Word: Himself

Pronunciation

/ˈhɪmˈself/

Definitions

• Pronoun (reflexive): Used to refer back to a male person previously mentioned or easily identified, emphasizing that the subject is acting alone or on his own behalf. For example: “He dressed himself quickly for the meeting.”
• Emphatic Pronoun: Used to emphasize the subject, especially to indicate that no one else was involved. For example: “He himself did not believe the news.”

Phrases

• “By himself”: Meaning alone, without any assistance or company. Example: “He decided to finish the project by himself.”
• “Himself included”: To include the male person being referred to among others. Example: “All the boys, himself included, were excited about the trip.”
• “Do it to/for oneself”: When someone performs an action independently. Example: “He wanted to learn how to cook for himself.”

Example Sentences

• Reflexive Pronoun: “The boy tied his shoes himself this morning.”
• Emphatic Pronoun: “No one but he himself could have guessed the outcome.”

Synonyms

• Himself can be replaced with other reflexive pronouns in specific contexts:
  • Oneself (gender-neutral)
  • Himself (when referring to a male)
  • Herself (when referring to a female)
  • Itself (when referring to a non-person entity)

However, note that “himself” is unique as an emphatic pronoun, where its synonyms would be different ways to emphasize the same subject:

• Personally
• Directly
• Specifically
• Individually