As someone who’s worked as a writing coach, I’ve seen many native and non-native speakers stumble over grammar rules that make the English language so complex and ever-evolving. One common question that sparks confusion in conversation, blog posts, and everyday writing is whether Hisself or Himself is the correct pronoun.
At first glance, it seems like a small quirky issue, but when you look deeper into the historical context, linguistic research, and modern usage norms, the facts show that himself follows the standard form accepted by major sources, style guides, and professional writers.
In my experience, this grammatical conundrum often appears when people imitate spoken speech and start blending structures without realizing that reflexive pronouns have specific sentence patterns. While hisself might sound natural in informal circles, it’s still seen as a misused word that can affect clarity and professionalism in formal writing.
The usage of himself, on the other hand, fits the system of proper writing, maintaining patterns, style, and form across contexts. When writers understand these structures through real examples, they improve not only their writing but also their grasp of the language as a whole.
Understanding Reflexive Pronouns in English
Before diving deep into “hisself” and “himself,” it’s essential to understand what reflexive pronouns are and how they work. Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of a sentence refer to the same person or thing.
For example:
- Correct: He hurt himself while running.
- Incorrect: He hurt him while running.
In the correct version, the subject (he) and object (himself) point to the same person. That’s why we call it reflexive—the action reflects back on the subject.
Here’s a quick table summarizing all the standard reflexive pronouns in English:
| Person | Subject Pronoun | Reflexive Pronoun | Example Sentence |
| 1st Singular | I | myself | I taught myself Spanish. |
| 2nd Singular | you | yourself | You should trust yourself more. |
| 3rd Singular (Masculine) | he | himself | He motivated himself to study. |
| 3rd Singular (Feminine) | she | herself | She blamed herself for the mistake. |
| 1st Plural | we | ourselves | We introduced ourselves to the class. |
| 2nd Plural | you | yourselves | You all should be proud of yourselves. |
| 3rd Plural | they | themselves | They helped themselves to dinner. |
Notice that “himself” fits perfectly into this system—it’s the reflexive form for he.
Where Does ‘Himself’ Fit In?
The word “himself” is the standard reflexive pronoun for the masculine third-person singular subject “he.”
You use it when the person performing an action is the same person receiving it.
Examples of “Himself” in Proper Use:
- He prepared himself for the big meeting.
- He blamed himself for the team’s loss.
- He saw himself in the mirror and smiled.
In every example, the action is directed back at the same person.
The reflexive pronoun helps clarify meaning and avoids confusion.
Important tip: You don’t need “himself” when the subject and object are different people. For example:
- He called himself to the office.
- He called his friend to the office.
In short, “himself” shows reflection, not interaction.
The Origin and History of ‘Hisself’
The term “hisself” didn’t appear out of nowhere. It actually has deep historical roots dating back to Middle English (roughly between the 12th and 15th centuries).
In early English, language was less standardized, and dialects varied greatly between regions. People often created new word forms through analogy—patterning one word after another. Because words like myself and yourself were common, many speakers naturally extended the pattern to hisself.
That’s how hisself developed. It seemed logical—after all, if you say myself and yourself, why not hisself?
Over time, though, “himself” became the accepted form in Standard English. This happened as grammar and spelling became more regulated in the 17th and 18th centuries, largely thanks to dictionaries, grammar books, and formal education systems.
However, “hisself” never completely disappeared. It survived in regional dialects, particularly:
- In parts of the Southern United States
- In African American Vernacular English (AAVE)
- In some British dialects, such as those in the Midlands and the North
Even today, you might hear someone say “hisself” casually, especially in informal conversation. It’s not wrong in a dialectal sense—it just isn’t considered grammatically correct in standard or academic writing.
Why ‘Hisself’ Is Grammatically Incorrect
Let’s get technical for a moment. The reason “hisself” is incorrect lies in the formation rule of reflexive pronouns.
Reflexive pronouns are made by adding self or selves to a possessive adjective, not a possessive pronoun.
Let’s look at this breakdown:
| Word | Type | Reflexive Form | Correct/Incorrect | Example |
| my | Possessive adjective | myself | ✅ Correct | I love myself. |
| your | Possessive adjective | yourself | ✅ Correct | You surprised yourself. |
| his | Possessive pronoun (not adjective) | himself | ✅ Correct | He taught himself. |
| his + self (hisself) | Not a valid combination | ❌ Incorrect | He taught hisself. |
In English, “his” already serves as both a possessive adjective (his car) and possessive pronoun (The book is his). But historically, himself evolved before that rule was standardized—so “hisself” never made the cut as a proper word.
To put it simply:
“Himself” follows the logic of old English grammar.
“Hisself” follows the logic of modern analogy—but breaks the actual rule.
Is ‘Hisself’ Ever Acceptable in Any Context?
While “hisself” isn’t considered correct in formal grammar, it still has a place in linguistic and cultural discussion.
In some regions, especially the Southern United States and in African American Vernacular English (AAVE), “hisself” is used naturally in everyday speech. It’s part of how those communities have spoken English for centuries.
You’ll also find “hisself” used in literature, often intentionally, to portray authentic dialogue or regional identity.
Examples from Literature:
- “He got hisself into trouble again.” – used in Southern American fiction.
- “A man can’t trust nobody but hisself.” – reflecting informal speech patterns.
So yes, “hisself” can appear in dialogue or creative writing when you’re trying to capture character voice or dialect authenticity.
However, in academic papers, business emails, resumes, and exams, always use “himself.”
