in and of itself

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   By its own nature, taken alone and apart from other factors or results.

   Grammar: Added after a noun or at the start of a clause; itself changes with the noun: themselves, himself.

   Patterns

   • something in and of itself
   • in and of itself, something is ...

   Winning is not enough in and of itself; you must win fairly.

   The idea is not bad in and of itself, but the timing is poor.

   Money, in and of itself, does not make anyone happy.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseformal

   Used to stress that one thing or fact is worth noting even without considering anything else.

   Grammar: Often placed after a noun to emphasize it.

   Patterns

   • an achievement in and of itself

   Finishing the marathon was an achievement in and of itself.

   The apology, in and of itself, changed nothing.

   Reading for pleasure is a reward in and of itself.

Common combinations

not harmful in and of itself

Caffeine is not harmful in and of itself.

a goal in and of itself

Education should not be only a goal in and of itself.

a reward in and of itself

Helping others is a reward in and of itself.

in and of themselves

The tools are not dangerous in and of themselves.

Synonyms and how they differ

in itself

In itself is the shorter and more common form and can usually replace the longer phrase without changing the meaning.

by itself

By itself can also mean alone or unaided, so it has more meanings than in and of itself.

intrinsically

Intrinsically is a single formal word that stresses an essential quality inside the thing.

per se

Per se is a Latin phrase meaning as such, and it is common in formal writing and law.

Word family

itself pronoun

the thing being discussed, for emphasis

in itself phrase

a shorter form of the same idea

intrinsic adjective

belonging to the nature of something

Commonly confused: in and of itself or in it of itself?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “in and of itself”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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