Themselves vs Themself: When To Use Each One In Writing

Are you confused about when to use themselves versus themself? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with this grammar rule. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between themselves and themself, and provide examples to help you understand when to use each one correctly.

Let’s clarify which of the two is the proper word. The correct word to use in most cases is themselves. This is because themselves is a reflexive pronoun that refers to the plural noun or pronoun that precedes it. For example:

• The group of friends enjoyed themselves at the party.
• The employees congratulated themselves on a job well done.

On the other hand, themself is a non-standard pronoun that is used to refer to a singular noun or pronoun that is gender neutral. It is not commonly used in standard English, and is often considered incorrect. However, it is sometimes used in informal speech or writing. For example:

• They should be able to express themself freely.
• The writer wanted to remain anonymous, so they used the pseudonym “themself”.

Now that we’ve established the difference between themselves and themself, let’s dive deeper into when to use each one in specific situations.

Define Themselves

Themselves is a reflexive pronoun used to refer to a group of people or things as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject and object are the same. It is the plural form of the reflexive pronoun “himself” or “herself”.

For example, “The students taught themselves how to solve the problem” or “The team congratulated themselves on their victory”. In both cases, the subject and object are the same group of people.

Themselves can also be used as an intensive pronoun to add emphasis to a noun or pronoun. For instance, “The children themselves made the decorations for the party” or “The employees themselves organized the charity event”.

Define Themself

Themself is a non-standard reflexive pronoun used to refer to a single person as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject and object are the same. It is a gender-neutral alternative to “himself” or “herself” and is used by people who do not identify as either male or female or who prefer gender-neutral language.

For example, “The individual decided to take care of themself” or “The person congratulated themself on their achievement”. In both cases, the subject and object are the same individual.

Themself is a relatively new word and is not widely accepted in standard English usage. It is considered by some to be grammatically incorrect, while others argue that it is a necessary addition to the English language to promote inclusivity and respect for gender diversity.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using themselves and themself in a sentence, it is important to understand the proper usage of each word. Here is a guide to help you use these words correctly in your writing.

How To Use Themselves In A Sentence

Themselves is a reflexive pronoun that refers to a group of people or things. It is important to use themselves when referring to a group of people or things that are performing an action on themselves.

For example:

• The students helped themselves to some snacks.
• The cats groomed themselves.

Themselves can also be used to emphasize the subject of the sentence.

For example:

• The employees themselves organized the charity event.
• The children themselves made the decorations for the party.

How To Use Themself In A Sentence

Themself is a reflexive pronoun that refers to a singular person or thing that is performing an action on themselves. It is important to use themself when referring to a singular person or thing.

For example:

• The author wrote the book themself.
• The athlete trained themself for the competition.

It is important to note that themself is not commonly used in modern English and is considered non-standard. It is often replaced with themselves, even when referring to a singular person or thing.

For example:

• The author wrote the book themselves.
• The athlete trained themselves for the competition.

Overall, it is important to use the correct reflexive pronoun in your writing to ensure clarity and accuracy. By following these guidelines, you can use themselves and themself correctly in your sentences.

More Examples Of Themselves & Themself Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide you with more examples of how to use “themselves” and “themself” in sentences. Understanding how to use these words correctly will help you communicate more effectively in written and spoken English.

Examples Of Using Themselves In A Sentence

• The children made themselves a snack after school.
• The team congratulated themselves on a job well done.
• They blamed themselves for the accident.
• The company prides themselves on their customer service.
• She reminded herself to call her mother later.
• They found themselves lost in the woods.
• The couple enjoyed themselves at the beach.
• He hurt himself while playing basketball.
• The students challenged themselves to read 100 books in a year.
• The employees organized themselves into teams for the charity event.

Examples Of Using Themself In A Sentence

• The cat groomed itself on the windowsill.
• The baby put itself to sleep after being rocked.
• The computer shut itself down to prevent overheating.
• The flower planted itself in the garden.
• The book fell off the shelf by itself.
• The door closed by itself due to a draft.
• The car parked itself in the garage.
• The robot repaired itself after detecting an error.
• The machine turned itself off after completing the task.
• The camera adjusted itself to the lighting conditions.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using pronouns, one common mistake people make is using “themselves” and “themself” interchangeably. While they may seem similar, they have distinct uses and should not be used interchangeably.

Incorrect Usage Of “Themselves” And “Themself”

• Using “themself” as a singular reflexive pronoun
• Using “themselves” as a singular reflexive pronoun
• Using “themself” instead of “themselves” in the plural form

It is important to note that “themself” is not a recognized word in standard English grammar. It is considered nonstandard and should be avoided in formal writing.

