Have you ever wondered whether you should write its self or itself? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common grammar questions among English learners, students, and even experienced writers. At first glance, both versions may seem correct because they contain the same words. However, only one is correct in standard English in almost every situation.
Using the wrong form can make your writing appear less professional and may even cost marks in school exams or language proficiency tests. Whether you’re writing an email, an essay, a report, or simply posting on social media, knowing the difference helps you communicate clearly and confidently.
The good news is that the rule is simple once you understand it. In this guide, you’ll learn the meaning of itself, why its self is almost always incorrect, how to use the word correctly, and plenty of easy examples to help you remember the rule for good.
What Does “Itself” Mean?
Itself is a reflexive pronoun. It refers back to a thing, object, animal, idea, or situation that has already been mentioned in the sentence.
In other words, itself means “the same thing” or “on its own.”
Examples
- The cat cleaned itself after eating.
- The machine turned itself off.
- The company reinvented itself.
- The flower opened itself in the morning.
- The door locked itself automatically.
In each sentence, itself refers back to the subject.
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun | Example |
| I | myself | I introduced myself. |
| You | yourself | You should trust yourself. |
| He | himself | He blamed himself. |
| She | herself | She taught herself. |
| We | ourselves | We prepared ourselves. |
| They | themselves | They congratulated themselves. |
| It | itself | The computer restarted itself. |
As you can see, itself follows the same pattern as all other reflexive pronouns.
Is “Its Self” Ever Correct?
In modern English, its self written as two separate words is almost always incorrect.
The correct spelling is:
- ✅ itself
The incorrect spelling is:
- ❌ its self
Why?
English combines the possessive adjective its with self to form the reflexive pronoun itself. Just like these words:
- myself
- yourself
- himself
- herself
- ourselves
- themselves
Itself is also written as one word.
Quick Comparison
| Correct | Incorrect |
| The robot repaired itself. | The robot repaired its self. |
| The app updated itself. | The app updated its self. |
| The dog scratched itself. | The dog scratched its self. |
| The door closed itself. | The door closed its self. |
If you’re unsure while writing, remember this simple tip:
Every reflexive pronoun in English is one word.
That means:
- myself ✅
- yourself ✅
- herself ✅
- himself ✅
- itself ✅
Never split them into two words.
Why Do People Confuse “Its Self” and “Itself”?
There are several reasons why learners often make this mistake.
1. The Words Look Separate
People naturally see its and self as individual words and assume they should remain separate.
However, English treats itself as one complete pronoun.
2. Confusion with “Its”
Many learners already struggle with:
- its
- it’s
Adding self makes the confusion even greater.
Remember:
- its = possessive
- it’s = it is or it has
- itself = reflexive pronoun
These three words have completely different jobs.
3. Influence from Other Languages
Some languages create reflexive forms differently, often using two separate words. Learners may transfer that rule into English.
4. Typing Errors
Sometimes writers accidentally insert a space while typing.
Grammar checkers usually flag this mistake because its self is not accepted in standard English.
Grammar Rule: When Should You Use “Itself”?
The word itself has several grammatical functions.
Understanding each one makes it easy to use correctly.
1. Reflexive Use
The subject performs an action on itself.
Examples:
- The bird hurt itself.
- The printer restarted itself.
- The child entertained itself with toys.
- The puppy cleaned itself.
- The software installed itself.
Here, the action comes back to the subject.
2. Emphatic Use
Sometimes itself simply adds emphasis.
Examples:
- The president himself attended the meeting.
- The building itself is impressive.
- The problem itself isn’t difficult.
- The book itself is fascinating.
- The design itself is beautiful.
In these examples, itself emphasizes the noun rather than acting as the object.
3. Meaning “Without Help”
Sometimes itself means something happened automatically or independently.
Examples:
- The light switched itself on.
- The gate opened itself.
- The software updated itself overnight.
- The screen unlocked itself.
- The toy moved itself.
This use is especially common when talking about technology and machines.
