Many writers and speakers ask whether to use himself or him self in professional and personal contexts. This guide clarifies the standard form, explains common mistakes, and shows how each version functions in real usage.
Below is a quick reference that compares pronunciation, grammatical role, typical errors, and correct examples so you can choose the right option at a glance.
| Form | Type | Position in Sentence | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| himself | Reflexive pronoun | Refers back to the subject: He prepared himself. | Incorrect: The client spoke to himself. (Use him if not reflexive) |
| himself | Intensive pronoun | Adds emphasis: He himself completed the report. | Avoid adding himself where him is enough |
| him self | Nonstandard variant | Not recognized in formal writing or editing | Treat as incorrect in professional contexts |
| him | Objective pronoun | Object of verb or preposition: She sent it to him. | Never use himself as a direct object unless reflexive or intensive |
Understanding himself as a Reflexive Pronoun
The reflexive use of himself appears when the subject and the object of the sentence are the same person. In these structures, himself points back to the subject and completes the meaning of the verb.
For example, a speaker might say he taught himself coding, where himself refers directly back to he. This alignment signals that the action loops onto the subject rather than flowing to another person or object.
Using the reflexive correctly reinforces clarity, because readers immediately see that the action circles back to the doer instead of drifting to an external target.
Understanding himself as an Intensive Pronoun
An intensive pronoun, such as himself, adds emphasis to a noun or another pronoun without changing the core meaning of the sentence. It highlights focus or determination, often intensifying the subject.
In the pattern he himself signed the contract, himself stresses that the subject specifically and personally performed the action. This emphasis can be useful when clarity or authority needs to be signaled.
Because the intensive version still depends on the subject, it must appear directly after the noun or pronoun it reinforces and cannot stand alone as the object of a verb or preposition.
Pronoun Case, Position, and Agreement Rules
Correct pronoun case is essential when using himself. The base form must match the subject, which is always in the subjective case he, while the object uses him.
Position matters because reflexive and intensive himself typically sits close to the subject it refers to, whereas the objective pronoun him occupies the object slot after a verb or preposition. Keeping these positions clear prevents common misplacement errors.
Agreement rules demand that himself never replaces a plural subject or a she they or you subject, even when the antecedent is gender-neutral in informal speech. In formal contexts, restructure the sentence or use they with their rather than forcing himself onto a plural frame.
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
One frequent error is inserting himself after a preposition or verb where the objective pronoun him is required, as in between you and himself. The correct form is between you and him.
Another mistake is using him self as two separate words, which is nonstandard in edited prose and should be avoided in professional, academic, or legal contexts.
To prevent these issues, pause at the pronoun and ask whether the reference is reflexive or intensive. If not, replace himself with the objective him and read the sentence aloud to confirm natural flow.
Mastering Pronoun Choices for Professional Communication
Consistent attention to form, case, and position ensures that your writing and speech remain precise and credible across audiences.
- Use himself only as a reflexive or intensive pronoun referring to a singular masculine subject
- Choose him as the objective pronoun after verbs and prepositions
- Avoid writing him self, which is not standard in formal English
- Confirm that the antecedent and pronoun agree in number and gender
- Test sentences by removing the pronoun to verify correct case usage
FAQ
Reader questions
Should I use himself in place of him in a sentence like The manager emailed the report to himself?
No, use him unless the manager is also the subject of the verb. The correct form is The manager emailed the report to him.
Is him self ever acceptable in formal writing?
No, him self written as two words is nonstandard and should be replaced with him in professional and academic contexts.
Can I use himself to refer to a gender neutral singular they in modern English?
No, himself specifically refers to a male or masculine antecedent; for a singular they, use themself instead.
How can I quickly check if myself or himself is correct in my sentence?
Remove the pronoun and see if the sentence still makes sense. If it does, use him; if the action reflects back on the subject, use himself.