Many English learners and even native speakers often face confusion when it comes to reflexive pronouns. One common question arises with the words “hisself” and “himself.” You may hear both in spoken English, but which one is correct? Understanding the difference is crucial for proper writing, speaking, and professional communication.
This confusion is not just a minor grammatical issue. Using the wrong form can make your writing look unpolished or informal, especially in academic, business, or formal contexts. Moreover, while “himself” is universally accepted in both British and American English, “hisself” is considered nonstandard and often marks dialectal or historical speech.
For learners in the UK and US, knowing the correct usage ensures clarity and avoids embarrassment. This guide will break down the topic thoroughly, providing examples, tips, and common mistakes.
Quick Answer
“Himself” is the correct reflexive pronoun in modern English. “Hisself” is incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing and standard speech.
In simple terms:
- ✅ Correct: himself
- ❌ Incorrect: hisself
However, you may encounter “hisself” in some dialects of American English, historical texts, or informal speech. While it may appear in conversations or literature, it is never considered standard.
Meaning of the Correct Form – Himself
Himself is a reflexive pronoun used to indicate that the subject of a sentence is performing an action on or for themselves. Reflexive pronouns in English include myself, yourself, herself, himself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
Examples in Sentences:
- British English:
- He looked at himself in the mirror before leaving.
- The gentleman introduced himself to the new neighbors.
- American English:
- He fixed the car by himself.
- John prepared himself for the presentation.
Key points:
- It always reflects back to the subject of the sentence.
- It can be used for emphasis (e.g., “He himself made the decision”).
Meaning of the Incorrect Form – Hisself
Hisself is a nonstandard form of himself.
- Historically, hisself appeared in Middle and Early Modern English texts.
- Today, it survives in some dialects of American English, particularly in informal speech in the Southern United States.
- Using hisself in formal writing is considered incorrect and unprofessional.
Examples (Dialectal / Nonstandard):
- He did it all by hisself.
- I told hisself to calm down.
Notice how these sentences sound unusual in standard English. In formal contexts, they should always be replaced with himself.
Keyword Comparison / Key Differences
| Feature | Himself | Hisself |
| Status | Standard, correct | Nonstandard, incorrect |
| Usage | UK & US English | Dialectal, informal US English |
| Writing | Acceptable in formal writing | Avoid in formal writing |
| Historical Context | Modern English | Middle/Early Modern English |
| Pronunciation | /hɪmˈsɛlf/ | /ˈhɪsɛlf/ (dialectal) |
Summary: Always use himself in professional, academic, or written English. Hisself is mostly limited to dialects, storytelling, or historical references.
Common Mistakes People Make
Many learners and even native speakers occasionally confuse himself and hisself. Here are some practical examples:
- Dialect Influence:
- Incorrect: He told hisself to stop.
- Correct: He told himself to stop.
- Children’s Speech: Young children learning English may say hisself because it seems logical to add “s” from his + self.
- Incorrect: The boy did it by hisself.
- Correct: The boy did it by himself.
- Regional Speech: Some American Southern dialects might still use hisself.
- Informal: He made dinner by hisself.
- Standard: He made dinner by himself.
- Writing in Fiction: Writers sometimes include hisself in dialogue to reflect dialects. However, it should not appear in narration or formal text.
Correct Usage in Sentences
Here are practical examples for UK and US audiences, showing himself in different contexts:
UK English Examples:
- The man himself signed the contract.
- Peter prepared himself for the marathon.
- He blamed himself for the mistake.
US English Examples:
- He fixed the roof all by himself.
- John made himself a sandwich.
- The actor congratulated himself for the award.
Tips for writing: Always pair himself with the correct subject. Never replace it with hisself unless capturing dialect or historic speech.
Tips to Remember the Correct Usage
Here are some easy ways to avoid the hisself mistake:
- Think “him + self” correctly:
- Combine him and self without adding extra “s.”
- Remember Standard English Rules:
- Reflexive pronouns always mirror the subject:
- He → himself
- She → herself
- I → myself
- Reflexive pronouns always mirror the subject:
- Mnemonic Trick:
- Himself is healthy; hisself is harmful → remember hisself is “harmful” in writing.
- Check Your Sentence:
- Ask: “Am I using this in standard English?”
- If yes, use himself.
- Listen to Formal Media:
- News, podcasts, and books rarely use hisself. Following them helps reinforce correct usage.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Is “hisself” ever correct?
- Only in historical texts or informal dialects. In standard English, hisself is incorrect.
Q2: Can I use “himself” for emphasis?
- Yes! Example: The CEO himself approved the decision.
Q3: Are there UK/US differences in usage?
- No major differences. Both UK and US English use himself. Hisself may appear in some informal US dialects.
Q4: Why do people say “hisself”?
- It is often a phonetic spelling from his + self and appears in regional dialects or in children’s speech.
Q5: Can “hisself” appear in fiction?
- Yes, in dialogue to reflect a character’s speech pattern, but not in formal narration.
Q6: Is “himself” only for males?
- Yes, for male subjects. For females, use herself; for plural subjects, use themselves.
Q7: How do I remember reflexive pronouns?
- Use the subject + self/selves rule:
- I → myself
- You → yourself/yourselves
- He → himself
- She → herself
- They → themselves
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between hisself or himself is essential for clear, professional, and grammatically correct English. While hisself may appear in historical texts, informal speech, or certain dialects, it is not acceptable in standard English.
Always use himself for reflexive actions, emphasis, or formal writing. Whether you live in the UK or the US, this rule applies universally.
Key Takeaways:
- ✅ Correct: himself
- ❌ Incorrect: hisself
- Use in sentences that reflect the subject performing an action on themselves.
- Avoid hisself outside of dialects, fiction, or historical contexts.
