itself

1. 1.it; A thing as the object of a verb or preposition that also appears as the subject

   • When the opportunity presented itself, no feasible course of action suggested itself (to us).
   • The researchers posit that something they call the “hipster effect” asserts itself in human populations no matter how individualistic we imagine ourselves to be, because it’s individuality itself that sparks conformity.

2. 2.it; used to intensify the subject, especially to emphasize that it is the only participant in the predicate

   • The door itself is quite heavy.
   • So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.
   • The researchers posit that something they call the “hipster effect” asserts itself in human populations no matter how individualistic we imagine ourselves to be, because it’s individuality itself that sparks conformity.

Overall

Common· #626

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Rare

General reading & writing

Common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Rare

Word family

• its