Have you ever found yourself confused about whether to use “hisself” or “himself” in a sentence? Well, fear not! it is my pleasure to shed some light on this common conundrum. In a nutshell, “himself” is the correct form, while “hisself” is considered grammatically incorrect. Let’s delve deeper into the reasons behind this and explore some examples to illustrate the point.
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that English is a constantly evolving language. Over time, certain dialects or regional variations may emerge, resulting in new words or grammatical structures. However, when it comes to proper English grammar, adhering to the normative rules is crucial.
Now, imagine you’re at a party, and someone asks you, “Did John fix the car hisself?” Notice how “hisself” doesn’t sound quite right? That’s because it goes against the accepted standard of English grammar. The correct form in this case would be, “Did John fix the car himself?”
Why is “hisself” incorrect? Well, “himself” is what we call a reflexive pronoun. It indicates that the action described in the sentence is being performed by the same person mentioned earlier. Consider the following examples:
1. John prepared himself for the job interview.
2. Sarah taught herself how to play the guitar.
In both sentences, the reflexive pronouns “himself” and “herself” show that the actions of preparing and teaching were performed by John and Sarah, respectively. Using “hisself” or “herself” would be erroneous because they don’t align with the established structure of reflexive pronouns in English.
Let’s explore some more examples to highlight the correct usage of “himself”:
1. David blamed himself for the mistake.
2. Julia congratulated herself on the victory.
3. Mark reminded himself to buy milk on the way home.
In each sentence, “himself” is used to show that the subject of the sentence is also the object of the action being performed. It provides clarity and maintains the integrity of the English language.
To better understand why “hisself” may have gained some popularity, it is worth mentioning that certain dialects or colloquialisms in English may include regional variations. For example, in some parts of the United States, you might hear someone say, “He did it hisself.” While this form may be acceptable in informal spoken language within a specific context, it is still considered non-standard English.
In conclusion, the correct form is “himself.” Using “hisself” in a sentence would be a grammatical error. Remember, it’s essential to adhere to the accepted rules of English grammar, especially when it comes to formal writing and examinations such as the IELTS. So, let’s steer clear of “hisself” and embrace the correct form of “himself” to showcase our language proficiency and communicate effectively.