Theirself vs Themself: Deciding Between Similar Terms

Are you confused about whether to use “theirself” or “themself” in your writing? You’re not alone. Many people are unsure of which term is correct, and it can be challenging to know when to use one over the other.

The proper word to use is “themselves.” However, both “theirself” and “themself” have been used in the past and are still used by some people today. “Theirself” is considered nonstandard English, while “themself” is considered informal English.

“Theirself” is a reflexive pronoun that is used to refer to a singular noun or pronoun that is both the subject and object of a sentence. It is not considered standard English and is often viewed as incorrect. Instead, the proper reflexive pronoun to use in this case is “themselves.”

“Themself” is also a reflexive pronoun that is used to refer to a singular noun or pronoun that is both the subject and object of a sentence. However, it is considered informal English and is not commonly used in formal writing. Instead, “themselves” should be used.

In this article, we will explore the differences between “theirself” and “themself” and provide examples of when to use each term. We will also discuss why it’s important to use proper English in your writing, and how using nonstandard or informal language can impact your credibility as a writer.

Define Theirself

The word “theirself” is a non-standard reflexive pronoun used to refer to the third person singular. It is used as a gender-neutral alternative to “himself” or “herself” when the gender of the subject is unknown or irrelevant. The use of “theirself” is considered incorrect by most standard English grammarians and is not widely accepted in formal writing. However, it is commonly used in informal speech and writing.

Define Themself

The word “themself” is also a non-standard reflexive pronoun used to refer to the third person singular. It is used as a gender-neutral alternative to “himself” or “herself” when the gender of the subject is unknown or irrelevant. The use of “themself” is considered more acceptable than “theirself” by some grammarians and is gaining wider acceptance in informal writing. However, it is still not widely accepted in formal writing and should be used with caution.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct pronoun is essential in any sentence. The use of “theirself” and “themself” can be confusing, but with a clear understanding of their meanings and proper usage, it is easy to select the appropriate pronoun.

How To Use Theirself In A Sentence

The word “theirself” is a non-standard reflexive pronoun that is not recognized by most dictionaries. It is considered incorrect grammar in standard English. However, it is commonly used in some dialects, particularly in the southern United States and in African American Vernacular English (AAVE).

When using “theirself” in a sentence, it is important to consider the context and audience. If you are writing for a formal audience or in a professional setting, it is best to avoid using “theirself”. Instead, use “themselves” as the reflexive pronoun for both singular and plural subjects.

Here are a few examples of how to use “theirself” in a sentence:

• She hurt theirself while playing basketball.
• He wanted to be theirself and not conform to societal norms.
• They were proud of theirself for completing the project on time.

How To Use Themself In A Sentence

“Themself” is a non-standard reflexive pronoun that is used by some people as a gender-neutral alternative to “himself” or “herself”. It is not recognized by most dictionaries, but it has gained popularity in recent years as a way to be more inclusive in language.

When using “themself” in a sentence, it is important to consider the context and audience. If you are writing for a formal audience or in a professional setting, it is best to use “himself” or “herself” depending on the gender of the subject. However, if you are writing for a more casual or inclusive audience, “themself” can be a good option.

Here are a few examples of how to use “themself” in a sentence:

• Everyone should be able to express themself freely.
• The student wanted to challenge themself by taking a more difficult course.
• The artist was proud of themself for completing the project.

More Examples Of Theirself & Themself Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use the words “theirself” and “themself” in sentences. While these words are not commonly used in standard English, they can be useful in certain situations where gender-neutral language is preferred.

Examples Of Using Theirself In A Sentence

• Each person should be responsible for theirself.
• They were so focused on theirself that they didn’t notice anyone else.
• Some people prefer to rely on theirself rather than others.
• One should always strive to be true to theirself.
• It’s important to take care of theirself in order to be able to help others.
• They were proud of theirself for completing the project on time.
• Everyone has the right to express theirself freely.
• Some people find it difficult to be honest with theirself.
• It’s important to give oneself time to reflect and be with theirself.
• Each person has the power to change theirself and their circumstances.

Examples Of Using Themself In A Sentence

• They should be able to express themself without fear of judgment.
• Each person has the right to be themself.
• They were so focused on helping others that they forgot to take care of themself.
• It’s important to respect each person’s right to identify as themself.
• They were proud of themself for overcoming their fear of public speaking.
• Some people find it difficult to be true to themself.
• It’s important to give oneself permission to be vulnerable and show theirself to others.
• Each person has the ability to create a life that is true to themself.
• They were able to find peace within themself after years of struggling with anxiety.
• It’s important to take time for themself in order to recharge and prevent burnout.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using reflexive pronouns, many people tend to use “theirself” and “themself” interchangeably. However, this is incorrect and can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Theirself” Instead Of “Themselves”

“Theirself” is not a word in the English language. The correct reflexive pronoun to use when referring to a group of people is “themselves.” For example, instead of saying “Each person should take care of theirself,” it is more appropriate to say “Each person should take care of themselves.”

