The phrase themself has moved from informal speech into careful writing, challenging older rules that required himself or themselves. Modern editors and style guides now accept themself as a recognized singular pronoun when it refers back to a singular, gender-neutral subject.
Understanding themself as a word helps writers balance inclusivity, clarity, and grammatical credibility. This article explores history, usage norms, and practical guidance for deciding when themself fits your sentence.
| Form | Number | Typical Use | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| themself | Singular | Refers back to a singular antecedent such as “someone” or a named person using they/them pronouns | General to elevated |
| themselves | Plural or strongly reflexive | Plural they or emphasis on a plural group | General to elevated |
| himself or herself | Singular | Traditional gendered alternatives when not using they | Formal |
| themself | Singular | Preferred inclusive choice by many writers and organizations | Elevated and inclusive |
Historical Usage of Themself
Long before they became a singular pronoun, they had a history of flexible grammar in English. Themself appeared in medieval and early modern writing, sometimes as a singular form and sometimes as an emphatic or dative variant of themselves.
By the eighteenth century, grammarians began codifying rules that favored plural they and forms like himself or herself, often dismissing singular they as informal. In recent decades, linguistic practice has shifted, with many respected authorities recognizing singular they and forms like themself as standard in contemporary prose.
Guidelines for Using Themself Correctly
Writers often ask when it is correct to write themself. The key is to align the pronoun with a clearly singular antecedent that is explicitly or implicitly referred to with they, such as a person who identifies as nonbinary or a generic someone.
Avoid letting distance or intervening phrases obscure the link between antecedent and pronoun. When in doubt, test your sentence by replacing the noun with they and checking whether themself naturally follows as the reflexive match.
Themself in Style Guides and Institutional Writing
Major style guides and institutions now describe themself as acceptable in both editorial and professional contexts. For writers creating inclusive marketing, legal documents, academic work, or public-facing communications, themself can signal respect without sacrificing clarity.
Following documented usage notes helps you defend choices in peer review, legal review, or public editing. Maintaining consistency across a document is more important than rigid adherence to any single historical rule.
Practical Examples of Themself in Context
Real sentences show how themself functions in different registers and genres. These examples demonstrate reflexive use, emphasis, and alignment with singular they in natural situations.
- A researcher submitted their application and signed it themself to confirm accuracy.
- The author trusted themself to make the right editorial decision despite external pressure.
- Each participant reviewed the form and confirmed it themself before submission.
- When policy changed, the council updated their guidance and reaffirmed it themself.
Key Takeaways for Writers and Editors
Adopting precise, inclusive language around reflexive pronouns supports clarity and respect without sacrificing professionalism.
- Match themself to a singular antecedent that pairs with they.
- Reserve themselves for plural subjects or strong emphasis on groups.
- Check internal style guides and major references for updated guidance.
- Test readability by replacing the noun with they to confirm pronoun agreement.
- Maintain consistency across an entire document or series of documents.
FAQ
Reader questions
Is themself considered grammatically correct in formal writing?
Yes, major style guides now accept themself as grammatically correct when it refers to a singular antecedent used with they, especially in inclusive and professional contexts.
When should I use themself instead of themselves?
Use themself for a clearly singular antecedent and themselves for plural antecedents or when you want explicit emphasis on a group rather than an individual.
Can I use themself if my audience might be unfamiliar with singular they?
You can, but consider adding a brief clarifying reference or choosing a plural construction if clarity for a conservative audience is a priority.
Should I avoid themself in legal documents to prevent challenges?
Not necessarily; many legal style guides now support themself, but you should align usage with your organization’s style guide and ensure the antecedent is unambiguous.