Itself vs Oneself: Do These Mean The Same? How To Use Them

Are you confused about when to use “itself” and “oneself”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. These two words can be quite tricky, but fear not, by the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of when to use each one.

We should clarify which of the two is the proper word. Both “itself” and “oneself” are correct English words, but they are used in different contexts. “Itself” is a reflexive pronoun that refers back to a previously mentioned noun or pronoun. For example, “The cat licked itself.” In this sentence, “itself” refers back to “cat” which was mentioned earlier. On the other hand, “oneself” is also a reflexive pronoun, but it refers back to the subject of the sentence. For example, “One should always take care of oneself.” Here, “oneself” refers back to “one,” which is the subject of the sentence.

Now that we have a clear understanding of what each word means, let’s dive deeper into their usage and explore some common mistakes people make when using them.

Define Itself

Itself is a reflexive pronoun that refers to something previously mentioned in a sentence or clause. It is used to indicate that the action of the verb is being performed by the same entity that is the subject of the sentence. Itself is used with singular neuter nouns, which means that it is used to refer to an object or concept that is neither masculine nor feminine.

For example:

• The cat groomed itself.
• The computer turned itself off.

Itself can also be used for emphasis, to indicate that the action was done without any external help or influence. This usage is common in idiomatic expressions such as “let nature take its course” or “the car drove itself.”

Define Oneself

Oneself is also a reflexive pronoun, but it refers to the speaker or writer of the sentence. It is used to indicate that the action of the verb is being performed by the same person or entity that is the subject of the sentence. Oneself is used with singular pronouns such as “I” or “you.”

For example:

• I need to take care of myself.
• You should be true to yourself.

Oneself is often used in reflective or introspective contexts, where the focus is on the individual’s own thoughts, feelings, or actions. It can also be used to emphasize the importance of self-care or self-improvement, as in the phrase “invest in oneself.”

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using pronouns, it’s important to understand the differences between them to avoid confusion and grammatical errors. Two commonly misused pronouns are “itself” and “oneself.” Here’s a breakdown of how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use “Itself” In A Sentence

“Itself” is a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject of the sentence. It is used when the subject and the object are the same entity. Here are some examples:

• The cat groomed itself.
• The car washed itself.
• The tree planted itself.

Note that “itself” is only used when referring to non-human entities. When referring to a human, the pronoun “himself” or “herself” should be used instead.

How To Use “Oneself” In A Sentence

“Oneself” is also a reflexive pronoun, but it refers to an indefinite pronoun or a person in general. It is often used to emphasize that the subject is acting on their own or for their own benefit. Here are some examples:

• One must take care of oneself.
• It’s important to love oneself.
• One should always be true to oneself.

It’s important to note that “oneself” is a formal pronoun and is not commonly used in everyday speech. It’s more commonly found in academic or professional writing.

More Examples Of Itself & Oneself Used In Sentences

In order to further understand the proper usage of the words “itself” and “oneself”, let’s take a look at some more examples of how they can be used in sentences.

Examples Of Using Itself In A Sentence

• The cat licked itself clean after eating.
• The plant will water itself through a self-watering system.
• The book fell off the shelf by itself.
• The robot can assemble itself without human intervention.
• The company prides itself on its commitment to sustainability.
• The virus can spread itself through contact with contaminated surfaces.
• The car wash is fully automated, so the car washes itself.
• The computer program can correct itself if it encounters an error.
• The building was designed to regulate its own temperature.
• The snake shed its skin by itself.

Examples Of Using Oneself In A Sentence

• One must take care of oneself in order to live a healthy life.
• It’s important to be true to oneself and not try to please others all the time.
• She reminded herself to stay calm in stressful situations.
• He challenged himself to run a marathon in under 4 hours.
• They blamed themselves for the failure of the project.
• After the breakup, she took some time to focus on herself and her own needs.
• He found himself lost in the woods with no cell phone signal.
• They congratulated themselves on a job well done.
• She asked herself why she was feeling so anxious.
• He reminded himself to be grateful for the good things in his life.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using pronouns, it’s easy to get confused between “itself” and “oneself.” Here are some common mistakes people make when using these pronouns interchangeably:

Using “Itself” As A Reflexive Pronoun

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “itself” as a reflexive pronoun. For example, instead of saying “The cat groomed itself,” they might say “The cat groomed it.” This is incorrect because “it” is not a reflexive pronoun. Reflexive pronouns are used to refer back to the subject of the sentence, and in this case, the subject is the cat. The correct sentence would be “The cat groomed itself.”

Using “Oneself” As An Intensive Pronoun

Another common mistake is using “oneself” as an intensive pronoun. For example, instead of saying “I myself wrote this article,” they might say “I wrote this article myself.” This is incorrect because “myself” is an intensive pronoun, which is used to emphasize the subject of the sentence. In this case, the subject is “I,” so the correct sentence would be “I myself wrote this article.”

