英语短语 by oneself 的核心含义是 “独自;单独;靠自己(不借助他人帮助)”,强调动作的独立性或状态的孤独性,通常用来描述一个人完成某事或处于某种状态时没有他人陪伴、协助。
独自做某事(强调“无他人帮助”):I made this cake by myself.(这个蛋糕是我自己做的。)
单独存在/行动(强调“无他人陪伴”):She lives by herself in the countryside.(她独自住在乡下。)
1、 搭配反身代词:
“by oneself”中的“oneself”需根据主语人称变化,对应为:
I → by myself(我自己)
You → by yourself(你自己/你们自己)
He/She/It → by himself/herself/itself(他/她/它自己)
They → by themselves(他们自己)
例:
Did you fix the bike by yourself?(你自己修好自行车的?)
The child dressed himself by himself.(这孩子自己穿的衣服。)
2、 语法功能:
通常作状语(修饰动词或整个句子),位置灵活,可放在句末或句中:
She went to the movies by herself.(她独自去看电影了。)
By himself, he managed to move the heavy box.(他独自搬动了那个重箱子。)
强调独立完成:He finished the report by himself.(他独自完成了报告。)
描述孤独状态:I often walk in the park by myself.(我常独自在公园散步。)
回应“是否需要帮助”:
— Do you need help with your homework?(你作业需要帮忙吗?)
— No, I can do it by myself.(不用,我自己能做。)
by oneself vs. alone:
两者都有“独自”的意思,但by oneself更强调“独立完成”(主动不借助他人),而alone更强调“状态孤独”(客观上无人陪伴)。
例:
She stayed alone at home.(她独自在家。)→ 客观状态
She stayed at home by herself.(她自己待在家里。)→ 强调“自己决定/独立待着”
“by oneself”是表达“独立、单独”的常用短语,核心是“无他人协助/陪伴”,使用时注意反身代词与主语一致,多作状语修饰动作或状态。