what is the difference

[snade17]

Could you discriminate between the shades of meaning between the following:

1. on my own
2. alone
3. by myself

 

[banderas]

Could you discriminate between the shades of meaning between the following:

1. on my own
2. alone
3. by myself

1=2=3 in my opinion. all natives, I personally asked, confirmed it.
let us see what others say

 

[vil]

Hi snade17,


There are some definitions and examples which should help you to discriminate the enumerated above terms.
on one's own
1. By one's own efforts or resources, as in

He built the entire addition on his own.

2. Responsible for oneself, independent of outside help or control, as in
Dave moved out last fall; he's on his own now.


Leigh says: "I honestly thought I was going to be on my own for at least a decade but I didn't know the Twiglet was going to come..
It was a very nasty feeling being on the island on my own surrounded by crocodiles," he says, shuddering at the memory.
I was left sitting on my own with nothing to do but concentrate on the screen.
I should just concentrate on my own children.
I entirely agree and there is nothing I wish to add on my own behalf.
But I would not have been able to concentrate properly on my own game.


alone (adj)

1. Being apart from others; solitary.
2. Being without anyone or anything else; only.
3. Considered separately from all others of the same class.
4. Being without equal; unique.

alone (adv)

1. Without others: sang alone while the choir listened.
2. Without help: carried the suitcases alone. Without the presence or aid of another:
3. Exclusively; only: The burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone.

All of the above refers to the publishing industry alone.
For both printed and handwritten input, the stimulus alone is insufficient to unambiguously identify the text.
There are several other measures based on the weight and time alone .
She is left alone .
He looks round and sees he is alone .
Never leave young children alone in the bath.


by myself Used reflexively as the direct or indirect object of a verb or as the object of a preposition: I bought myself a new car.


All the rest has been kept by myself .
My husband died 11 years ago, and I brought my son up by myself .
Then later, when I was by myself in the examining room, you know, your stomach drops a few times.
It is a nice change from my one little room where I live by myself , and do all there is to do, washing included
I am now going into business by myself .


Regards.


V.

 

[snade17]

Thank you very much, Vil. You were most helpful.

 

[Snowcake]

I remember having read something about a difference between myself / by myself.

So I've just looked for the grammar book. This is what the book says:

Compare:

1. The president gave the speech himself. (which means, he gave the speech and not the vice-president or somebody else)

2. The president gave the speech by himself. (he did it without anyone's help)


I'm not sure whether it's relevant to the question snade17 asked.

Perhaps one of the teachers or somebody else can comment on my post and can correct or complete it if necessary.

I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Snowcake

 

[engee30]

Compare:

1. The president gave the speech himself. (which means, he gave the speech and not the vice-president or somebody else)

2. The president gave the speech by himself. (he did it without anyone's help)

I myself remember reading something on the issue as well. ;-)
There was something saying in the book that I should be careful about using reflexive pronouns if I wanted to be clearly understood:

(at a conference)
I asked a question myself. = I, like some others, also asked a question (emphasis).
I asked myself a question. = I asked myself, and not anybody else, a question; I asked a question of myself, and not of anybody else (and I answered it).
I myself asked a question. = I, like some others, also asked a question (emphasis).
I asked a question by myself. = I asked a question without help; I didn't need, say, my secretary to ask a question for me.

:-D

 

[Snowcake]

It is really confusing, isn't it? ;-) It will take some time until it becomes a seconde nature to me.

I myself asked a question. / I asked a question myself. I, like some others, also asked a question (emphasis).
---> I haven't known this yet. But now I know better. :rainbow1:

Thanks a lot )

Have a nice evening.

 

[vil]

Hi snowcake,

Please see the following explanation in my post above. I think, no more was requared for understanding of the meaning of the expression in question.

by myself Used reflexively as the direct or indirect object of a verb or as the object of a preposition: I bought myself a new car.

reflexive pronoun = a personal pronoun compounded with -self to show the agent's action affects itself

by + Reflexive pronouns
by myself
by herself
by itself
by yourselves
by ourselves
by themselves

Regards.

V.

 

[Snowcake]

Hi Vil,

I hope you didn't get me wrong. I didn't want to put your explanation (which is very useful and comprehensive :up: ) into question.

But I was wondering if there is a difference between myself and by myself and so I remembered the book.

It is a book about mistakes that are often made by Germans.

I thought it was a good opportunity to raise this issue in order to make sure if I got it right.

So, everything's fine and thanks again for your explanation.

Regards,
Snowcake

 

[vil]

Hi Snowcake,

Everything is allright. Thank you for your kindness.

There are some more examples concerning the matter in question.

Tom cut himself while he was shaving.
I dried myself.
She usually washes herself in hot water.
Pull yourself together. Nehmen sie sich zusammen.

I like living by myself.
Did you go on vocation by yourself?
Jack was sitting by himself in a corner of the café.

The newly installed machine works completely by itself.
Die neu installierte Maschine arbeitet voellig selstaendig.

During the second section I will look at the activities that I myself was involved with during my time in post.
One of the aims of both Tim Grant and myself has been to build up expertise and knowledge of expert systems within the Engineering Branch.
You give me a sad opinion of myself .
You have taught me to forget myself by demeaning yourself to be free to a poor servant.
I own I have demeaned myself but it was only to try you.
I don't want to cut myself off.
I don't want to alienate myself from humanity.
I needed to check the facts for myself
I involved myself by phoning the hotel to find out from the boss what was going on.

My husband died 11 years ago, and I brought my son up by myself .
The position that was presented by myself and my colleagues at the last
All the rest has been kept by myself .
I'll go by myself.
All one Lis, Emma and Amy jumped out and left me in by myself .
I had to do it all by myself .

Regards.

V.