Using “Itself” Instead Of “Himself” Or “Herself”

Finally, another mistake people make is using “itself” instead of “himself” or “herself” when referring to a person. For example, instead of saying “The girl dressed herself,” they might say “The girl dressed itself.” This is incorrect because “itself” is used to refer to things, not people. The correct sentence would be “The girl dressed herself.”

To avoid making these mistakes, it’s important to remember the difference between “itself” and “oneself.” If you’re referring to a thing, use “itself.” If you’re referring to a person, use “oneself.” Additionally, make sure to use reflexive pronouns when referring back to the subject of the sentence, and use intensive pronouns to emphasize the subject.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “itself” and “oneself,” context plays a crucial role. The decision to use one over the other depends on the context in which they are used. Let’s explore some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “itself” and “oneself” might change.

Referring To Inanimate Objects

When referring to inanimate objects, the pronoun “itself” is typically used. For example, “The car washed itself” or “The book fell off the shelf by itself.” In these cases, “oneself” would not be appropriate as it refers to a person or people.

Referring To People

When referring to a single person, the pronoun “oneself” is often used. For example, “One should always take care of oneself” or “He hurt himself while playing basketball.” In these cases, “itself” would not be appropriate as it refers to an object or thing.

However, when referring to a group of people, the pronoun “itself” is used. For example, “The team congratulated itself on a job well done” or “The committee elected itself a new chairperson.” In these cases, “oneself” would not be appropriate as it refers to an individual.

Formal Writing

In formal writing, the use of “oneself” is more common as it is considered more grammatically correct. For example, “One should always be true to oneself” or “The speaker introduced oneself to the audience.” In these cases, “itself” would not be appropriate as it is considered less formal.

Informal Writing And Speech

In informal writing and speech, the use of “itself” is more common. For example, “The cat licked itself clean” or “The computer restarted itself.” In these cases, “oneself” would sound awkward and out of place.

Emphasis

Sometimes, the choice between “itself” and “oneself” can be used for emphasis. For example, “The cat licked itself, not the dog” or “He hurt himself, not someone else.” In these cases, the choice depends on the context and what the writer or speaker wants to emphasize.

Overall, the choice between “itself” and “oneself” depends on the context in which they are used. By understanding the different contexts and examples, writers and speakers can choose the appropriate pronoun to use in their communication.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “itself” and “oneself” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to be aware of. Here are some cases where the rules might not apply:

1. Reflexive Pronouns In Imperative Sentences

When using reflexive pronouns in imperative sentences, the pronoun should come after the verb and be separated by a comma. However, in some cases, the reflexive pronoun might not be necessary or appropriate. For example:

• Help yourself to some food. (Correct)
• Help to yourself some food. (Incorrect)

In the second example, the reflexive pronoun “yourself” is unnecessary and makes the sentence sound awkward.

2. Emphasizing The Reflexive Pronoun

Sometimes, the reflexive pronoun can be used to emphasize the subject of the sentence. In these cases, the pronoun is placed immediately after the subject. For example:

• The cat itself knocked over the vase. (Emphasizing the cat)
• The cat knocked over the vase itself. (Emphasizing the vase)

Using the reflexive pronoun in this way is not necessary, but it can add emphasis and clarity to the sentence.

3. Idiomatic Expressions

There are some idiomatic expressions that use reflexive pronouns in ways that might not follow the standard rules. For example:

• The team congratulated itself on a job well done.
• The company prides itself on its customer service.

In these cases, the reflexive pronoun is used to refer back to the subject of the sentence and is part of the idiomatic expression. While these expressions might not follow the standard rules, they are widely accepted and commonly used.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of itself and oneself in sentences is through practice exercises. Here are a few exercises to get you started:

Exercise 1

Choose the correct pronoun to complete each sentence:

Sentence	Pronoun
The computer turned off by ________.	itself / oneself
The athlete pushed ________ to the limit.	itself / oneself
The cat licked ________ clean.	itself / oneself

Answer Key:
1. itself
2. oneself
3. itself

Exercise 2

Write a sentence using either itself or oneself to complete the following:

• The plant watered ________.
• The book fell off the shelf by ________.
• The child taught ________ how to tie their shoes.

Answer Key:
1. itself
2. itself
3. oneself

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of itself and oneself in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the context and meaning of the sentence to determine which pronoun to use.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “itself” and “oneself,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and usage in the English language.

Key Takeaways

• “Itself” is a reflexive pronoun used to refer to an inanimate object or animal.
• “Oneself” is a reflexive pronoun used to refer to a person.
• Using “itself” to refer to a person can be considered dehumanizing.
• Using “oneself” in place of “itself” can be a more appropriate and respectful choice in some situations.

It is important to be mindful of the language we use and the impact it can have on others. By understanding the nuances of grammar and language use, we can communicate more effectively and respectfully.

Continuing Learning

If you are interested in further developing your grammar and language skills, there are many resources available. Consider exploring grammar books, taking language classes, or working with a tutor or language coach.