Using “Themself” Instead Of “Themselves”

“Themself” is also not a word in the English language. The correct reflexive pronoun to use when referring to a singular person is “themselves.” For example, instead of saying “If someone is feeling down, they should talk to themself,” it is more appropriate to say “If someone is feeling down, they should talk to themselves.”

Using “Theirself” Or “Themself” In Formal Writing

In formal writing, it is important to use proper grammar and avoid using informal language. Using “theirself” or “themself” in formal writing is considered incorrect and unprofessional. It is best to use “themselves” in all situations to ensure clarity and correctness.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

• Read through your writing carefully to ensure that you are using the correct reflexive pronoun.
• Practice using “themselves” in all situations to become more comfortable with the correct usage.
• When in doubt, consult a grammar guide or seek feedback from a trusted colleague or friend.

Context Matters

When it comes to using pronouns, context is key. The choice between “theirself” and “themself” is no exception. Depending on the context in which they are used, the correct pronoun can vary. Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “theirself” and “themself” might change:

1. Singular Vs. Plural

The first factor to consider is whether the subject is singular or plural. “Theirself” is a reflexive pronoun used to refer to a singular subject, while “themself” is used to refer to a plural subject. For example:

• Correct: He hurt theirself.
• Incorrect: They hurt theirself.
• Correct: They hurt themselves.
• Incorrect: He hurt themselves.

2. Formal Vs. Informal

The choice between “theirself” and “themself” can also depend on the level of formality in the context. “Theirself” is generally considered nonstandard English and is more commonly used in informal speech or writing. “Themself” is also nonstandard, but is more commonly used in formal writing. For example:

• Informal: They can take care of theirself.
• Formal: They can take care of themselves.

3. Gender-neutral Language

Another consideration is the use of gender-neutral language. Both “theirself” and “themself” can be used in place of “himself” or “herself” to avoid gendered language. However, “themself” is more commonly used in this context. For example:

• Gendered: Each student should prepare himself for the exam.
• Gender-Neutral: Each student should prepare themselves for the exam.
• Gender-Neutral: Each student should prepare theirself for the exam.

Overall, the choice between “theirself” and “themself” depends on a variety of factors, including the number of subjects, the level of formality, and the use of gender-neutral language. By considering these factors, you can choose the correct pronoun for any given context.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the general rule is to use “themselves” as the reflexive pronoun for plural antecedents and “themselves” or “himself/herself” for singular antecedents, there are some exceptions where these rules may not apply.

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone,” “anyone,” “someone,” and “nobody,” are singular and require the use of a singular reflexive pronoun. Therefore, “himself” or “herself” should be used instead of “theirself” or “themselves.” For example:

• Everyone should be proud of himself or herself.
• Anyone can hurt himself or herself if they are not careful.

Gender-neutral Pronouns

When referring to a gender-neutral antecedent, such as a non-binary individual, the use of “theirself” or “themselves” may be appropriate. However, this is still a controversial topic and some style guides recommend using “themself” as a singular gender-neutral reflexive pronoun. For example:

• They should be proud of theirself for standing up for their beliefs.
• Ze should take care of themself before helping others.

Regional Dialects

In some regional dialects, the use of “theirself” or “theirselves” is accepted as a singular reflexive pronoun. However, this usage is considered nonstandard and should be avoided in formal writing. For example:

• He hurt theirself when he fell off the bike.
• She should be proud of theirselves for completing the project on time.

Practice Exercises

To help readers improve their understanding and use of theirself and themself in sentences, here are some practice exercises:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct reflexive pronoun to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

Sentence	Reflexive Pronoun
They cooked dinner __________.	themselves
The cat groomed __________.	itself
She gave __________ a pep talk.	herself
He hurt __________ while playing basketball.	himself
The students taught __________ Spanish.	themselves

Answer key:

• They cooked dinner themselves.
• The cat groomed itself.
• She gave herself a pep talk.
• He hurt himself while playing basketball.
• The students taught themselves Spanish.

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences using the correct reflexive pronoun:

1. He hurt him while playing basketball.
2. She bought her sister a present.
3. They taught each other Spanish.

Answer key:

• He hurt himself while playing basketball.
• She bought herself a present.
• They taught themselves Spanish.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of “theirself” and “themself” is a controversial topic in the world of grammar and language use. While “theirself” is commonly used in some dialects, it is not considered standard English and is often seen as incorrect. “Themself,” on the other hand, is not widely accepted and is not recognized by most style guides.

It is important to remember that language is constantly evolving, and what may have been considered incorrect in the past may become accepted in the future. However, for now, it is best to stick with the standard use of “themselves” when referring to a singular gender-neutral pronoun.

Key Takeaways

• “Theirself” is not considered standard English and is often seen as incorrect.
• “Themself” is not widely accepted and is not recognized by most style guides.
• Stick with the standard use of “themselves” when referring to a singular gender-neutral pronoun.

Remember, proper grammar and language use are important in both written and spoken communication. Continuing to learn and improve your language skills can have a positive impact on your personal and professional life.