Questions regarding the correct formatting of the pronoun himself often arise, particularly when writers are unsure if the term should be styled as one word or two. The standard and almost universally accepted form is himself, written as a single word. The variant “him self,” separated by a space, is not considered standard English in modern grammar and is typically viewed as a stylistic or formatting error. Understanding this distinction is crucial for anyone aiming to produce clear, professional, and grammatically precise text, whether in academic papers, business communications, or creative writing.
The Standard Usage: Himself
Himself is a reflexive pronoun, which means it refers back to the subject of the sentence or clause. It is used specifically to refer to a male person or a male animal previously mentioned or easily identified. Reflexive pronouns are essential because they return the action of the verb to the subject or act as the object of a preposition. For example, in the sentence “He prepared the report himself,” the word himself emphasizes that he completed the task without assistance. The word functions as an object, reinforcing the subject he.
When to Use Himself
Using himself correctly requires understanding its role in a sentence. It should only be used when the antecedent—the noun it refers to—is male. If the antecedent is female, the correct reflexive pronoun is herself. If the antecedent is of unknown gender, modern style guides often recommend the singular they or restructuring the sentence to avoid gendered pronouns. Here are specific scenarios where himself is the appropriate choice:
As an appositive: “The CEO, himself , approved the merger.”
As the object of a verb: “She surprised himself with the news.”
As the object of a preposition: “The gift was intended for himself .”
For emphasis or irony: “He, himself , will be presenting.”
The Incorrect Variant: Him Self
The separation of the word into “him self” is a frequent mistake, often resulting from a misunderstanding of how reflexive pronouns function or an overcorrection in formal writing. While it is true that some indefinite pronouns like “anyone” and “someone” can be split in certain constructions (e.g., “Anyone can do it him or herself ”), this rule does not apply to the standard third-person pronouns. Him self is not a recognized grammatical unit in contemporary English. Writers should treat this as an error to be corrected during the editing process, just as one would correct there seperate to separate or recieve to receive.
Contextual Examples and Analysis
Examining the pronoun in context helps to solidify the correct usage. Consider the difference between the correct and incorrect versions in a professional setting. A proper sentence would state, “The manager will review the report himself .” This clearly indicates that the manager will perform the review without delegation. In contrast, writing, “The manager will review the report him self ” disrupts the flow of reading and signals to the audience that the writer lacks a firm grasp of standard mechanics. Such errors can detract from the credibility of the author.
Common Pitfalls
Even experienced writers sometimes stumble on the intricacies of pronoun case. A common error involves confusing the subjective case “he” with the objective case “him.” Since reflexive pronouns like himself are objects, they cannot be used as the subject of a verb. For instance, saying “Himself went to the store” is grammatically incorrect because himself cannot perform the action of going. Furthermore, in complex sentences with multiple nouns, it is vital to ensure that the reflexive pronoun clearly refers back to the correct male antecedent to avoid ambiguity.
