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Prepositions before nouns

Of self, for self, or to self?

English rarely uses plain self after prepositions. Most natural expressions use reflexive forms such as oneself, myself, or yourself.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

To self is common in expressions such as talk to yourself or a note to self. For self is usually replaced by for oneself. Of self appears mainly in formal phrases such as sense of self.

She kept the comment to herself.
He learned to think for himself.
The retreat helped her develop a stronger sense of self.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
to oneself

Direct thoughts, speech, or actions inward

Use to oneself for private speech, thoughts, or reactions.

She laughed quietly to herself.
I repeated the address to myself.
2
for oneself

Independence or personal benefit

Use for oneself when someone acts independently or for their own benefit.

Children should learn to think for themselves.
He built the desk for himself.
3
of self

Fixed formal expressions

Of self is uncommon except in set phrases such as sense of self or knowledge of self.

Travel can change your sense of self.
The course encourages deeper knowledge of self.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
to self
I wrote a note to self before the meeting.
A fixed expression meaning a reminder for yourself.
for self
Nonstandard in most everyday English; use for oneself instead.
Usually replaced by a reflexive pronoun.
of self
Meditation may improve your sense of self.
Used mainly in fixed formal expressions.
by oneself
She completed the project by herself.
Means alone or without help.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using self without a reflexive pronoun

English normally uses myself, yourself, himself, and similar forms.

✕ She did it for self. ✓ She did it for herself.

Using of self too broadly

Of self is limited to a few formal expressions.

✕ He spoke of self all day. ✓ He spoke about himself all day.

Confusing to self with by oneself

To oneself refers to inward speech or thought, not being alone.

✕ She lived to herself. ✓ She lived by herself.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He prefers to make decisions ___ himself.
2. I kept repeating the number ___ myself.
3. The book explores the idea of a strong sense ___ self.

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Frequently asked questions

Is for self correct English?

It is usually considered nonstandard in everyday English. Use for myself, for yourself, or for oneself instead.

When do we use to self?

Use it in expressions about private thoughts or reminders, such as talk to yourself or note to self.

Can of self be used freely?

No. It mainly appears in fixed formal phrases like sense of self.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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