Pro tip: Writers like Mark Twain and Zora Neale Hurston often used nonstandard forms like “hisself” to make characters sound real—not to teach incorrect grammar.
Examples of ‘Himself’ in Proper Use
To master usage, let’s see how “himself” appears in various real-world contexts:
| Context | Example Sentence | Explanation |
| Academic | He challenged himself to write a new research paper every semester. | The action reflects back on the subject “he.” |
| Professional | He introduced himself to the new team members. | Proper reflexive form for professional settings. |
| Everyday speech | He fixed himself a cup of coffee. | Common informal expression, but grammatically correct. |
| Literature | “He found himself lost in thought.” – from literary narration. | Reflects self-awareness or introspection. |
In all these examples, “himself” correctly connects the subject and object as the same person.
Understanding Through Analogy
If grammar rules feel abstract, analogies can make them crystal clear.
Think of reflexive pronouns as mirrors.
When the subject performs an action on itself, it’s like looking into a mirror.
- I → myself
- You → yourself
- He → himself
You wouldn’t say “I hurt myselfs” or “She blamed herselfs.”
So by the same logic, you wouldn’t say “hisself.”
Here’s a simple analogy table:
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun | Analogy |
| I | myself | “I see myself in the mirror.” |
| You | yourself | “You should trust yourself.” |
| He | himself | “He congratulated himself.” |
It’s all about pattern consistency. Even though hisself sounds like it fits the pattern, English grammar says otherwise.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
English learners and even native speakers make these common reflexive pronoun errors:
Frequent Mistakes:
- He did it hisself. → He did it himself.
- He and myself went there. →He and I went there.
- Hisself and myself are coming. → He and I are coming.
- He hurt him. → He hurt himself.
How to Avoid These Errors:
- Listen to native speech in formal contexts (news, lectures, academic videos).
- Practice by writing reflexive pronoun sentences.
- Check your work before submitting essays or reports.
- Read aloud to spot unnatural phrasing.
Tip for Teachers: Encourage students to make a “reflexive checklist.” Before submitting writing, they should ask:
“Does the subject and object refer to the same person? If yes, use a reflexive pronoun.”
Practical Advice for Everyday and Professional Use
Using proper grammar makes communication smoother and more credible, especially in professional and academic environments.
Here’s how to confidently apply correct usage:
For Students:
- Use “himself” in essays, reports, and exams.
- Remember that grammar checkers can’t always detect dialect words—so double-check manually.
For Teachers:
- Teach reflexive pronouns with visual aids (tables and examples).
- Explain the why, not just the what. Understanding structure helps retention.
For Professionals:
- Avoid informal variations like “hisself” in any written communication.
- Review documents aloud—natural reading highlights errors faster than silent proofreading.
Checklist for Using Reflexive Pronouns Correctly:
- ✔ Use “himself,” not “hisself,” in all formal settings.
- ✔ Only use a reflexive pronoun if the subject and object are the same.
- ✔ Avoid overusing reflexives—“He washed himself the car” is incorrect.
- ✔ Review grammar before publication or submission.
Cultural and Linguistic Insight: Why Language Mistakes Stick Around
Language is a living system—it changes, adapts, and sometimes breaks its own rules.
That’s why “hisself” refuses to disappear entirely.
People naturally apply analogy—they look for patterns in language. Since myself and yourself exist, hisself feels logical. Linguists call this analogical leveling, a process where irregular forms become regularized through use.
This isn’t unique to English. Many languages experience the same evolution:
- In Spanish, “vosotros” (you all) became “ustedes” in Latin America.
- In English, “thou” disappeared and “you” took over.
So, “hisself” represents natural linguistic evolution, not laziness or ignorance.
However, standard English remains the global norm for education, business, and formal communication.
Think of it this way:
“Hisself” belongs to the spoken, informal world.
“Himself” belongs to the written, professional world.
Both exist, but context determines which is correct to use.
In Summary
| Form | Correctness | Usage Context | Example |
| Himself | ✅ Standard English | Formal, Academic, Professional | He did it himself. |
| Hisself | ❌ Nonstandard / Dialectal | Informal, Regional, Creative Writing | He did it hisself. |
When in doubt, always choose “himself.”
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between Hisself and Himself isn’t just about memorizing a grammar rule—it’s about respecting how the English language has naturally evolved over time. While hisself might still appear in informal conversation or certain dialects, the universally correct and standard form recognized by all major style guides, sources, and writing coaches is himself.
Using himself not only shows strong command over linguistic norms but also improves clarity, professionalism, and credibility in your writing. In short, if you’re aiming for polished, standard English, himself is the right choice every time.
FAQs
Q1: Is “hisself” ever grammatically correct?
No, hisself is not considered grammatically correct in modern English. It’s regarded as nonstandard and mainly appears in informal speech or older regional dialects.
Q2: Why do people still say “hisself”?
People often say hisself because of blending structures in spoken speech—it sounds like a natural extension of reflexive pronouns such as yourself or myself. However, it’s not accepted in standard writing.
Q3: How can I remember to use “himself”?
Think of himself as following the same sentence pattern as herself or itself. This helps you maintain clarity and stick to standard grammatical form.
Q4: Is it okay to use “hisself” in creative writing or dialogue?
Yes, if you’re writing fiction or dialogue and want to reflect authentic speech patterns, you can use hisself to show a character’s background or voice. Just avoid it in academic, professional, or formal writing.
Q5: What are other common reflexive pronoun mistakes?
Writers sometimes mix up words like theirselves instead of themselves or ourself instead of ourselves. The rule is simple: reflexive pronouns always end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural) and must match the subject of the sentence.
