One of my pet peeves when editing manuscripts is the incorrect use of the
pronoun myself and its friends, yourself, yourselves, himself, herself, themselves, and itself. It is amazing to me that words that have only three grammar rules regarding them are so often misused by writers. I would like to encourage everyone reading this article to take the time to learn the basic rules for using these pronouns and apply them. It might mean the difference between having one of your manuscripts accepted or rejected.
Rules of use for the pronoun myself:
1. Myself is used when the subject and object are the same. Examples:
a. I need to learn not to take myself so seriously.
b. I wish I could learn not to be critical of myself.
c. If I know what’s good for me, I’ll get myself out of here in a hurry!
2. Myself is used when you need to clarify that the subject has performed some action alone or unassisted. Examples:
a. I can’t possibly pick that rock up by myself.
b. I cannot tell a lie; I ate the whole pie myself.
c. I am amazed that I raked the entire yard by myself in only two hours.
3. Myself is used when the pronoun acts to emphasize another word (It is then called and intensive pronoun.) Examples:
a. I myself would never want to get caught in that situation.
b. I hate to admit it, but I myself am the guilty party.
*Please note: The word myself and the other pronouns listed should never be used as the subject of a sentence and are not used correctly if used in any setting other than those covered by the three grammar rules above. Myself should never be substituted for the pronoun me.
Examples of the incorrect use of the word myself:
1. Used as the subject of a sentence: Incorrect: Two of my friends and myself found a lost puppy. Correct use: Two of my friends and I found a lost puppy.
2. Used in place of the pronoun me. Incorrect: My cousin Jeff went to the ball game with my son and myself. Correct use: My cousin Jeff went to the ball game with my son and me.
Rules for the use of the pronouns yourself, yourselves, herself, himself, themselves, and itself:
1. Used when the subject and object are the same. Examples:
a. You take yourself too seriously (singular). You take yourselves too seriously (plural).
b. She looked at herself critically.
c. He was stuck on himself.
d. It couldn’t get itself out of the trap.
e. They thought more highly of themselves than they should.
2. Used when the subject has performed an action alone or unassisted. Examples:
a. You need to study by yourself.
b. She did all of the decorating herself.
c. He taught the lesson himself.
d. The children went to the playground all by themselves.
e. The puppy had gotten itself lost.
3. Used when the pronoun acts to emphasize another word. Examples:
a. John himself doesn’t know how he broke his fishing rod.
b. My reputation itself was at risk.
c. We ourselves expected to be rescued.
Write right and get your work accepted and published!
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