Themself or Theirself : The Correct Usage Guide⚡(2026)

I remember writing a sentence once: “Each student should prepare theirself for the exam.” I paused. Something didn’t sound right. I had also seen “themself” used online, especially in modern writing. So which one was correct?

If you’ve ever felt confused about “themself or theirself,” you’re not alone. Many people search this because English pronouns can be tricky especially when talking about a single person in a gender neutral way. With the rise of singular they, new forms like themself are becoming more common, while older forms like theirself still appear in speech.

This confusion is not just about spelling. It’s about grammar, usage, and modern language changes. Some forms are accepted in formal writing, while others are considered informal or incorrect.

In this guide, I’ll explain everything in a simple way. You’ll learn which form is correct, when to use it, and how to avoid mistakes. By the end, you’ll feel confident using the right word every time.

✅ Themself or Theirself – Quick Answer

Themself → ✅ Acceptable (used with singular they)
Theirself → ❌ Nonstandard / incorrect in formal English

👉 Examples:

Someone should take care of themself. ✅
Each person must protect themself. ✅

❌ Each person must protect theirself. (Incorrect)

✔️ Key rule:
Use themself (or more commonly themselves) avoid theirself

📜 The Origin of Themself or Theirself

Both words come from reflexive pronouns:

them + self → themself
their + self → theirself

In older English, people tried different forms. Over time:

Themselves became the standard plural form
Themself started being used for singular they
Theirself remained informal and never became standard

👉 Today:

Themself → modern, sometimes accepted
Theirself → nonstandard, often avoided

🌍 British English vs American English Spelling

There is no major spelling difference by region, but usage varies slightly.

Form	British English	American English
themself	Used (less common)	Used (growing)
themselves	Preferred	Preferred
theirself	Nonstandard ❌	Nonstandard ❌

👉 Key point:

Both US and UK prefer themselves
Themself is accepted in some contexts
Theirself is avoided everywhere

🎯 Which Spelling Should You Use?

It depends on context:

🇺🇸 US audience → Use themselves (safe choice)
🇬🇧 UK audience → Use themselves
🌎 Global writing → Use themselves

👉 When to use themself:

For singular they (modern, gender-neutral writing)

✔️ Best advice:

Use themselves in formal writing
Use themself only when needed
Avoid theirself

❌ Common Mistakes with Themself or Theirself

Here are frequent errors:

Wrong Usage	Correct Version
theirself	themselves / themself
hisself / theirself mix	themselves
themself (wrong context)	themselves
theirselves	themselves

👉 Tip:
When unsure → use themselves

💬 Themself or Theirself in Everyday Examples

📧 Emails

“Each employee should update the file themselves.”

📰 News

“A person should protect themself in emergencies.”

📱 Social Media

“Sometimes you just need to focus on yourself… or themself 😅”

📄 Formal Writing

“Each participant must register themselves.”

📊 Themself or Theirself – Google Trends & Usage Data

Themselves → Very high usage (standard form)
Themself → Increasing usage (gender-neutral writing)
Theirself → Low usage (nonstandard)

📍 Insights:

“Themself” is growing due to inclusive language
“Theirself” appears mostly in informal speech

👉 SEO tip:

Use themself and themselves
Mention theirself only to explain mistakes

🔍 Keyword Comparison Table

Keyword Variation	Status	Usage Frequency
themselves	Correct	Very High
themself	Acceptable	Medium
theirself	Incorrect	Low
theirselves	Incorrect	Very Low

FAQs❓

1. Is “theirself” correct?

No, it is nonstandard and should be avoided.

2. Is “themself” correct?

Yes, but mainly in modern singular they usage.

3. Which is more common?

“Themselves” is far more common.

4. Can I use themself in formal writing?

Yes, but only in specific contexts.

5. Why do people say theirself?

It comes from informal speech patterns.

6. What is the safest option?

Use themselves.

7. Is this a US vs UK issue?

No, both follow the same rule.

Conclusion

Between themself or theirself, the correct choice is clear. Theirself is not accepted in standard English and should be avoided in both formal and professional writing. Themself, on the other hand, is a modern form that is sometimes used with singular they, especially in inclusive and gender-neutral contexts.

However, the safest and most widely accepted option is still themselves. It works in almost every situation and is understood by all readers.

👉 Use themselves for general writing
👉 Use themself when referring to singular they
👉 Avoid theirself completely

English is always evolving, and forms like themself show how language adapts to modern needs. But clarity is still key. If you stick to the standard rules, your writing will stay clear, correct, and professional.

Now you know the difference. The next time you write this, you won’t hesitate you’ll choose the right form with confidence.

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James Joyce

I’m James Joyce, an author at GrammarGuides.com, where I make English grammar simple and clear. As a grammar expert, I help readers avoid mistakes and write confidently.