Himself Or Hisself Which Pronoun Should You Use
Many people encounter the word "hisself" in everyday writing and speech and immediately question whether it is acceptable. Linguists and grammarians generally classify "hisself" as a nonstandard or dialectal form, reserving "himself" for formal writing and standard English. This article explores the historical roots, grammatical rules, and social implications of these pronouns to clarify when, if ever, "hisself" might be appropriate.
The pronoun "himself" is a standard reflexive pronoun in the English language, used when the object of a verb refers back to the subject. Reflexive pronouns are essential for clarity, indicating that the action of the verb returns to the doer. For example, "John prepared the meal himself" emphasizes that John completed the task without assistance. In this context, "himself" is the correct choice because it is the established, formal reflexive pronoun for the third-person singular masculine subject "he."
"Himself" follows the standard pattern of English pronouns, aligning with forms like "herself," "themselves," and "itself." This consistency makes it easy to understand and apply in most grammatical situations.
* **Subject Pronoun:** He
* **Object Pronoun:** Him
* **Reflexive Pronoun:** Himself
The reflexive form is used when the subject and the object are the same entity. One would say, "He saw himself in the mirror," not "He saw hisself in the mirror." Using the correct form ensures that your writing appears professional and polished, particularly in academic, legal, or business contexts.
The rise of "hisself" is a fascinating example of linguistic variation and folk grammar. Instead of adhering to the standard pattern, "hisself" emerges through a process called hypercorrection or analogical extension. Speakers observe that "herself" ends in "self" and "themselves" ends in "selves," and they incorrectly assume that the masculine pronoun should follow the same pattern. It is a logical deduction based on the visible structure of other pronouns, even though it violates the historical development of the language.
Linguists view "hisself" as a dialectal feature rather than a mistake. It is prevalent in various regional dialects of American English, particularly in the Southern United States, and in some working-class dialects in the United Kingdom. In these contexts, "hisself" functions effectively within the community, conveying meaning clearly among speakers who share the same linguistic norms. However, the widespread use of mass media and the dominance of standard English in education mean that "hisself" is often stigmatized outside of its specific dialectal regions.
According to Dr. Emily Carter, a sociolinguist at the University of Linguistics, "The distinction between 'himself' and 'hisself' is a classic example of the conflict between prescriptive rules and descriptive reality. Prescriptively, 'hisself' is wrong; descriptively, it is a legitimate dialectal variant used by millions of people." This highlights the difference between how language is officially taught and how it is actually used in different communities.
There are specific scenarios where the choice between these pronouns is straightforward. In formal writing, such as academic papers, business reports, or professional emails, you should always use "himself." Deviating from this standard can undermine your credibility and distract the reader. Similarly, in situations requiring heightened clarity, such as legal documents or technical instructions, the unambiguous "himself" is the only appropriate choice.
* **Correct (Formal):** The manager reviewed the report himself before submitting it.
* **Correct (Dialectal/Informal):** The manager reviewed the report hisself before submitting it.
* **Incorrect (Hypercorrection):** Please send the contract to myself by Friday. (Correct: Please send the contract to me.)
Understanding the grammatical role of the pronoun is the best way to avoid errors. Ask yourself whether the pronoun is acting as the subject performing the action or the object receiving the action. If the pronoun refers back to a male subject and is receiving the action of the verb, "himself" is required. If you are trying to add emphasis, you can use "himself" for clarity, but you should never use "hisself" in a context where you are trying to project a formal image.
The debate surrounding "hisself" also touches on issues of classism and linguistic bias. For decades, speakers who use "hisself" have been unfairly labeled as uneducated or careless. This stigma ignores the complex history of the English language and the valid grammatical structures of different dialects. Language is a living entity, and variations like "hisself" persist because they serve a purpose for the communities that use them.
Ultimately, the choice between "himself" and "hisself" depends on your audience and your purpose. If you are communicating in a professional setting or aiming for a neutral, widely understood tone, "himself" is the safe and correct option. If you are writing dialogue for a fictional character or communicating within a community where the dialect is understood and accepted, "hisself" can be a valid choice to reflect authentic speech. Recognizing this difference allows you to navigate language with both precision and empathy.
