Ownself vs Myself: Fundamental Differences Of These Terms

Have you ever been confused about whether to use “ownself” or “myself” in a sentence? It’s a common mistake, but fear not! In this article, we’ll explore the differences between the two words and when it’s appropriate to use each one.

Let’s clear up any confusion about which of the two words is the proper one to use. The answer is simple: “myself” is the correct word to use in most cases. “Ownself” is a nonstandard dialectal version of “myself” that is mainly used in informal speech or writing.

So, what do these two words actually mean? “Myself” is a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject of a sentence. It’s used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same person.

For example:

• I bought myself a new book.
• She hurt herself while playing soccer.

“Ownself,” on the other hand, is a nonstandard dialectal version of “myself” that is mainly used in informal speech or writing. It’s used in the same way as “myself,” but is considered nonstandard English.

Now that we’ve cleared up any confusion about these two words, let’s dive deeper into when it’s appropriate to use “myself” and when it’s not.

Define Ownself

Ownself is a colloquial term used in some English-speaking countries, particularly in Singapore, to refer to oneself or one’s own self. It is a contraction of the words “own” and “self” and is often used in informal settings or conversations. The term is also commonly used in Singlish, a creole language spoken in Singapore.

While its usage is not considered standard English, it has gained popularity in certain communities and is recognized as a valid expression in Singlish. Ownself is often used as a reflexive pronoun, indicating that the subject is performing an action on itself. For example, “I need to take care of ownself” means that the speaker needs to take care of themselves.

Define Myself

Myself is a pronoun that refers to the speaker or writer. It is a reflexive pronoun that is used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same. For example, “I hurt myself” means that the speaker hurt themselves.

Myself is also used for emphasis or clarification in a sentence. For example, “I myself saw the accident happen” emphasizes that the speaker witnessed the accident firsthand. It can also be used as a reflexive pronoun in the place of “me” or “I” in certain contexts, such as in formal writing or when the speaker wants to avoid using the first or second person directly.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct pronoun in a sentence can be tricky, especially when it comes to ownself and myself. Here’s a guide on how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use Ownself In A Sentence

Ownself is a reflexive pronoun that refers to the subject of the sentence. It is commonly used in Singaporean English and Singlish. Here are some examples:

• John hurt ownself while playing football.
• Mary cooked dinner for ownself.
• The cat licked its ownself.

As you can see, ownself is used when the subject is performing an action on themselves. It is important to note that ownself is not commonly used in standard English and should be used sparingly.

How To Use Myself In A Sentence

Myself is also a reflexive pronoun, but it is used differently than ownself. Myself is used when the subject is both the doer and the receiver of the action. Here are some examples:

• I hurt myself while playing football.
• I cooked dinner for myself.
• I talked to myself in the mirror.

As you can see, myself is used when the subject is performing an action on themselves and is also the recipient of that action. It is important to note that myself should not be used in place of me or I in a sentence. For example, “Me and John went to the store” is correct, while “Myself and John went to the store” is not.

More Examples Of Ownself & Myself Used In Sentences

In this section, we will explore more examples of how the words “ownself” and “myself” are used in sentences.

Examples Of Using Ownself In A Sentence

• She cooked the meal all by ownself.
• He fixed the car ownself instead of taking it to a mechanic.
• They built their own house ownself instead of hiring a contractor.
• The child tied his shoes all by ownself for the first time.
• She learned how to swim all by ownself.
• He completed the project all by ownself without any help.
• They organized the event all by ownself without hiring an event planner.
• The artist painted the entire mural all by ownself.
• She wrote the book all by ownself without a co-author.
• He climbed the mountain all by ownself without a guide.

Examples Of Using Myself In A Sentence

• I made myself a cup of coffee.
• I need to remind myself to buy groceries.
• I hurt myself while playing basketball.
• I am challenging myself to learn a new language.
• I am proud of myself for finishing the race.
• I am holding myself accountable for my actions.
• I am pushing myself to achieve my goals.
• I am taking care of myself by getting enough sleep.
• I am treating myself to a nice dinner tonight.
• I am giving myself a break from work this weekend.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using reflexive pronouns, many people tend to use “ownself” and “myself” interchangeably. However, this is a common mistake that can lead to confusion and incorrect usage. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Ownself” Instead Of “Myself”

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “ownself” instead of “myself” when referring to oneself. While “ownself” may sound correct, it is actually non-standard and incorrect in standard English. For example:

• Incorrect: I did it all on ownself.
• Correct: I did it all by myself.

Using “ownself” instead of “myself” can make your writing sound unprofessional and may confuse your readers.

Using “Myself” Instead Of “Me”

Another common mistake people make is using “myself” instead of “me” in certain contexts. While “myself” can be used as a reflexive pronoun, it should only be used when the subject and object of the sentence are the same. For example:

• Incorrect: John and myself went to the store.
• Correct: John and I went to the store.

