themself

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "themself" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a reflexive pronoun when referring to oneself, and is used as a gender-neutral form of "himself" and "herself". For example, "They took pride in themself for completing the project."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An inquest jury in 2007 decided the car driver had killed themself and in doing so had unlawfully killed those on the train.

The Guardian - Business

The real question for anyone who considers themself an environmentalist is whether, when a concrete programme comes to the table, they will set aside their qualms of economic principle or social justice and support it, warts and all.

The Economist

Six people set themself on fire during the demonstrations.

The Economist

A coroner must satisfy themself "beyond reasonable doubt" that the suicide was the result of an intended act.

Independent

Such is the scale of the departure from the prepared script of coalition wrangling that no one can quite bring themself to believe it.

Independent

An 18-year-old accomplice also handed themself in to a police station.

Independent

"Somebody I knew threw themself off a roof," Ms. Ortiz said.

The New York Times

SUNDAY'S PUZZLE — There comes a time in every frazzled parent's life when he or she hears themself saying things that in the heat of battle sound, if not mentally deranged, then at least unlike anything they might say when adult company comes over.

The New York Times

"If that's how they define the crime, we may as well all stay at home," he said, adding that Ms. Liu was just using a "citizens' right to express themself".

The New York Times

Macijevski had been going to testify in a case in which a child ran away from home and killed themself.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

What is this business with having to use a form of transport that screams: "Look at me!" Remember in the 1980s when your main course in up-themself restaurants used to include a pointless, horrid little slice of kiwi fruit?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "themself" when referring to a single person whose gender is unknown or non-binary to promote inclusivity and avoid gender assumptions.

Common error

Avoid using "themselfs" as the plural form. The correct plural form is "themselves". "Themself" is singular, while "themselves" is plural.

Linguistic Context

The word "themself" functions primarily as a singular, gender-neutral reflexive pronoun. It refers back to a previously named noun or pronoun within the sentence, indicating that the subject is also the object of the action. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating this reflexive usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "themself" serves as a singular, gender-neutral reflexive pronoun. Although its usage was once contentious, Ludwig AI validates its growing acceptance through numerous real-world examples, demonstrating its increasing prevalence in various contemporary contexts, including news media, science, and business communication. While some formal settings might still favor traditional pronouns like "himself" or "herself" for clarity, "themself" effectively promotes inclusivity when gender is unknown or non-binary. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and evolving register, writers can confidently use "themself" in appropriate situations to enhance clarity and promote gender inclusivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

themselves

Standard plural reflexive pronoun; can often replace "themself" when referring to a group.

himself or herself

Explicitly gendered reflexive pronouns, useful when clarity is needed regarding the subject's gender.

by themselves

Emphasizes acting alone without assistance, similar to reflexive use but with added emphasis.

on their own

Similar to 'by themselves', indicating independence or lack of help.

individually

Focuses on each person acting separately, replacing the need for a reflexive pronoun.

personally

Highlights the individual's direct involvement, substituting the reflexive action.

alone

Emphasizes being solitary, which can imply reflexive actions are self-directed.

without assistance

Highlights the lack of external aid, implying self-reliance in actions.

acting independently

Replaces the reflexive pronoun with an adverbial phrase that emphasizes self-directed action.

self-sufficiently

Focuses on the capacity to meet one's own needs, implying reflexive actions.

FAQs

How do I use "themself" in a sentence?

"Themself" is used as a singular reflexive pronoun when referring to a person of unspecified gender. For example: "Each participant should ask themself what they can contribute."

Is "themself" grammatically correct?

While not universally accepted, "themself" is increasingly used and considered acceptable as a singular, gender-neutral reflexive pronoun. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples from reliable sources.

What are some alternatives to using "themself"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "themselves" (if referring to a group), "himself or herself" (if specifying gender), or rephrasing the sentence to avoid the need for a reflexive pronoun altogether.

When should I avoid using "themself"?

Avoid using "themself" in formal contexts where strict adherence to traditional grammar is expected, or if you know the person's gender and prefer to use "himself" or "herself" for clarity. However, in many modern contexts, it's perfectly acceptable.