enjoying yourself

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Having a good time and feeling happy because of what you are doing.

   Grammar: The reflexive pronoun must match the subject: 'I am enjoying myself', 'they are enjoying themselves'.

   Patterns

   • be enjoying yourself
   • enjoy yourself at something
   • enjoy yourself doing something

   Are you enjoying yourself at the party?

   She was enjoying herself so much that she forgot the time.

   We enjoyed ourselves at the beach all afternoon.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used as an instruction to tell someone to have a pleasant time.

   Grammar: Often said as a short goodbye or good wish: 'Enjoy yourself!'

   Patterns

   • Enjoy yourself!
   • enjoy yourselves

   Enjoy yourself at the concert tonight!

   Enjoy yourselves, and drive home safely.

Common combinations

really enjoying yourself

You look like you're really enjoying yourself.

enjoy yourself at a party

I hope you enjoy yourself at the party.

enjoy yourself on vacation

They enjoyed themselves on vacation in Spain.

enjoy yourself while you can

Enjoy yourself while you can — the work starts Monday.

Synonyms and how they differ

have fun

Very close in meaning, but 'have fun' is more casual and does not need a reflexive pronoun.

have a good time

Similar everyday meaning; it focuses on the occasion rather than the person's feelings.

Opposites

Word family

enjoy verb

To get pleasure from something.

enjoyment noun

The feeling of pleasure you get from something.

enjoyable adjective

Pleasant and giving you enjoyment.

Commonly confused: enjoying yourself or enjoy yourself / enjoy you?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “enjoying yourself”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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