Hisself vs Himself: What’s the Real Difference 

Hisself vs Himself confuses many because hisself sounds natural in talk but only himself fits correct English usage in formal writing today.

If you’ve ever felt confused using himself, you’re not alone. I’ve heard someone say he did it hisself, and it sounds natural in conversation. It rolls off the tongue, and you hear it in movies, songs, and everyday talk. 

However, when referring to correct language, especially in formal writing, only one choice works. Himself is a pronoun used as a reflexive reference to a male human or animal previously mentioned in the text. 

Quick Answer for Busy Readers

If you want the short version, here it is:

• Himself is correct in all standard English writing
• Hisself is considered nonstandard and incorrect
• Use “hisself” only when quoting informal speech or writing dialogue

That’s the rule. Now let’s explore why that rule exists.

What Reflexive Pronouns Really Do in English

Reflexive pronouns point back to the subject of a sentence. They act like mirrors. The subject does something and the action reflects right back onto that same person.

For example:
“He blamed himself for the mistake.”

Here, he and himself refer to the same person.

Common Reflexive Pronouns in English

Subject	Reflexive Pronoun
I	myself
you	yourself
he	himself
she	herself
it	itself
we	ourselves
they	themselves

Each reflexive pronoun must match the subject. If the subject is he, the reflexive pronoun must be himself. There is no grammatical slot for “hisself.”

Where “Himself” Fits in Standard English

“Himself” comes from two parts:

• him (the object form of he)
• self (used to reflect the action back to the subject)

This structure follows a consistent pattern across English. You can see it clearly when you line the forms up:

• myself
• yourself
• himself
• herself

No reflexive pronoun replaces him with his. That switch is exactly where “hisself” goes wrong.

Why People Say “Hisself” in Real Life

If “hisself” is wrong, why do so many people say it?

The answer sits in spoken language, not grammar books.

Dialects and Speech Patterns

In many regional dialects, especially in casual or fast speech, sounds blend together. “Himself” often comes out as hisself when spoken quickly.

For example:
“He did it himself”
Becomes:
“He did it hisself”

This doesn’t mean the grammar changed. It only means pronunciation shifted.

Speech vs Writing

Spoken English is flexible. Written English is not.

People shorten words, blend sounds, and bend rules when they talk. Writing freezes those words on the page. That’s why grammar standards matter more in writing.

Why “Hisself” Is Incorrect in Standard English

“Hisself” fails on several levels.

It Breaks Pronoun Agreement

Reflexive pronouns must match the subject’s grammatical form.
“His” is a possessive adjective. Reflexive pronouns don’t use possessive forms.

You wouldn’t write:

• “I taught meself”
• “She hurt herself” becomes “herself,” not “her self”

So replacing him with his breaks the system.

It’s Not Recognized by Dictionaries

Major dictionaries like Merriam-Webster and Cambridge list hisself only as nonstandard or dialectal. That label matters.

Nonstandard words don’t belong in:

• Academic writing
• Professional communication
• Articles
• Reports
• Formal emails

Correct Usage of “Himself” With Clear Examples

“Himself” appears in two main ways.

Reflexive Use

This is the most common use. The subject performs an action on himself.

Examples:

• He taught himself Spanish.
• He blamed himself for the delay.
• He reminded himself to stay calm.

Emphatic Use

Sometimes “himself” adds emphasis rather than reflection.

Examples:

• The president himself signed the document.
• The author himself confirmed the rumor.

In these cases, “himself” highlights importance or identity.

Read More: Backyard or Back Yard: Which Is Correct in American English?

Side-by-Side Comparison

Incorrect	Correct
He fixed the car hisself	He fixed the car himself
He told hisself the truth	He told himself the truth
The coach hisself spoke	The coach himself spoke

Once you see it laid out, the difference becomes obvious.

An Analogy That Makes It Instantly Clear

Think of reflexive pronouns like mirrors.

A clean mirror shows a clear reflection.
“Himself” reflects the subject properly.

“Hisself” is like a warped mirror. The reflection bends. The structure breaks.

If the reflection doesn’t match the subject, the sentence feels off even if people still understand it.

Common Situations Where This Mistake Happens

Casual Writing

Text messages, comments, and captions often copy speech patterns. That’s where “hisself” sneaks in.

Dialogue in Stories

Writers sometimes use “hisself” intentionally to show accent or background. That’s acceptable in dialogue when done deliberately.

ESL Learners

English learners often assume “his” should match “he.” That logic makes sense but English reflexive pronouns don’t work that way.

Practical Tips to Always Get It Right

Here’s how to avoid the mistake without overthinking.

Use the Replacement Test

Swap the subject:

• If it works with myself, it should work with himself
• “I taught myself” → “He taught himself”

Read the Sentence Out Loud

If it sounds casual or slang-heavy, double-check it.

Remember the Pattern

All reflexive pronouns follow the same structure. None use possessive forms.

Common Grammar Myths to Ignore

“If People Say It, It Must Be Correct”

Spoken habits don’t rewrite grammar rules.

“Dialects Are Wrong”

Dialects aren’t wrong. They just follow different rules than standard written English.

“Writing Should Sound Exactly Like Speech”

Good writing sounds natural, but it still follows structure.

FAQs

1. Is “hisself” a real word?

Yes, hisself exists as a dialectal form, but it’s considered non-standard and grammatically incorrect in modern English.

2. Which one should you use in writing: himself or hisself?

You should always use himself, especially in formal or professional writing. It follows standard grammar rules.

3. Why do people still say “hisself”?

People say hisself because it sounds natural in speech and is common in some dialects, especially in everyday conversation.

4. Is “himself” only used for people?

No. Himself can refer to a male human or animal, as long as it’s already mentioned in the text.

5. Will using “hisself” hurt my English?

In casual speech, people may understand you. However, in writing or exams, using hisself can make your English seem incorrect.

Conclusion

The confusion between hisself and himself is understandable because spoken English often bends the rules. Still, when clarity and correctness matter, himself is the safe and proper choice. Knowing the difference helps you write with confidence and sound natural without breaking standard grammar.