Hisself vs Himself – Which is Correct? A Complete Guide

When learning English, I realized that even native speakers sometimes use pronouns like hisself and himself incorrectly, and this can lead to confusion in conversation. Himself is the correct reflexive pronoun when the subject and object of a sentence refer to the same person, and using it correctly is important for clear communication, formal writing, and speaking. For example, if He made himself a sandwich, the action refers back to He, showing it was performed properly. This is why Hisself vs Himself – Which is Correct?A Complete Guide is essential to understand.

Hisself is seen in different varieties of English, especially in regions like the Southern United States. It is a dialectal variation that sometimes slips into regular usage as an accepted variant, but it is rarely used in standard English. Many people, even native speakers, mistake it as functionally equivalent to himself, yet the two are not official words with the same reference. In Old English, hisself formed by adding self to his, meaning belonging to a male, human or animal, previously mentioned in the text, reflecting the person’s self or his being. Over time, English speakers followed the path of least resistance, combined forms, and popular choice emerged, giving hisself some popularity.

From my own reading and experience, it’s interesting to see how words evolve. Choosing himself in formal writing and speaking ensures pronouns always refer back to the correct subject, avoids confusion, and keeps communication clear. Understanding these subtle differences helps guide us when writing about a male, human, animal, or person’s self, following the pronoun set and grammar rules to make the right choice.

What “Himself” Means and How to Use It

“Himself” is the correct reflexive pronoun for the third-person singular masculine. Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same. Think of it as a way of saying, “He did it to himself.”

Here’s how to use it correctly:

• Correct examples:
  • He made himself a sandwich.
  • The boy hurt himself while playing soccer
  • John taught himself to play the guitar.

Key rules to remember:

• Must match the subject in person, number, and gender.
• Always refers back to the subject of the sentence.

Reflexive pronouns like himself are crucial in both spoken and written English. Using them correctly shows attention to detail and helps avoid confusion.

What “Hisself” Means

“Hisself” is often heard in informal speech, certain dialects, or historical texts. It’s a nonstandard form of “himself” and is generally considered incorrect in modern English.

Where it comes from:

• Common in Southern American English, Appalachian English, and other dialects.
• Appeared historically in Middle English and Early Modern English.
• Likely originated from folk etymology, where the possessive “his” combined with “self” to create “hisself.”

Examples in dialect:

• He did it all by hisself.
• The man fixed the car hisself without any help.

While it persists in spoken dialects, hisself is never accepted in formal writing. Using it in academic papers, business emails, or professional contexts is considered a grammatical error.

Grammar Rules: When to Use “Himself”

Understanding reflexive pronouns helps you avoid mistakes with himself vs hisself. Here’s a quick guide:

Reflexive Pronoun Table

Subject	Correct Reflexive Pronoun	Common Nonstandard Error
He	Himself	Hisself
She	Herself	Herself (rarely altered)
They	Themselves	Themself (informal, dialect)
I	Myself	Myself (standard, no error)
You	Yourself	Yourself (standard, no error)

Rules to follow:

1. Match the pronoun to the subject.
2. Use himself in formal and standard English.
3. Avoid “hisself” unless writing dialectal dialogue or informal text.

Why “Hisself” Survived in English

You might wonder why “hisself” hasn’t disappeared entirely. The answer lies in history and regional dialects.

Historical Perspective:

• Middle English texts sometimes used “hisself.”
• Over time, standard English evolved to favor “himself,” but “hisself” lingered in spoken forms.

Dialectical Survival:

• Certain regions in the U.S., especially the South and Appalachia, continue to use “hisself.”
• Linguists call this nonstandard survival—the form persists orally even though writing standards have rejected it.

Linguistic Explanation:

• “Hisself” is simpler phonetically and follows a logical pattern: his + self = hisself.
• Language change often preserves speech forms in informal contexts.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Many people confuse dialectal usage with standard grammar rules. Let’s clarify some common errors:

Incorrect vs Correct Examples:

• Wrong: He did it all by hisself.
• Correct: He did it all by himself.
• Wrong: The boy fixed the bike hisself.
• Correct: The boy fixed the bike himself.

Other Misconceptions:

• Spellcheck may not flag “hisself” in informal text editors.
• Hearing “hisself” in speech doesn’t make it correct in formal writing.

Tip: If in doubt, always use himself.

When (If Ever) “Hisself” Can Be Used

Although nonstandard, “hisself” isn’t entirely useless. It can appear in:

• Creative writing: To depict authentic dialogue.
• Novels or plays: Reflect regional accents.
• Informal social media posts: Casual tone, friendly voice.

Example in a novel:

• “He went to the barn and fixed the wagon hisself,” said the old man, smiling.

Important: Avoid “hisself” in formal essays, reports, or business emails.

Read More: Backyard or Back Yard: Understanding the Correct Usage

Tips to Remember Correct Usage

Here are some simple ways to avoid the “hisself” trap:

• Mnemonic: If it’s standard, it’s himself. Dialects might hiss, but you don’t.
• Read aloud: Spoken English often reveals mistakes more clearly than written text.
• Double-check: Reflexive pronouns should always match the subject.

Quick Reference List:

• He → Himself ✅
• She → Herself ✅
• They → Themselves ✅
• I → Myself ✅
• You → Yourself ✅

Case Study: “Hisself” in Literature

Even famous writers occasionally used “hisself” to reflect speech patterns:

• Mark Twain: In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain uses “hisself” to capture the dialect of characters.
• Southern Folk Tales: Oral stories often retain “hisself” to keep authenticity.

Lesson: Historical usage exists, but modern English prefers “himself” for standard correctness.

Summary and Key Takeaways

• Himself is standard, correct, and should be used in formal writing.
• Hisself is nonstandard, dialectal, and only appropriate in informal or creative contexts.
• Historical use explains why it still appears in spoken English.
• Always match reflexive pronouns with the subject.
• Using himself correctly signals professionalism and literacy.

Remember:

“Good grammar is the bridge between understanding and misunderstanding.” – Anonymous

FAQs:

Q1: What is the difference between hisself and himself?

Himself is the correct reflexive pronoun in standard English, while hisself is an informal variant mostly used in regional dialects or casual conversation.

Q2: Can native speakers use hisself?

Yes, many native speakers use incorrectly in everyday speech, but it’s considered non-standard usage and should be avoided in formal writing or professional communication.

Q3: When should I always use himself?

Use himself when the subject and object are the same person, like in the sentence “He made himself a sandwich.” It ensures clarity and proper grammar rules.

Q4: Is hisself ever correct?

Hisself is seen in informal speech, family, or friends contexts, and in some regional dialects, but it is never preferred in academic writing or formal contexts.

Q5: Why do some people say hisself?

The variation comes from childhood misinterpretations, evolving language rules, and linguistic artifacts in certain communities, creating accepted variants in informal speech.

Conclusion:

Understanding hisself versus himself is essential for clear communication. Always choose himself in formal writing, academic contexts, and professional communication, while recognizing that hisself appears in informal contexts or regional dialects. Paying attention to reflexive pronouns, grammar rules, and nuances ensures you communicate effectively and avoid misunderstandings in any English context.