Hisself vs Himself – Which One Is Correct and Why It Matters

When writing or speaking, using himself vs hisself instantly improves clarity and avoids confusion. In my experience reviewing texts and essays, I’ve noticed that even small mistakes with reflexive pronouns can distract readers from the main point. Choosing himself signals that the action belongs to the male person already mentioned and maintains formal standards while keeping informal speech clear.

Even though hisself may appear in dialectal variations or casual conversation, it is not official and is considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. The history of the word shows it formed from his + self, but over time, speakers favored himself as the standard, especially in the Southern United States. Words like herself never changed because the forms were already identical, which highlights the importance of sticking to standard grammar rules for consistency.

Using the right reflexive pronoun ensures your message is clear, accurate, and trusted. I always tell students and colleagues to pay attention to context: in relaxed conversation, hisself might sound familiar, but in any professional or formal setting, himself preserves credibility. Applying this small but critical grammar rule keeps writing and speech polished, preventing any wrong impression while allowing the audience to focus on the content itself

Why the Hisself vs Himself Confusion Keeps Showing Up

English absorbs habits quickly. Regional speech patterns, family influence, and casual conversation shape how people talk long before grammar rules enter the picture. That’s why hisself sounds believable to many ears. It follows a pattern that feels logical. Myself. Yourself. So why not hisself?

Here’s the issue. English logic doesn’t always follow sound-based patterns. It follows historical structure, grammar agreement, and standard usage. When writing matters—emails, essays, articles, professional communication—those standards matter too.

A single word can signal education, attention to detail, and authority. Or it can quietly suggest the opposite.

What Reflexive Pronouns Really Do

To understand hisself vs himself, you first need to understand reflexive pronouns.

A reflexive pronoun reflects the action of a verb back onto the subject. The subject acts. The subject receives the action. Same person. Same thing.

Short example:
He taught himself to swim.

“He” performs the action. “Himself” receives it.

Reflexive pronouns always end in -self or -selves, depending on number.

Standard Reflexive Pronouns in English

Singular forms:

• myself
• yourself
• himself
• herself
• itself

Plural forms:

• ourselves
• yourselves
• themselves

Notice something important. There’s no hisself on that list. Not accidentally. Not historically. Not grammatically.

Where ‘Himself’ Fits In Grammar

Himself is the reflexive pronoun that pairs with the subject he.

It works in every tense.
It works in formal and informal writing.
It appears in dictionaries, grammar textbooks, academic papers, and legal documents.

Examples that always work:

• He blamed himself for the mistake.
• The athlete pushed himself harder each season.
• He introduced himself to the audience.

Each sentence stays clear. Each sounds natural. Each follows accepted English rules.

Why ‘Hisself’ Is Not Correct English

Hisself is considered nonstandard English. That means it doesn’t follow the rules of standard grammar used in education, publishing, journalism, or professional communication.

Where ‘Hisself’ Comes From

The word hisself grew out of spoken dialects. Certain regions, especially in older forms of British English and some American dialects, pronounced himself with an added “s” sound. Over time, pronunciation influenced spelling in casual writing.

Speech habits leaked onto the page.

That doesn’t make the word correct. It explains why it exists.

Why It Fails Grammatically

• “His” is a possessive adjective, not a reflexive base.
• Reflexive pronouns build from object pronouns, not possessives.
• “Him” is the correct root. “His” is not.

That’s why we say:

• himself
• herself
• themselves

Not:

• hisself
• hersself
• theirselves

Hisself vs Himself Side-by-Side

Seeing the difference in action makes it obvious.

Incorrect usage:

• He fixed the problem all by hisself.
• The child hurt hisself playing outside.
• He kept the secret to hisself.

Correct usage:

• He fixed the problem all by himself.
• The child hurt himself playing outside.
• He kept the secret to himself.

The correct versions sound cleaner. Sharper. More confident.

Why Using ‘Hisself’ Hurts Your Writing

Using hisself doesn’t usually confuse meaning. Readers still understand what you intend. The damage happens elsewhere.

What Readers Notice Subconsciously

• Reduced professionalism
• Lack of editorial polish
• Casual tone in serious contexts
• Questionable grammar knowledge

In business writing, academic work, or published content, those impressions matter.

Real-World Case Study: One Word, Real Consequences

A regional news outlet once ran a headline using hisself instead of himself. The article spread quickly. Not because of the story—but because readers mocked the grammar.

The outlet issued a correction later that day.

The lesson is simple. One small reflexive pronoun can overshadow an entire message.

Easy Ways to Remember ‘Himself’

Memory tricks help grammar stick.

The Mirror Rule

Reflexive pronouns act like mirrors. The subject looks back at itself.

He → him → himself

There’s no mirror version of “his.” That’s possession, not reflection.

The Sound Test

Say the sentence aloud.
Does “hisself” sound heavier?
Does “himself” sound smoother?

Your ear often knows before your brain does.

Practical Writing Advice You Can Use Today

Good grammar isn’t about memorizing rules. It’s about habits.

Simple Editing Checks

• Use search to find “hisself” in drafts.
• Replace automatically with “himself.”
• Double-check dialogue versus narration.

Formal vs Informal Awareness

Dialect belongs in dialogue when representing speech.
It does not belong in narration, essays, or explanations.

Other Reflexive Pronoun Mistakes to Avoid

Hisself isn’t the only offender.

Common errors include:

• themselves instead of themselves
• ourself instead of ourselves
• yourself when myself is needed

These errors follow the same pattern. Spoken logic overrides grammar rules.

Quick Reference Table

Subject	Correct Reflexive	Incorrect Form
He	himself	hisself
She	herself	hersself
They	themselves	theirselves
We	ourselves	ourself
I	myself	myself (misused)

One rule fixes all of them. Reflexive pronouns come from object pronouns, not possessives.

Why This Mistake Persists Despite Education

Language evolves. Speech changes faster than writing rules. People hear hisself growing up, trust their ears, and never question it. Spellcheck doesn’t always catch it. Casual platforms reinforce it.

That’s how errors survive.

Good writers question habits. Great writers correct them.

Using Dialect Without Losing Credibility

There’s one place where hisself can appear intentionally. Dialogue.

Example:
He laughed and said, “I fixed it all by hisself.”

That signals regional speech or character background. Outside dialogue, though, standard grammar should always lead.

Why ‘Himself’ Always Wins

No exceptions.
No modern updates.
No evolving acceptance.

Himself is correct in:

• academic writing
• professional communication
• journalism
• digital content
• everyday standard English

Hisself remains informal, dialectal, and nonstandard.

Conclusion

In summary, himself is always the correct reflexive pronoun to use in standard English, whether in writing or formal speech. While hisself may appear in informal conversation or dialectal variations, it is grammatically incorrect and can weaken clarity and credibility. Understanding this distinction helps ensure your communication is accurate, professional, and easy for readers and listeners to understand. Always choosing himself over hisself is a small step that makes a big difference in maintaining proper grammar and leaving the right impression.

FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between hisself and himself?

Himself is the correct reflexive pronoun in standard English, while hisself is a nonstandard, dialectal variation.

Q2. Can I use hisself in casual conversation?

Yes, hisself may appear in informal or regional speech, but it is not correct in formal writing or professional contexts.

Q3. Why is hisself considered incorrect?

Hisself is not part of standard English grammar and does not follow the proper formation of reflexive pronouns.

Q4. When should I always use himself?

Use himself whenever referring back to a male person, human, or animal in both writing and speech, especially in formal or professional settings.

Q5. Is hisself ever accepted in modern English?

Hisself may exist in dialects or casual spoken English, but it is generally not accepted in formal, official, or academic contexts.