In the debate of Themselves vs Themself, we see how grammar, clarity, and identity guide writers in modern English usage. Many writers, students, and professionals struggle with singular they, which works as a gender-neutral pronoun in real communication. In many cases, the subject, sentence, and clause help decide the correct reflexive pronoun, while style guides,
editors, and linguists continue shaping rules for formal writing and everyday communication. A key sentence shows this idea clearly: We compare Themselves vs Themself in grammar where writers choose forms based on singular they, clarity, and style guides today in modern use now.Historically, usage goes back to late 1300s, mid-1400s, with earliest evidence from 1466 and 1529, showing how reflexive pronoun forms evolved over time
. Today, modern usage supports both themselves and themself in singular pronoun contexts depending on context and precision. Institutions like the Associated Press, AP Stylebook, and Chicago Manual of Style editors have discussed this in Q&A section, conference presentation, and style guide updates. In practice, I’ve seen that when people understand language, they communicate with more clarity, respect, and confidence, whether in Twitter discussions, academic meetings, or real-world debate.
What Does “Themselves” Mean?
The word “themselves” is a reflexive pronoun. It refers back to a plural subject already mentioned in the sentence.
Here are a few examples:
- “The athletes challenged themselves.”
- “The students prepared themselves carefully.”
- “The employees introduced themselves.”
In every example, the people performing the action also receive the action.
Reflexive pronouns work like mirrors. The action reflects back toward the subject.
Common Reflexive Pronouns in English
| Subject Pronoun | Reflexive Pronoun |
| I | Myself |
| You | Yourself |
| He | Himself |
| She | Herself |
| It | Itself |
| We | Ourselves |
| They | Themselves |
Traditionally, English treated they as plural. Because of that, themselves became the accepted reflexive form for centuries.
That’s why these sentences sound perfectly natural:
- “The neighbors helped themselves.”
- “The players motivated themselves.”
- “The children entertained themselves.”
No grammatical confusion appears when the subject clearly refers to multiple people.
What Does “Themself” Mean?
The word “themself” functions as the singular reflexive form of singular “they.”
Examples include:
- “Each person should trust themself.”
- “Someone must ask themself why this matters.”
- “A student should prepare themself mentally before exams.”
Unlike “themselves,” the word “themself” refers to one person, not a group.
At first, the word may look strange. Many people grew up hearing only “themselves.” However, the rise of singular “they” changed modern English grammar significantly.
Once English speakers regularly started saying things like:
- “Someone forgot their phone.”
- “A manager should support their team.”
…it became logical to form a singular reflexive version too.
English naturally follows patterns like these:
| Singular Pronoun | Reflexive Form |
| He | Himself |
| She | Herself |
| One | Oneself |
| They | Themself |
That pattern explains why many modern writers prefer “themself” for singular subjects.
Singular They and the Rise of “Themself”
The debate around themself vs themselves largely comes from the growing use of singular “they.”
Many people believe singular “they” is brand new. That idea isn’t true at all.
Writers have used singular “they” for centuries.
Historical Use of Singular “They”
Famous writers who used singular “they” include:
- Shakespeare
- Jane Austen
- Geoffrey Chaucer
- Charles Dickens
For example, English speakers naturally say:
- “Someone left their jacket behind.”
Very few people would naturally say:
- “Someone left his or her jacket behind.”
The second sentence sounds stiff and unnatural in conversation.
Why Singular “They” Became More Popular
Several major language trends increased the use of singular “they.”
Gender-Neutral Communication
Modern writing avoids unnecessary gender assumptions.
Instead of:
- “Every employee should complete his paperwork.”
Writers now prefer:
- “Every employee should complete their paperwork.”
The second version feels smoother and more inclusive.
Simpler Sentence Structure
Singular “they” removes awkward constructions like:
- his or her
- he/she
- himself or herself
Readers generally prefer shorter and cleaner language.
Inclusive Language
Many nonbinary individuals use “they/them” pronouns. Because of that, singular “they” appears more frequently in schools, workplaces, websites, and official communication.
Once singular “they” became common, “themself” naturally followed.