Using “myself” instead of “me” can also make your writing sound awkward and may confuse your readers.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the proper usage of reflexive pronouns. Here are some tips:

• Use “myself” only when the subject and object of the sentence are the same.
• Avoid using “ownself” altogether, as it is non-standard and incorrect in standard English.
• When in doubt, use “me” instead of “myself” to avoid awkward or incorrect usage.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and professional.

Context Matters

Choosing between ownself and myself can be a tricky decision, as it often depends on the context in which they are used. The two words may seem interchangeable at first glance, but they have subtle differences that can affect the meaning of a sentence.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between ownself and myself might change:

Context	Example	Correct Usage
Reflexive Pronoun	I hurt myself.	myself
Emphatic Pronoun	I did it all by myself.	myself
Intensive Pronoun	I myself saw the accident.	myself
Reflexive Pronoun (Plural)	We hurt ourselves.	ourselves
Emphatic Pronoun (Plural)	We did it all by ourselves.	ourselves
Intensive Pronoun (Plural)	We ourselves saw the accident.	ourselves
Reflexive Pronoun (Formal)	The CEO hurt himself.	himself
Emphatic Pronoun (Formal)	The CEO did it all by himself.	himself
Intensive Pronoun (Formal)	The CEO himself saw the accident.	himself

In the reflexive context, the pronoun reflects back to the subject of the sentence. For example, “I hurt myself.” In this case, myself is the correct usage.

In the emphatic context, the pronoun emphasizes the subject’s independence or self-sufficiency. For example, “I did it all by myself.” Here, myself is the correct usage.

In the intensive context, the pronoun emphasizes the subject’s identity or presence. For example, “I myself saw the accident.” Again, myself is the correct usage.

When using plural pronouns, such as ourselves, the same rules apply. For example, “We did it all by ourselves.”

In formal contexts, such as referring to a CEO or other high-ranking individual, the pronoun himself is often used. For example, “The CEO hurt himself.”

Overall, the choice between ownself and myself depends on the specific context in which they are used. By understanding the subtle differences between the two, you can ensure that your writing is clear and effective.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the general rules for using ownself and myself are straightforward, there are some exceptions where these rules might not apply. In such cases, it is important to understand the context and usage to avoid any confusion or ambiguity.

Reflexive Pronouns As Intensive Pronouns

One of the exceptions to using reflexive pronouns like ownself and myself is when they are used as intensive pronouns. Intensive pronouns are used to emphasize or intensify the subject of the sentence. In such cases, the reflexive pronoun is not necessary for the sentence to make sense, but it adds emphasis to the subject.

For example:

• I myself completed the project on time.
• The president himself addressed the nation.

In the above examples, the reflexive pronoun is used to emphasize the subject of the sentence, but it is not necessary for the sentence to make sense.

Reflexive Pronouns In Compound Subjects And Objects

Another exception to using reflexive pronouns is when they are used in compound subjects or objects. In such cases, the reflexive pronoun is used to refer to the subject or object of the sentence.

For example:

• John and I saw ourselves in the mirror.
• The team congratulated itself on a job well done.

In the above examples, the reflexive pronoun is used to refer to the compound subject or object of the sentence.

Reflexive Pronouns In Passive Voice

Finally, reflexive pronouns can also be used in the passive voice to indicate that the subject of the sentence is also the object of the sentence.

For example:

• The cat washed itself.
• The children amused themselves with games.

In the above examples, the reflexive pronoun is used to indicate that the subject of the sentence is also the object of the sentence.

Understanding these exceptions to the rules for using ownself and myself can help you use these pronouns correctly and effectively in your writing.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have covered the differences between ownself and myself, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these pronouns in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blanks

Choose the correct pronoun (ownself or myself) to fill in the blanks in the following sentences:

1. I need to remind _______ to pick up groceries after work.
2. She is very self-sufficient and likes to do things _______.
3. He couldn’t believe he had locked _______ out of the house.
4. They decided to take care of the problem _______ instead of hiring a professional.

Answer key:

1. myself
2. on her ownself
3. himself
4. on their ownself

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences, replacing the incorrect pronoun with the correct one:

1. She hurted herself while playing tennis.
2. I can’t believe you did that to myself.
3. They were proud of theirself for completing the project.

Answer key:

1. She hurt herself while playing tennis.
2. I can’t believe you did that to me.
3. They were proud of themselves for completing the project.

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of ownself and myself in sentences. Remember to always choose the correct pronoun and use it appropriately!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference between “ownself” and “myself” is a common grammatical error that many people make. It is important to understand that “ownself” is not a proper English word, and should not be used in any context. Instead, “myself” should be used in situations where the speaker is referring to themselves.

It is also important to note that proper grammar and language use are essential in effective communication. By using correct grammar and language, we can convey our thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively. Therefore, it is important to continue learning about grammar and language use.

Key Takeaways

• “Ownself” is not a proper English word and should not be used.
• “Myself” should be used in situations where the speaker is referring to themselves.
• Proper grammar and language use are essential in effective communication.
• Continuing to learn about grammar and language use is important.

By following these key takeaways, we can improve our communication skills and avoid common grammatical errors like the misuse of “ownself.”