wanted to drive by themselves.
They're warmer than bikes, they stand up by themselves.
Member States cannot do this sufficiently by themselves.
Users take full responsibility for damages caused by themselves.
Humans can sin by themselves, but they cannot save by themselves.
But men often find themselves settling troubles and stress all by themselves.
But some scientists do not confine themselves to science as defined by themselves.
In other words, they think by themselves, conclude by themselves, and end everything by themselves.
People know cars don't drive themselves, typewriters don't write novels by themselves and that Rembrandt's brushes didn't paint by themselves.
Women are incapable of being bad luck by themselves.
Still better, send them by themselves.

Alternatives:

do it on their own
do it independently
do it without help
do it solo

This phrase is correct and commonly used in everyday language to convey the idea of independent action.

"Do it themselves "

This phrase is also used to emphasize that the action is performed independently. It is a more common and informal way of expressing self-reliance.

Examples:

They decided to do the project themselves.
I can do it myself, thank you.

Show examples from the web [+]

What advice do you have for kids coming up today that want to do it themselves?
They want me out, they'll have to do it themselves.
Help bring food and gifts to families whose parent or parents are incarcerated and are unable to do it themselves.
And if they can't do it themselves, they contact us.
Am I worried that they might write it all down and just do it themselves?
You can't do it for them, they must do it themselves.
But they also need to do it themselves: the onus shouldn't be left on the customers - in the same way a car is cleaned, the data should be wiped, said Privacy International's Graham Wood.
To do it right, we have to build business models that matter, that are scaleable and that work with Africans, Indians, people all over the developing world who fit in this category, to do it themselves.
They will do it themselves.
People reach out to me online for help with Dark Web transactions, usually because they can't figure out how to do it themselves.
I thought, If someone's going to shoot me, they can bloody well do it themselves.
Still others rather just do it themselves.
No, the machine owner can do it themselves.
They'll do it themselves within a few years.
They used to leave nooses hanging in my cell, and when I didn't get the message, they tried to do it themselves.
For example parents cannot bear the long time that it takes children to do the washing up, or some other chore, therefore they do it themselves.
But I got a hunch that they did not do it themselves.
It is also clear that those who say they are going to do it themselves must not be allowed to compete elsewhere.
They want to do it themselves, but they need a little bit of backing.

Alternatives:

do it on their own
do it independently
do it without help
do it solo

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Do it by themselves vs Do it themselves