The Key Difference Between “Themselves” and “Themself”
The difference becomes simple once you focus on number agreement.
| Word | Number | Usage | Example |
| Themselves | Plural | Refers to multiple people | “The players blamed themselves.” |
| Themself | Singular | Refers to one person using singular they | “Each player blamed themself.” |
Quick Rule to Remember
- One person = themself
- More than one person = themselves
This simple rule solves most grammar confusion immediately.
When to Use “Themselves”
Use themselves whenever the subject is plural.
Correct Examples of “Themselves”
- “The students taught themselves coding.”
- “The managers prepared themselves for the meeting.”
- “The children dressed themselves.”
Common Situations Where “Themselves” Appears
Group Discussions
- “The committee members introduced themselves.”
Sports Writing
- “The athletes pushed themselves harder during training.”
Workplace Communication
- “Employees should familiarize themselves with company policies.”
Why “Themselves” Still Sounds More Natural
For many readers, “themselves” feels more familiar because schools traditionally taught it for decades.
Even when a sentence uses singular “they,” many native speakers still automatically choose “themselves” out of habit.
For example:
- “Someone should ask themselves why.”
This sentence appears everywhere in modern English.
When to Use “Themself”
Use themself when the subject refers to one person using singular “they.”
Correct Examples of “Themself”
- “Each student should prepare themself.”
- “A person must trust themself.”
- “Someone should challenge themself regularly.”
Situations Where “Themself” Works Best
Inclusive Writing
- “Every applicant should present themself professionally.”
Educational Writing
- “A learner should motivate themself consistently.”
Workplace Policies
- “Each employee must identify themself at reception.”
In these examples, the subject clearly refers to one individual.
Is “Themself” Grammatically Correct?
Yes. “Themself” is grammatically correct in modern English.
Major dictionaries officially recognize the word.
Dictionary Recognition of “Themself”
| Dictionary | Accepts “Themself” |
| Merriam-Webster | Yes |
| Oxford English Dictionary | Yes |
| Cambridge Dictionary | Yes |
| Dictionary.com | Yes |
Language experts increasingly accept “themself” because it solves a real grammar need created by singular “they.”
Why Some People Still Dislike “Themself”
Despite growing acceptance, many readers still dislike the word.
That reaction usually comes from older grammar instruction.
For years, teachers corrected singular “they” automatically. Students learned rules like:
- “Use he or she.”
- “Never use they for one person.”
As a result, “themself” still feels unfamiliar to some audiences.
However, language changes constantly. Many words once considered incorrect later became normal.
Examples include:
- Online
- Texting
- Googling
Grammar evolves through repeated usage.
Historical Background of “Themself” and “Themselves”
Surprisingly, “themself” is not a modern invention.
The word appeared centuries ago in early English writing.
Early Origins of “Themself”
Historical texts show “themself” appearing as early as the 14th century.
English naturally forms reflexive pronouns this way:
- him + self
- her + self
- them + self
At one point, both “themself” and “themselves” existed side by side.
Later, grammar standardization pushed “themselves” into dominance. Now modern language trends are bringing “themself” back into mainstream usage.
Common Grammar Mistakes With “Themself” and “Themselves”
Many writers make predictable mistakes when using these pronouns.
Using “Themselves” for Singular Subjects
Example:
- “Each student should prepare themselves.”
Many people use this sentence naturally. However, some grammarians argue it creates number disagreement.
Better Version
- “Each student should prepare themself.”
Or rewrite the sentence:
- “Students should prepare themselves.”
Using “Themself” for Plural Subjects
Incorrect:
- “The employees blamed themself.”
Correct:
- “The employees blamed themselves.”
Plural subjects require plural reflexive pronouns.
Themselves vs Themself in Formal Writing
Formal writing creates the biggest debate around these words.
Different industries follow different standards.
Academic Writing
Some universities fully accept singular “they” and “themself.” Others prefer rewriting sentences into plural form.
Example Rewrite
Instead of:
- “Each researcher should prepare themself.”
Editors often prefer:
- “Researchers should prepare themselves.”
Business Communication
Corporate writing increasingly embraces inclusive language.
Modern businesses now use singular “they” regularly in:
- Employee handbooks
- HR policies
- Diversity statements
- Customer communication
Because of that, “themself” appears more often in professional writing.
Real-World Examples of “Themself” and “Themselves”
Understanding grammar becomes easier through practical examples.