Using “themselves” as a singular reflexive pronoun is also incorrect. The correct singular reflexive pronoun is “himself” or “herself”.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it is important to have a good understanding of English grammar rules. Here are some tips:

• Use “themselves” as the plural reflexive pronoun
• Use “himself” or “herself” as the singular reflexive pronoun
• Avoid using “themself” in formal writing
• Proofread your writing to ensure correct usage of pronouns

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and improve your writing skills.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “themselves” and “themself,” context is key. Depending on the context in which these pronouns are used, the choice between them can change. Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “themselves” and “themself” might vary:

Context 1: Singular Vs. Plural Antecedent

One of the most important contextual factors to consider when choosing between “themselves” and “themself” is whether the antecedent is singular or plural. If the antecedent is singular, “themself” is the correct choice. If the antecedent is plural, “themselves” is the correct choice.

For example:

• Correct: If anyone needs help, they should ask themself.
• Incorrect: If anyone needs help, they should ask themselves.
• Correct: If the students have questions, they should ask themselves.
• Incorrect: If the students have questions, they should ask themself.

Context 2: Reflexive Vs. Intensive Pronoun

Another important contextual factor to consider when choosing between “themselves” and “themself” is whether the pronoun is being used reflexively or intensively. Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same. Intensive pronouns are used to emphasize a noun or pronoun.

For example:

• Correct: The students taught themselves how to code.
• Incorrect: The students taught themself how to code.
• Correct: The students themselves taught how to code.
• Incorrect: The students themself taught how to code.

Context 3: Formal Vs. Informal Writing

Finally, the choice between “themselves” and “themself” can also depend on the level of formality of the writing. In formal writing, “themselves” is generally preferred, while in informal writing, “themself” may be more common.

For example:

• Correct (formal): Each student should be responsible for themselves.
• Correct (informal): Everyone should take care of themself.

By considering these contextual factors, you can make an informed choice between “themselves” and “themself” based on the specific needs of your writing.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using themselves and themself are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to be aware of. Here are some cases where the rules might not apply:

Reflexive Pronouns In Singular Nouns

While themselves is the correct reflexive pronoun for plural nouns, there are some cases where it can be used with a singular noun. This occurs when the singular noun refers to a group of people, such as a family or a team. For example:

• The family decided to take a trip by themselves.
• The team congratulated themselves on their victory.

In these cases, themselves is used to refer to the group as a whole, rather than to each individual person.

Gender-neutral Pronouns

As the use of gender-neutral language becomes more common, there are some cases where the traditional rules for using reflexive pronouns may not apply. In these cases, the singular pronoun themself can be used as a gender-neutral alternative to themselves. For example:

• Each student should be responsible for themself.
• If someone is feeling overwhelmed, they should take care of themself.

While this usage is still not universally accepted, it is becoming more common in certain contexts.

Regional Differences

Finally, it’s worth noting that there may be regional differences in the use of themselves and themself. In some parts of the English-speaking world, themself is used more commonly than in others. For example, in some dialects of English spoken in Ireland, themself is used as a reflexive pronoun for both singular and plural nouns. In these cases, it is important to be aware of the local usage and adjust your language accordingly.

Practice Exercises

Improving your understanding and use of themselves and themself in sentences takes practice. Here are some exercises to help you:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Instructions:	Choose the correct reflexive pronoun to fill in the blank.
Example:	He hurt _______ when he fell off his bike.
Answer:	himself
Exercises:	They made _______ a cup of tea. She taught _______ how to swim. The cat groomed _______ on the windowsill. We congratulated _______ on their promotion. I burned _______ on the stove.
Answer Key:	themselves herself itself ourselves myself

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

For each sentence, rewrite it using a reflexive pronoun.

1. They bought a gift for him. Answer: They bought a gift for themselves.
2. She made breakfast for her son. Answer: She made breakfast for herself.
3. The dog chased the cat. Answer: The dog chased itself.
4. We gave the book to our friend. Answer: We gave the book to ourselves.
5. You need to take care of your health. Answer: You need to take care of yourself.

By practicing these exercises, you will become more comfortable with using themselves and themself correctly in sentences.

Conclusion

After reviewing the differences between “themselves” and “themself”, it is clear that these two words have distinct uses in the English language. “Themselves” is the correct reflexive pronoun to use when referring to a group of people or things, while “themself” is a non-standard, singular reflexive pronoun that should be used sparingly, if at all.

It is important for writers to have a strong understanding of grammar and language use in order to communicate effectively. By continuing to learn and practice proper grammar, writers can improve their writing and avoid common errors such as using “themself” instead of “themselves”.

Key Takeaways:

• “Themselves” is the correct reflexive pronoun to use when referring to a group of people or things.
• “Themself” is a non-standard, singular reflexive pronoun that should be used sparingly, if at all.
• Having a strong understanding of grammar and language use is important for effective communication.
• Continuing to learn and practice proper grammar can improve writing and avoid common errors.