“Its,” “It’s,” and “Itself”: What’s the Difference?
These three words are frequently confused, but they serve very different purposes.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
| its | Possessive adjective | Belonging to it | The dog wagged its tail. |
| it’s | Contraction | It is or it has | It’s raining outside. |
| itself | Reflexive pronoun | Refers back to it | The dog cleaned itself. |
Examples in Context
Correct:
- The company changed its policy.
- It’s important to proofread.
- The company reinvented itself.
Incorrect:
- ❌ Its raining.
- ❌ The dog wagged it’s tail.
- ❌ The robot repaired its self.
Understanding these differences prevents several common grammar mistakes at once.
Correct Usage with Everyday Sentence Examples
One of the best ways to remember grammar is through real-life examples.
Animals
- The cat washed itself.
- The horse injured itself while running.
- The rabbit hid itself.
- The bird protected itself from predators.
- The dog scratched itself.
Technology
- The phone restarted itself.
- The computer updated itself.
- The camera adjusted itself automatically.
- The printer reset itself.
- The robot balanced itself.
Nature
- The flower closed itself at sunset.
- The tree protected itself with thick bark.
- The seed planted itself naturally.
- The vine wrapped itself around the fence.
- The river carved itself through the valley.
Business
- The company transformed itself.
- The brand reinvented itself.
- The business established itself quickly.
- The organization positioned itself as a market leader.
- The startup proved itself successful.
Daily Life
- The door shut itself.
- The window opened itself.
- The alarm turned itself off.
- The toy fixed itself.
- The clock reset itself.
Notice that itself always refers back to the thing already mentioned.
Easy Tricks to Remember the Correct Form
You don’t need to memorize dozens of grammar rules. These simple memory tricks can help you choose the correct spelling every time.
Trick 1: Think of Other Reflexive Pronouns
Ask yourself:
- Would you write my self?
- Would you write your self?
- Would you write him self?
Of course not.
Since all reflexive pronouns are written as one word, itself follows the same rule.
Trick 2: Replace It with Another Pronoun
If himself or herself fits naturally, then itself is also one word.
For example:
- The dog cleaned itself.
- He cleaned himself.
- She cleaned herself.
The pattern remains consistent.
Trick 3: Look for an Action Returning to the Subject
If the subject and the object are the same thing, a reflexive pronoun is needed.
Examples:
- The robot repaired itself.
- The cat washed itself.
- The company reinvented itself.
This is a strong clue that itself is the correct choice.
Trick 4: Never Separate “Self” from Reflexive Pronouns
Keep this simple rule in mind:
- myself ✅
- yourself ✅
- himself ✅
- herself ✅
- ourselves ✅
- themselves ✅
- itself ✅
If you remember this pattern, you’ll never be tempted to write its self.
Common Mistakes with “Itself” and How to Avoid Them
Even when learners understand the rule, mistakes still happen in real writing. This section will help you recognize the most frequent errors and fix them quickly.
Mistake 1: Writing “its self” as two words
This is the most common error.
❌ Incorrect:
- The machine repaired its self.
- The cat cleaned its self.
- The system updated its self.
✅ Correct:
- The machine repaired itself.
- The cat cleaned itself.
- The system updated itself.
👉 Why it happens: Learners wrongly assume “its” and “self” should stay separate.
Mistake 2: Confusing “its” and “itself”
Many learners mix possessive and reflexive forms.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The dog wagged itself tail. | The dog wagged its tail. |
| The company improved its self. | The company improved itself. |
| The phone fixed its self. | The phone fixed itself. |
👉 Remember:
- its = belonging
- itself = doing something to itself
Mistake 3: Using “itself” when no reflexive action exists
Sometimes learners use “itself” unnecessarily.
❌ Incorrect:
- The book itself is on the table. (if no emphasis needed)
✅ Better:
- The book is on the table.