Workplace Examples
Plural
- “Employees should protect themselves from phishing scams.”
Singular
- “Each employee should protect themself from phishing scams.”
Educational Examples
Plural
- “Students should organize themselves before exams.”
Singular
- “A student should organize themself before exams.”
Casual Conversation Examples
Many people casually say:
- “Someone should help themselves.”
Even though the subject is singular.
Why?
Because “themselves” still sounds more familiar in spoken English.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Correct Usage
| Incorrect | Correct |
| “The athletes blamed themself.” | “The athletes blamed themselves.” |
| “Each athlete blamed themselves.” | “Each athlete blamed themself.” |
| “The workers introduced themself.” | “The workers introduced themselves.” |
| “Someone should prepare themselves.” | “Someone should prepare themself.” |
Memory Tricks for Choosing the Right Word
Grammar becomes easier when you simplify it.
Simple Memory Rule
Singular Subject
Use themself
Example:
- “A writer should trust themself.”
Plural Subject
Use themselves
Example:
- “Writers should trust themselves.”
This simple approach solves most confusion instantly.
Alternatives That Avoid the Problem Completely
Sometimes rewriting the sentence works best.
Rewrite Into Plural Form
Instead of:
- “Each customer should prepare themself.”
Write:
- “Customers should prepare themselves.”
Plural structures often sound smoother and more natural.
Use Specific Pronouns
Instead of:
- “Someone should ask themself.”
Write:
- “The manager should ask herself.”
- “The player should ask himself.”
Specific wording can improve clarity dramatically.
How Inclusive Language Changed Modern Grammar
Language reflects cultural change.
As society became more aware of gender diversity, English adapted naturally.
That shift increased the use of:
- Singular they
- Gender-neutral writing
- Inclusive communication
Because of that evolution, “themself” gained more acceptance.
Modern English now prioritizes:
- Clarity
- Inclusivity
- Natural readability
Will “Themself” Become More Popular?
Current language trends suggest yes.
Why?
Because “themself” fills a logical grammar role.
Consider this pattern:
| Pronoun | Reflexive Form |
| He | Himself |
| She | Herself |
| They | Themself |
The structure feels grammatically consistent.
As singular “they” becomes more normalized, “themself” will likely continue growing in popularity.
Final Verdict on Themselves vs Themself
The debate around themselves vs themself reflects the natural evolution of English.
Here’s the easiest way to remember the difference:
Use “Themselves” When:
- Referring to multiple people
- Writing traditionally formal content
- Addressing conservative audiences
Use “Themself” When:
- Referring to one person using singular “they”
- Writing modern inclusive English
- Maintaining singular grammatical agreement
Both forms now exist in real-world English. Both appear in professional writing. Both appear in dictionaries.
The best choice depends on:
- Audience
- Writing style
- Context
- Tone
Above all else, prioritize clarity and natural flow.
Conclusion
The discussion of Themselves vs Themself shows how English is not fixed but always evolving. What started as a strict rule for a reflexive pronoun has now become a flexible choice shaped by modern usage, especially with the rise of singular they. While style guides, editors, and institutions like the Associated Press, AP Stylebook, and Chicago Manual of Style editors still guide formal writing, real-world usage in everyday communication shows that both forms appear depending on context, clarity, and precision. Understanding this balance helps writers, students, and professionals communicate more confidently without confusion.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between themselves and themself?
“Themselves” is the traditional plural reflexive form, while “themself” is used in modern English for singular “they” in some contexts.
2. Is “themself” grammatically correct?
Yes, many modern style guides and linguists accept it in specific singular pronoun contexts, though it is still less common in formal writing.
3. When should I use “themselves”?
Use “themselves” when referring to plural subjects or when following traditional grammar rules in formal writing.
4. When is “themself” appropriate?
“Themself” is often used when referring to a single person using singular they, especially to maintain clarity and inclusivity.
5. Do style guides like AP or Chicago allow “themself”?
Yes, but with caution. Some editions and discussions from the AP Stylebook and Chicago Manual of Style editors acknowledge its use in evolving language contexts.
6. Why is this topic important?
Because it affects clarity, identity, and precision in writing, especially in modern inclusive English communication.
