myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "myself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a reflexive pronoun to emphasize a specific noun (e.g., "I was at the store myself") or in place of a subject pronoun when referring back to the same person previously mentioned. For example, "I went to the store, and myself bought some extra snacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And perhaps most importantly, he has bragging rights in the Blair household – Cherie's Speaking for Myself sold 3,877 in its first week," he added.

The Guardian - Books

Myself included.

The New York Times

Some days I don't think I'm going to make it and just feel like killing myself.

The Guardian

I couldn't have said it better myself.

The New York Times

How can I protect myself?

The Guardian - Tech

"It's pretty horrific to push a mother to a point of saying, 'Well, if I need to sacrifice myself for my children, maybe that's what I'll do,' " she said.

The Guardian

"If what I have been told is true then it will be obvious to everyone that I find myself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

The Guardian

I couldn't defend myself.

The Guardian

In the end, myself and my girlfriend (also a mental health worker) took Byron out for dinner.

The Guardian

In March 1963 I had the misfortune to find myself standing in the dock in the Old Bailey.

The Guardian

I always compare myself to the greats and I am just glad to be in the company of those guys.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "myself" for emphasis, but avoid overusing it in place of "I" in compound subjects or objects. While commonly done, some consider it grammatically incorrect (e.g., "John and myself went to the store.").

Common error

Avoid using "myself" in place of "I" or "me" when it is not a reflexive or intensive pronoun. For example, instead of saying "John and myself went to the store", use "John and I went to the store". Also, avoid using it as a substitute for "me" such as "This gift is for John and myself", use "This gift is for John and me".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "myself" is as a reflexive or intensive pronoun. As stated by Ludwig AI, it reflects back to the speaker or emphasizes their direct involvement in an action. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "myself" functions primarily as a reflexive or intensive pronoun, used either to reflect an action back on the subject or to provide emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While commonly found in news and media, overuse as a substitute for "I" or "me" should be avoided to maintain grammatical accuracy and avoid sounding pretentious. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its appropriate use in various contexts, reinforcing its role in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I myself

Simple intensification of the pronoun 'I', used for emphasis and stress.

speaking for myself

Clarifies that the speaker is expressing their own views, comparable to using "myself" to denote personal perspective.

I personally

Emphasizes the speaker's individual involvement or perspective, similar to using "myself" for emphasis.

on my own behalf

Indicates action taken to represent or act for oneself, mirroring the reflexive nature of "myself".

for my part

Highlights the speaker's contribution or opinion, much like using "myself" to emphasize personal involvement.

as for me

Introduces the speaker's perspective or situation, similar to using "myself" to direct attention to the speaker.

my very self

Offers a more emphatic and dramatic way to refer to oneself, amplifying the self-reference inherent in "myself".

I, for one

Emphasizes the speaker's individual stance or opinion, mirroring the emphatic use of "myself".

by my own hand

Indicates that something was done independently or personally, reflecting the self-referential nature of "myself".

the author

Referring to yourself in the third person, a stylistic choice with a similar effect to emphasizing "myself".

FAQs

How do I use "myself" in a sentence?

"Myself" is used as a reflexive pronoun when the subject and object of a verb are the same (e.g., "I treated myself to a spa day") or for emphasis (e.g., "I myself saw it happen").

Is it correct to say "myself and John went to the store"?

No, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. You should use "John and I went to the store" instead. Using "myself" in place of "I" is a common mistake.

When should I use "myself" instead of "me"?

Use "myself" when the action reflects back on you (reflexive) or to emphasize that you, specifically, performed the action. For example, "I will do it myself". Avoid using "myself" as a simple substitute for "me", such as "Give it to John and me", not "Give it to John and myself".

What are some alternatives to using "myself" for emphasis?

You can use alternatives like "I personally", "I for one", or "speaking for myself" to add emphasis to your statement.