Have you ever heard someone say “hisself” and cringed inside? You’re not alone.
The confusion between hisself and himself has been around for centuries, and while it might sound charming in regional speech, it’s a red flag in formal English.
This guide will break down everything you need to know about reflexive pronouns, the origins of hisself,
why himself is the only correct standard form, and how to use them confidently in writing and speech.
Understanding Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns are words that refer back to the subject of a sentence. They show that the action of the verb affects the subject itself.
Think of them as the “mirror” pronouns in English. They always end with -self (singular) or -selves (plural).
Common reflexive pronouns include:
- Myself
- Yourself
- Himself
- Herself
- Itself
- Ourselves
- Yourselves
- Themselves
For example:
- I taught myself to play the guitar.
- She made herself a cup of tea.
- They blamed themselves for the mistake.
Reflexive pronouns are never used as the subject of a sentence. You wouldn’t say “Myself went to the store”. That’s incorrect.
Common Reflexive Pronouns and Their Uses
Here’s a quick table to help you see the pronouns in action:
| Pronoun | Subject | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Myself | I | I taught myself to play guitar. |
| Yourself | You | You should treat yourself kindly. |
| Himself | He | He made himself a sandwich. |
| Herself | She | She looked at herself in the mirror. |
| Itself | It | The cat cleaned itself thoroughly. |
| Ourselves | We | We congratulated ourselves on finishing. |
| Yourselves | You | You all should help yourselves to some cake. |
| Themselves | They | They blamed themselves for the error. |
Notice how each pronoun reflects the action back to the subject. The correct reflexive pronoun keeps sentences grammatically clean and precise.
The Origins of ‘Hisself’
Hisself isn’t a modern invention. It has roots in older English dialects and was more common in the 15th–17th centuries. Linguists note that it emerged from phonetic patterns in speech, especially in certain regions of England and later in America.
Some historical examples:
- Early literature and letters show phrases like “He defended hisself bravely.”
- Shakespeare and other early writers occasionally used dialectical forms resembling hisself, although not consistently.
In short, hisself grew out of casual speech, not formal grammar rules. It’s a product of the language evolving in pockets, influenced by pronunciation habits rather than written standards.
Is ‘Hisself’ Ever Grammatically Acceptable?
Strictly speaking, no. Modern standard English never accepts hisself. It’s marked as nonstandard by dictionaries, style guides, and grammar authorities.
- Informal speech: In some dialects, people still say hisself casually.
- Historical literature: It appears in texts from centuries ago.
- Modern writing: Avoid it in formal documents, academic papers, and professional emails.
Think of it like this: it’s a “fun relic” in speech but a red flag in standard grammar.
Why ‘Himself’ Is the Only Correct Standard Form
Himself follows the subject-pronoun agreement rules of English. The subject “he” requires the reflexive pronoun “himself” to maintain grammatical accuracy.
Correct: He prepared himself for the meeting.
Incorrect: He prepared hisself for the meeting.
Using himself ensures your writing is:
- Clear
- Professional
- Universally understood
No style guide or grammar authority today accepts hisself as correct. It simply doesn’t meet the standard rules of English.
Where You Might Still Hear ‘Hisself’
Despite being incorrect, hisself persists in:
- Regional dialects: Certain Southern American English dialects and some UK regional accents.
- Media and pop culture: Films, TV shows, and social media often use it to reflect casual speech or character voice.
Example: A character in a comedy show might say, “He did it all by hisself!”
- This works in dialogue because it reflects real speech patterns.
- But in formal writing, it’s wrong.
Correct vs. Incorrect Uses
Here’s a quick comparison to help you spot mistakes:
Correct Uses of Himself:
- He taught himself to code.
- The cat cleaned itself.
- She blamed herself for the delay.
Incorrect Uses of Hisself:
- He blamed hisself for the delay.
- The boy did it all by hisself.
Mini Exercise – Spot the Error:
- He made hisself a sandwich.
- She congratulated herself.
- They blamed themselves.
Answer: Sentence 1 is incorrect. Correct form: He made himself a sandwich.
Cultural and Literary Examples
Even in historical texts and literature, the correct reflexive pronoun dominates:
- Shakespeare often used himself correctly, though dialectical forms appeared in regional plays.
- Modern novels and scripts: Characters in casual speech may use hisself, but narrative prose sticks to himself.
Pop culture example:
- In movies, you might hear a comedic character say, “He fixed it all by hisself!”
- Writers use it intentionally to show informal, regional, or humorous speech.
Analogies and Memory Tricks
Here are easy ways to remember:
- Think: “He fixes himself, not hisself.”
- Compare with other reflexive pronouns: We say ourselves, yourself, themselves, never “ourselveself” or “theirselves.”
- Trick: The -self ending never doubles the possessive “his.”
Quick Grammar Tips
Checklist for spotting reflexive pronoun errors:
- Does it refer back to the subject?
- Is it used as the object, not the subject?
- Does it follow standard forms: myself, yourself, himself, etc.?
- Avoid dialect forms like hisself or theirselves.
Common mistakes:
- Mixing pronouns: “He blamed themselves” ❌
- Using dialect forms in formal writing: “He did it by hisself” ❌
- Forgetting reflexive pronouns entirely: “He blamed” (without himself) ❌
When Correcting ‘Hisself’ Matters
When it matters:
- Academic writing
- Professional emails
- Published content and journalism
- Business presentations
When it may not matter:
- Casual speech
- Creative writing, dialogue, or scripts
- Informal social media posts
The key is context. Knowing the difference helps you decide when to enforce standard grammar and when to let it slide.
FAQs
What is the difference between hisself and himself?
Himself is the standard reflexive pronoun. Hisself is a nonstandard, dialectical form.
Can I ever use hisself in writing?
Only in informal, creative, or dialect-specific contexts. Avoid it in professional or academic writing.
Why do some people say hisself?
It’s a regional or historical pronunciation influenced by phonetic patterns in older English.
Is himself always correct?
Yes, in standard English, himself is always the grammatically correct form for male singular subjects.
How can I remember not to use hisself?
Think: “He fixes himself, not hisself”. Compare with other reflexive pronouns to reinforce the rule.
Final Verdict
Himself is the only correct form in standard English. Hisself is a relic of dialects and informal speech.
While it may appear in dialogue, social media, or certain regional accents, it should never appear in formal writing.
With a little practice, you can spot errors, remember the rules, and use reflexive pronouns confidently in any context.
I’m Alex Henry — a passionate English enthusiast who loves exploring words, grammar, and the art of expression. I share creative tips to help you fall in love with the English language every day.