Myself vs. My Self – Which is Correct?
The correct spelling is myself, always as a single word. My self, written as two separate words, is an incorrect spelling of the reflexive pronoun and should be avoided in standard English writing. It is a common grammatical error.
Myself or My Self – Which is Correct?
The distinction between “myself” and “my self” is straightforward: myself is the only correct form in standard English. It functions as a reflexive or intensive pronoun, referring back to the subject “I.” The two-word construction, “my self,” is a common misspelling that arises from incorrectly separating the components of the pronoun.
The root cause of this error is often phonetic confusion. Because “my” and “self” are recognizable words, some writers mistakenly combine them as two separate entities rather than recognizing “myself” as a single, established pronoun. However, “myself” has always been a single, compound word in its grammatical function.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
The best trick to remember the difference is simple: myself is always one word. Think of it like “himself,” “herself,” “itself,” and “themselves”—all are single, compound words. Just as you wouldn’t write “her self” or “them selves,” you should never write “my self.” If you can replace it with another reflexive pronoun, it must be a single word.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| myself | Reflexive/Intensive Pronoun | Refers to “I” as the object of a verb or preposition (reflexive), or adds emphasis to “I” (intensive). | I saw myself in the mirror. (Reflexive) I built the table myself. (Intensive) |
| my self | Incorrect | Grammatically incorrect; should be “myself.” (Note: “my self” can rarely refer to one’s individual identity in philosophical contexts, but not as a pronoun.) | Incorrect: I did it my self. Correct: I did it myself. |
How to Use Myself
The word “myself” is a first-person singular reflexive or intensive pronoun. It is used in two primary ways:
- Reflexive Pronoun: When the subject and object of a verb are the same person. It reflects the action back to the subject “I.” It always functions as an object (direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition).
- Intensive Pronoun (or Emphatic Pronoun): To add emphasis to the subject “I” or the object “me.” In this use, it can often be removed from the sentence without changing its core meaning, only reducing the emphasis.
Using “myself” as a substitute for “I” or “me” (e.g., “John and myself went to the store”) is generally considered informal or incorrect in standard English, often referred to as a “pronominal misuse” or “overcorrection.” Stick to “I” or “me” unless “myself” is truly reflexive or intensive.
Example 1 (Reflexive): I accidentally cut myself while chopping vegetables.
Example 2 (Intensive): I will personally handle the presentation myself.
Example 3 (Object of Preposition): I bought a new book for myself.
Etymology of the word Myself
The word “myself” traces its origins back to Old English. It is a compound of the possessive determiner “my” and the noun “self.” In Old English, the construction was often me self or min self, where “self” was used as an adjective or noun meaning “one’s own person.” Over time, these forms coalesced into the single-word reflexive pronoun we use today. The transition to a single word reflects its grammatical function as a unified pronoun rather than two separate lexical items. The “my” component emphasizes its first-person singular nature, while “self” indicates the reflexive or intensive quality.
Related Concepts
Understanding a few related grammatical concepts can help solidify the correct usage of “myself” and other reflexive pronouns.
- Reflexive Pronouns: These pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) are used when the subject and object of a verb refer to the same person or thing. They are essential for clarity in sentences where an action reflects back on the doer.
- Intensive Pronouns: Also known as emphatic pronouns, these are identical in form to reflexive pronouns but serve a different purpose. They add emphasis to a noun or pronoun already present in the sentence, typically the subject. For instance, “The CEO herself approved the project.”
- Possessive Determiners: Words like “my,” “your,” “his,” “her,” “its,” “our,” “their” are possessive determiners (or possessive adjectives). They modify a noun by indicating ownership or possession. It’s important not to confuse “my” (a possessive determiner) with “myself” (a pronoun). “My self” mistakenly treats “self” as a standalone noun modified by “my,” which is incorrect for the reflexive pronoun use.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “I must be cruel, only to be kind: Thus bad begins and worse remains behind.” — William Shakespeare, Hamlet (where “myself” would be the implied object of “be cruel to”)
- “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson (often paraphrased in relation to self-discovery, implying actions taken by myself)
- “I found myself wondering if I had made the right decision.” — A common narrative structure in novels, showing internal reflection.
- “It’s a strange thing, but when you are in a car, you feel like you are driving yourself, even if you are just a passenger.” — A common observation, where “yourself” is the reflexive pronoun.
- “I, myself, will ensure that the task is completed on time.” — A typical example of an intensive pronoun used for emphasis in formal declarations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Can “myself” be used as a subject or object directly?
No, “myself” should not typically be used as a direct subject or object in place of “I” or “me.” For example, “John and myself went to the store” is incorrect; it should be “John and I went to the store.” Similarly, “The gift was for John and myself” is incorrect; it should be “The gift was for John and me.” “Myself” should only be used reflexively (when “I” is both the actor and receiver) or intensively (for emphasis).
Question 2: Is “my self” ever correct in a philosophical context?
In very specific philosophical or psychological discourse, “my self” (two words) might be used to refer to one’s distinct identity, consciousness, or ego as a noun phrase (e.g., “exploring the depths of my self”). However, this is a highly specialized and uncommon usage, and it does not function as a pronoun. For the standard reflexive or intensive pronoun, “myself” (one word) is always correct.
Question 3: How can I tell if “myself” is being used correctly?
A good test is to try removing “myself” from the sentence. If the sentence still makes sense grammatically, it’s likely being used intensively for emphasis (e.g., “I, myself, saw it” becomes “I saw it”). If “myself” is the object of the verb or preposition and refers back to the subject “I,” it’s being used reflexively (e.g., “I taught myself to code”). If neither of these applies, and you’re using it in place of “I” or “me,” it’s probably incorrect.
Conclusion
In the ongoing discussion of “myself or my self,” the answer is unequivocally myself. This single-word reflexive and intensive pronoun is the only correct form in standard English. The two-word construction, “my self,” is a common grammatical error that should be avoided. By understanding its proper function—to reflect action back to the subject “I” or to add emphasis—you can ensure your writing is clear and grammatically sound. Always remember that reflexive pronouns like “myself,” “yourself,” and “himself” are compound words. Pro Tip: Using “myself” incorrectly can sometimes signal a lack of grammatical precision, potentially impacting your professional reputation in written communication. Stick to “myself” as one word to maintain clarity and credibility.
