still himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "still himself" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that someone remains true to their identity or character despite changes or challenges. An example could be: "Even after all the hardships, he was still himself." Alternative expressions include "remains himself" and "stays true to himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But he's still himself".

The New York Times - Sports

And Mr. Nichols's greatest improvisation is still himself.

The New York Times

He's matured a bit during this experience, but he's still himself.

The New Yorker

But for those few weeks in the fall of 1988 the book was still "only a novel," and he was still himself.

The New Yorker

We could see his face, that it was Giles, that he was still himself and he was still with us," she remembers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Daley, who was cheered loudly every time he appeared, can sometimes take longer to still himself on the board than his rivals.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Justice Blackmun himself was still kicking himself years later — for leaving Mel Ott off his list.

The New York Times - Books

He still considers himself a Spanish citizen.

The New Yorker

Mr Farrell is doubtless still kicking himself.

Independent

Enter Peter Trego eventually, still tidying himself up.

The Guardian - Sport

Actually, Martinez still considers himself a New Yorker.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase works best after a linking verb like 'be' or 'remain' to serve as a subjective complement.

Common error

Avoid using "still himself" if you are only referring to physical appearance. The phrase carries a strong connotation of personality and essence. If you only mean someone looks the same, consider using "looks the same" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still himself" typically functions as an adjectival phrase or a subjective complement following a linking verb (e.g., 'is', 'was', 'remains'). According to Ludwig AI, the adverb 'still' modifies the state of the reflexive pronoun 'himself', indicating a persistence of identity or character over time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Arts & Lifestyle

15%

Wiki & General Knowledge

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "still himself" is a robust and highly expressive phrase used to denote that a person has maintained their fundamental identity. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically correct and widely accepted construction, particularly within elite media. Whether describing a rookie athlete who hasn't let fame get to his head or a person recovering from an injury, the phrase emphasizes that the core of the individual remains unchanged. While alternatives like "remains himself" or "is true to himself" are available, "still himself" offers a concise and emotionally resonant way to communicate stability of character.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains himself

Uses a more formal verb to emphasize the state of being

stays himself

A slightly more informal and direct version of the phrase

is still his usual self

Emphasizes the regularity and predictability of his behavior

has stayed himself

Uses the present perfect to show duration up to the present moment

stays true to himself

Adds a moral or ethical dimension to maintaining one's character

is his old self

Focuses on returning to or maintaining a previous known state of personality

retains his character

Focuses specifically on moral or personality traits

remains unchanged

A more literal and broader description of continuity

has not changed

A simple negative construction expressing the same concept

keeps his identity

Focuses on the preservation of a specific social or personal identity

FAQs

How do I use "still himself" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's character remaining constant, for example: "Despite the pressure of the presidency, he was "still himself" during the interview".

What is the difference between "still himself" and "remains himself"?

While both are correct, "remains himself" sounds slightly more formal, whereas "still himself" is more common in neutral and narrative journalism.

Is "still himself" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is entirely correct. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a complement to a linking verb, where 'still' is an adverb of time/state and 'himself' is a reflexive pronoun referring back to the subject.

Can I say "still his old self" instead?

Yes, "still his old self" is a common variation that explicitly compares his current state to a previous time.