Themself Vs Themselves

Understanding the nuances of English grammar can be challenging, especially when it comes to pronouns and their correct usage. One common area of confusion is the distinction between themself and themselves. Both terms are used as reflexive pronouns, but they serve different purposes and are used in different contexts. This post will delve into the intricacies of themself vs. themselves, providing clear explanations and examples to help you master their usage.

Table of Contents

Understanding Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same. They reflect the action back to the subject. The most common reflexive pronouns are myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. However, the use of themself has gained prominence in recent years, particularly in contexts where gender-neutral language is preferred.

Themself vs. Themselves: The Basics

Themself is a singular reflexive pronoun, while themselves is a plural reflexive pronoun. The choice between the two depends on whether the subject is singular or plural.

When to Use Themself

Themself is used when the subject is singular and gender-neutral. This pronoun is particularly useful in situations where the gender of the subject is unknown or irrelevant. For example:

Someone left their book on the table and forgot to take it with themself.
Each student should bring their own supplies and take care of themself during the exam.

In these examples, themself is used because the subject (someone, each student) is singular and gender-neutral.

When to Use Themselves

Themselves is used when the subject is plural. It reflects the action back to multiple subjects. For example:

The students completed their assignments and handed them in to the teacher themselves.
The team members congratulated themselves on a job well done.

In these examples, themselves is used because the subjects (the students, the team members) are plural.

Common Mistakes and Clarifications

One of the most common mistakes is using themselves when the subject is singular. This can lead to grammatical errors and confusion. For example:

Incorrect: Someone left their book on the table and forgot to take it with themselves.
Correct: Someone left their book on the table and forgot to take it with themself.

Similarly, using themself with a plural subject is also incorrect. For example:

Incorrect: The students completed their assignments and handed them in to the teacher themself.
Correct: The students completed their assignments and handed them in to the teacher themselves.

Gender-Neutral Language and Themself

The use of themself has become more prevalent in gender-neutral language. It provides an alternative to gender-specific pronouns like himself or herself, making language more inclusive. For example:

A person should always trust their instincts and take care of themself.
Everyone should be responsible for their own actions and hold themself accountable.

In these examples, themself is used to avoid specifying the gender of the subject, making the language more inclusive.

Examples in Different Contexts

To further illustrate the use of themself vs. themselves, let’s look at some examples in different contexts.

Formal Writing

In formal writing, it is essential to use the correct reflexive pronoun to maintain clarity and professionalism. For example:

Each participant should review their notes and prepare themself for the presentation.
The committee members discussed the proposal and made their decision themselves.

Informal Writing

In informal writing, such as emails or social media posts, the use of themself vs. themselves can still be important for clarity. For example:

I hope everyone enjoys the party and takes care of themself.
We all worked hard on the project and are proud of ourselves.

Academic Writing

In academic writing, precision is key. Using the correct reflexive pronoun ensures that your arguments are clear and well-articulated. For example:

Each researcher should analyze their data and draw their own conclusions themself.
The group of scientists collaborated on the experiment and published their findings themselves.

Practical Tips for Correct Usage

Here are some practical tips to help you use themself vs. themselves correctly:

Identify the subject of the sentence and determine if it is singular or plural.
Use themself for singular, gender-neutral subjects.
Use themselves for plural subjects.
Avoid using themselves with singular subjects and themself with plural subjects.

💡 Note: If you are unsure about the gender of the subject, using themself is a safe and inclusive option.

Common Questions and Answers

Here are some common questions and answers related to themself vs. themselves:

Can Themself Be Used with Plural Subjects?

No, themself should not be used with plural subjects. It is a singular reflexive pronoun and should only be used with singular, gender-neutral subjects.

Is Themself a New Pronoun?

While themself has gained more prominence in recent years, it is not a new pronoun. It has been used in English for centuries, particularly in contexts where gender-neutral language is preferred.

Can Themself Be Used in Formal Writing?

Yes, themself can be used in formal writing, especially when gender-neutral language is appropriate. It helps to avoid gender-specific pronouns and makes the language more inclusive.

What Are Some Alternatives to Themself?

Some alternatives to themself include:

Pronoun	Usage
Himself or Herself	Used when the gender of the subject is known.
One’s own	Used to avoid using reflexive pronouns altogether.
Their own	Used in informal contexts to avoid gender-specific pronouns.

However, these alternatives may not always be suitable for gender-neutral language.

In conclusion, understanding the difference between themself vs. themselves is crucial for clear and effective communication. By following the guidelines and examples provided in this post, you can master the correct usage of these reflexive pronouns and enhance your writing skills. Whether you are writing formally, informally, or academically, using the correct reflexive pronoun ensures that your message is clear and inclusive.

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