Have you ever heard someone say “hisself” instead of “himself”? 🤔 If so, you may have wondered whether hisself is a real word or simply a grammar mistake.
This question often comes up because hisself appears in casual conversations, regional dialects, movies, and novels, while himself is the standard form taught in schools.
The simple answer is that himself is the correct reflexive pronoun in standard English. Hisself is considered nonstandard English and is mainly used in certain regional dialects or for stylistic effect in literature and dialogue.
Quick Answer
Which Is Correct: Hisself or Himself?
Himself is the correct form in standard English.
- Himself = Standard reflexive pronoun used in formal and informal English.
- Hisself = Nonstandard form used mainly in some regional dialects and informal speech.
For school, work, academic writing, and professional communication, always use himself.
What Does “Himself” Mean?
Definition of Himself
Himself is a reflexive pronoun used when the subject and object of a sentence refer to the same male person or animal.
It can also be used for emphasis.
Examples of “Himself”
He taught himself to play the guitar.
John introduced himself to the new students.
He looked at himself in the mirror.
The cat cleaned himself after eating.
The CEO signed the letter himself.
What Does “Hisself” Mean?
Is Hisself a Real Word?
Hisself appears in some dictionaries as a nonstandard dialect word, but it is not considered correct in standard English.
It is often heard in:
- Regional dialects
- Informal speech
- Fictional dialogue
- Historical writing
Writers sometimes use hisself to show a character’s accent or local speech pattern.
Examples of “Hisself”
Informal dialect:
“He fixed it hisself.”
Standard English:
He fixed it himself.
Informal dialect:
“The boy hurt hisself.”
Standard English:
The boy hurt himself.
Hisself vs Himself
Comparison Table
| Feature | Himself | Hisself |
| Correct in Standard English | Yes | ❌ No |
| Part of Speech | Reflexive pronoun | Nonstandard reflexive form |
| Used in Formal Writing | Yes | ❌ No |
| Used in Everyday Standard English | Yes | Rarely |
| Found in Regional Dialects | No | Yes |
| Recommended for Exams | Yes | ❌ No |
Key Differences
The difference is simple:
- Himself is the standard and correct form.
- Hisself is a dialectal variation and should generally be avoided in formal writing.
Why Do People Confuse Hisself and Himself?
Regional Speech
Some English dialects naturally use hisself, especially in informal conversations.
Hearing Before Learning
Children often learn spoken language before written grammar, so they may hear hisself from family or friends.
Fiction and Movies
Authors sometimes write hisself to make dialogue sound authentic.
When Should You Use “Himself”?
Correct Situations
Use himself in:
- Essays
- Emails
- Business writing
- Academic papers
- Exams
- Professional conversations
- Everyday standard English
Correct Examples
He prepared himself for the interview.
Michael blamed himself for the mistake.
The athlete challenged himself to improve.
He completed the project himself.
When Might You See “Hisself”?
Acceptable Situations
You may encounter hisself in:
- Regional dialects
- Novels
- Historical fiction
- Movie scripts
- Character dialogue
Examples:
“He built the cabin hisself.”
“He told me hisself.”
These are stylistic choices, not examples of standard grammar.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Hisself in Formal Writing
❌ He introduced hisself.
He introduced himself.
Mistake 2: Assuming Hisself Is Standard English
While hisself exists in some dialects, it is not accepted in standard written English.
Mistake 3: Using Dialect in Academic Work
Always use himself in:
- School assignments
- Research papers
- Job applications
- Professional documents
Easy Memory Trick
Think of the Pronoun
The object pronoun is:
Him
Not:
His
So the reflexive form becomes:
Him + self = Himself
Not:
His + self = Hisself
Another Trick
Remember:
- Him → Himself
- His → His book
- Hisself ❌ (Standard English)
Real-Life Examples
Business Email
“The manager reviewed the report himself.”
Classroom
“The student challenged himself to improve his grades.”
Sports
“He pushed himself to finish the marathon.”
Novel Dialogue
“He’ll do it hisself, don’t worry.”
(This reflects a character’s dialect.)
Social Media
“He taught himself graphic design through online tutorials. 👏”
Everyday Conversation
“My grandfather repaired the fence himself.”
Historical Fiction
“The old farmer said he’d build it hisself.”
British vs American English
Is There a Difference?
No.
Both British English and American English recognize himself as the correct standard form.
Hisself exists in certain dialects in both countries but is not considered standard English.
Usage Trends
Himself Is Common In
- Books
- Newspapers
- Academic writing
- Business communication
- Everyday English
- Professional writing
Hisself Is Common In
- Regional dialects
- Fictional dialogue
- Historical novels
- Informal speech
- Plays and screenplays
Grammar Tips
Himself Is a Reflexive Pronoun
Use himself when the subject and object are the same person.
Examples:
He blamed himself.
David introduced himself.
Himself Can Add Emphasis
Examples:
The president himself attended the meeting.
The chef himself prepared the meal.
More Example Sentences
Examples Using Himself
He reminded himself to stay calm.
James taught himself French.
The actor prepared himself for the role.
He introduced himself politely.
The boy dressed himself.
My father fixed the sink himself.
He believed in himself.
The author signed the books himself.
Examples Using Hisself (Dialect Only)
He hurt hisself while climbing the tree.
He’ll take care of it hisself.
The farmer built it hisself.
He made dinner hisself.
These examples reflect nonstandard dialect usage and should not be used in formal writing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it hisself or himself?
Himself is the correct form in standard English. Hisself is a nonstandard dialect form.
Is hisself a real word?
Yes, hisself exists as a dialect word, but it is not accepted in standard English grammar.
Can I use hisself in formal writing?
No. Use himself in essays, emails, exams, business writing, and professional communication.
Why do some people say hisself?
Some regional dialects use hisself naturally in everyday speech. Writers may also use it in dialogue to reflect a character’s way of speaking.
Is himself a reflexive pronoun?
Yes. Himself is the standard reflexive pronoun for he.
Do British and American English both use himself?
Yes. Both varieties use himself as the standard form.
How can I remember the correct word?
Remember:
Him + self = Himself
Not:
His + self = Hisself ❌
Conclusion
The difference between hisself and himself comes down to standard grammar versus regional dialect. Himself is the correct reflexive pronoun used in both British and American English and should always be used in formal writing, academic work, and professional communication. Hisself, while found in some dialects and literary dialogue, is considered nonstandard and should generally be avoided unless you’re intentionally reflecting regional speech.
A simple way to remember the rule is: “The object pronoun is him, so the reflexive form is himself.” Choosing himself will ensure your writing is clear, accurate, and grammatically correct.
Sophia Collins is a passionate English grammar writer at GrammBoost.com who loves making the English language simple and easy to understand. She creates clear, beginner-friendly guides on grammar, spelling, word differences, and common language mistakes. Her goal is to help students, writers, and English learners build confidence and improve their writing through practical, easy-to-follow explanations.