👉 Use “itself” only when:
- the subject acts on itself, OR
- you want emphasis
Mistake 4: Overusing “itself” in formal writing
In academic or professional writing, overusing reflexive pronouns can make sentences heavy.
❌ Overuse:
- The company itself itself redesigned itself completely.
✅ Improved:
- The company redesigned itself completely.
👉 Tip: Use “itself” only once per idea unless emphasis is needed.
Comparison Table: Correct vs Incorrect Usage
| Sentence Type | Correct Example | Incorrect Example |
| Reflexive action | The cat cleaned itself. | The cat cleaned its self. |
| Automatic action | The door locked itself. | The door locked its self. |
| Emphasis | The problem itself is serious. | The problem its self is serious. |
| Business context | The brand reinvented itself. | The brand reinvented its self. |
| Technology | The app updated itself. | The app updated its self. |
Sentence Examples for Better Understanding
To master grammar, seeing real usage is essential. Here are more natural examples across different contexts.
Everyday Life
- The mirror cleaned itself using steam technology.
- The alarm turned itself off after ten minutes.
- The child dressed itself without help.
- The fan switched itself on during heat.
- The phone unlocked itself using facial recognition.
Education & Exams
- The concept itself is easy to understand.
- The theory explains itself through examples.
- The answer revealed itself in the last paragraph.
- The question itself was confusing.
- The topic explains itself clearly.
Workplace & Professional Use
- The company positioned itself as a leader in the market.
- The report itself highlights key issues.
- The software tested itself before release.
- The system monitors itself continuously.
- The brand established itself globally.
Science & Technology
- The algorithm optimized itself automatically.
- The machine calibrated itself before operation.
- The satellite adjusted itself in orbit.
- The device powered itself using solar energy.
- The robot balanced itself on uneven ground.
British vs American English: Is There a Difference?
Good news: there is no difference between British and American English for itself.
Both use:
- itself ✅
- its self ❌ (incorrect in both varieties)
Comparison Table
| Usage | British English | American English |
| Reflexive pronoun | itself | itself |
| Incorrect form | its self | its self |
| Meaning | same | same |
👉 So you don’t need to worry about regional differences for this word.
Pronunciation Guide
The pronunciation of itself is simple:
👉 /ɪtˈself/
Break it down:
- “it” → short sound
- “self” → clear “self” sound
Spoken Examples
- The machine fixed itself.
- The problem solved itself.
- The idea expressed itself clearly.
👉 In natural speech, “itself” is often stressed for emphasis.
Quick Grammar Rules to Remember
Here are the golden rules you should always keep in mind:
Rule 1: Reflexive pronouns are always one word
- myself
- yourself
- himself
- herself
- itself
- ourselves
- themselves
Rule 2: “Itself” refers back to a singular neutral subject
- The dog → itself
- The machine → itself
- The company → itself
Rule 3: Do not split “its self”
- ❌ its self
- ✅ itself
Rule 4: Use “itself” only when needed
- reflexive action
- emphasis
- automatic action
FAQs
1. Is “its self” ever correct in English?
No. In modern standard English, “its self” is incorrect. The correct form is always “itself.”
2. Why is “itself” written as one word?
Because all reflexive pronouns in English are written as single words:
- myself
- yourself
- himself
- herself
- itself
3. What is the difference between “its” and “itself”?
- its = possession (The dog wagged its tail)
- itself = reflexive action (The dog cleaned itself)
4. Can I use “itself” for emphasis?
Yes. Example:
- The building itself is very old.
- The issue itself is simple.
5. Is “itself” formal or informal?
It is neutral and used in both formal and informal English.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between its self and itself is simple once you remember one key rule:
👉 “Itself” is always one word in standard English.
You should never write “its self” in correct grammar. Instead, use “itself” whenever a subject refers back to itself, performs an action automatically, or is used for emphasis.
By practicing with real-life examples—like machines, animals, people, and everyday situations—you can quickly build confidence and avoid this common mistake forever.
If you remember just one thing from this guide, let it be this:
