Its Self or Itself? The Complete Guide To Correct Usage, Grammar Rules

Have you ever paused while writing and wondered whether its self or itself is correct? You’re not alone. This is a common question because English contains many words that look like they could be written separately.

The good news is that the answer is straightforward. Itself is the correct word in standard English, while its self is almost always considered incorrect in modern writing. Understanding why can help you write more confidently and avoid a mistake that grammar checkers often flag.

In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between its self and itself, when to use the correct form, common grammar rules, examples, and tips to remember the spelling.

Is It “Its Self” or “Itself”?

The correct spelling is itself written as one word.

“Itself” is a reflexive pronoun used when something refers back to the subject “it.”

Correct Examples

• The cat cleaned itself after eating.
• The computer restarted itself.
• The door locked itself automatically.
• The company reinvented itself over the years.
• The phone turned itself off.

Incorrect Examples

• ❌ The computer restarted its self.
• ❌ The machine repaired its self.
• ❌ The dog cleaned its self.

In almost every situation, its self should be replaced with itself.

What Does “Itself” Mean?

Itself is a reflexive pronoun that refers back to a thing, animal, object, organization, or idea already mentioned.

It Is Used When…

1. The Subject and Object Are the Same

The action happens to the same thing performing it.

Examples:

• The robot programmed itself.
• The printer reset itself.
• The plant protects itself from insects.

2. For Emphasis

“Itself” can emphasize a noun.

Examples:

• The product itself is excellent.
• The house itself is beautiful.
• The problem itself isn’t difficult.

3. With Inanimate Objects

Unlike “himself” or “herself,” itself is used for objects and animals whose gender isn’t specified.

Examples:

• The car parked itself.
• The software updates itself automatically.

Why Is “Its Self” Incorrect?

Many people separate the word because it looks similar to phrases like:

• my self
• your self
• her self

However, modern English combines reflexive pronouns into one word:

Pronoun	Correct Reflexive
I	myself
You	yourself
He	himself
She	herself
We	ourselves
They	themselves
It	itself

Since every reflexive pronoun is written as one word, itself follows the same rule.

Itself vs Its: Know the Difference

Many learners confuse its and itself because they both begin with “it.”

Word	Meaning	Example
Its	Possessive adjective	The dog wagged its tail.
Itself	Reflexive pronoun	The dog cleaned itself.

Easy Trick

If you can replace the word with himself or herself, you need itself.

Common Mistakes Writers Make

Here are mistakes that frequently appear in emails, essays, and online posts.

❌ The company rebuilt its self after the crisis.

✅ The company rebuilt itself after the crisis.

❌ The phone shut its self down.

✅ The phone shut itself down.

❌ The machine fixed its self.

✅ The machine fixed itself.

Real-Life Example: Why This Small Mistake Matters

Imagine you’re writing a business proposal for a client. You include the sentence:

“Our software updates its self automatically after installation.”

Even though the idea is clear, the incorrect spacing immediately stands out to experienced readers. It can make your writing appear less polished and may reduce confidence in the professionalism of your document.

Now compare it with:

“Our software updates itself automatically after installation.”

The sentence reads naturally, follows standard English grammar, and looks much more professional.

This same issue appears in blog posts, academic essays, product manuals, marketing copy, and emails. Many writers make the mistake because they assume “self” should be a separate word. However, English reflexive pronouns have been standardized as single words for centuries.

Taking a few seconds to check words like itself, yourself, and themselves can significantly improve the quality of your writing and help you avoid unnecessary grammar corrections.

Grammar Tip: A Simple Way to Remember

Whenever you see a word ending in -self or -selves, ask yourself:

Is this a reflexive pronoun?

If yes, it should almost always be one word.

Examples:

• myself
• yourself
• himself
• herself
• ourselves
• themselves
• itself

Never split these words into two separate words in standard English.

What Grammar Experts Say

Major English style guides and dictionaries consistently list itself as the correct reflexive pronoun.

Trusted references include:

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary
• Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries

These sources define itself as a single-word reflexive pronoun and do not recognize its self as the standard spelling in modern English.

FAQs

Q1: Is “its self” ever correct?

A: In modern English, almost never. The standard and correct form is itself.

Q2: Why is “itself” one word?

A: Because all English reflexive pronouns are written as one word, including myself, yourself, and themselves.

Q3: Is “itself” a pronoun?

A: Yes. It is a reflexive pronoun used when the subject and object refer to the same thing.

Q4: Can “itself” be used for animals?

A: Yes. It is commonly used for animals when their gender isn’t specified.

Example: The puppy entertained itself.

Q5: What’s the difference between “its” and “itself”?

A: Its shows possession, while itself refers back to the subject.

Example:

• The company changed its policy.
• The company reinvented itself.

Q6: How can I remember the correct spelling?

A: Remember that every reflexive pronoun in English is written as a single word. If you’re referring back to “it,” always use itself.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever wondered whether its self or itself is correct, the answer is simple: itself is the proper spelling in modern English. It functions as a reflexive pronoun and should always be written as one word in standard writing.

By understanding this grammar rule and practicing with real examples, you’ll avoid a common mistake and write with greater confidence. The next time you’re tempted to write its self, remember that itself is the correct choice every time.

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