Himself or Him Self – Which is Correct?
Ah, the English language, with its endless list of rules and exceptions, can be quite baffling at times. One question that often arises is whether to use “himself” or “him self” in a sentence. Well, fear not! I am here to shed some light on this dilemma.
The correct form is actually “himself.” When used as a reflexive pronoun, we combine the personal pronoun “him” with the intensifying suffix “-self.” This creates a word that refers back to the subject of the sentence and emphasizes the action of that subject upon itself.
Let’s take a closer look at some examples to illustrate this point:
1. He hurt himself while playing football.
In this sentence, “he” is the subject, and “himself” is the reflexive pronoun. It emphasizes that the action of hurting was done by the subject, “he,” to himself.
2. She congratulated herself for accomplishing the task.
Here, “she” is the subject, and “herself” is the reflexive pronoun. It emphasizes that the action of congratulating was done by the subject, “she,” to herself.
3. They prepared themselves for the upcoming exam.
In this case, “they” is the subject, and “themselves” is the reflexive pronoun. It emphasizes that the action of preparing was done by the subject, “they,” to themselves.
Now, you might be wondering why we don’t use “him self” instead. Well, that’s because “him self” would be grammatically incorrect. When used together as two separate words, “him” and “self” do not function as a reflexive pronoun.
To further clarify this, let’s consider a few examples:
1. Incorrect: He hurt him self while playing football.
2. Incorrect: She congratulated her self for accomplishing the task.
3. Incorrect: They prepared them selves for the upcoming exam.
In each of these incorrect sentences, the use of “him self,” “her self,” and “them selves” is erroneous. The reflexive pronoun should always be written as a single word, “himself,” “herself,” or “themselves.”
Think of it like a puzzle piece. “Himself” fits perfectly into the structure of the sentence, indicating the action performed by the subject on themselves. On the other hand, “him self” leaves a gap, creating a grammatical error.
So, remember, when you want to express an action that the subject performs on themselves, reach for the trusty “himself,” “herself,” or “themselves.” This will ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and that you convey your intended meaning accurately.
In conclusion, the correct form is “himself,” not “him self.” By using the reflexive pronoun in its proper form, you will demonstrate a strong command of English grammar and avoid any confusion that may arise. So, go ahead and confidently choose “himself” for those reflexive moments in your writing and speaking. Your English skills will shine brightly!