Formal vs Informal Usage of Themself and Themselves 🎯

“Themselves” is the standard plural reflexive pronoun, while “themself” is a newer singular form used mainly with singular “they.”

Many writers feel confused when choosing between themself or themselves because modern English is changing.

People want clear grammar rules, especially when writing emails, blog posts, or academic text. Some see “themself” online and wonder if it is correct or just a mistake.

Others want to respect gender neutral language while staying grammatically accurate. This guide removes confusion.

You will learn when to use each form, why both exist, and how to choose the best option for different audiences. The goal is simple: clear writing that feels natural and correct in everyday English.

Table of Contents

Themself or Themselves: Quick Answer

“Themselves” is the traditional and widely accepted reflexive pronoun used for plural subjects. It is also commonly used with singular “they.”

“Themself” is a singular reflexive form. It appears when “they” refers to one person, often in gender neutral contexts. Some style guides accept it, but it is less common.

Examples:

✅ The students prepared themselves for the exam.
✅ Someone should ask themselves this question.
✅ Each person should take care of themself. (less common but used in modern writing)

Simple rule:

Use themselves for plural subjects.
Use themself only when referring to one person using singular “they.”

Many writers still prefer “themselves” even for singular meaning because it sounds familiar.

The Origin of Themself or Themselves

English pronouns have changed many times. The reflexive ending “ self” or “ selves” developed from older forms that emphasized the subject.

“Themselves” has existed for centuries. It comes from “them” plus “self,” later becoming plural with “selves.” It was used to show that a group performed an action on their own.

“Themself” also appeared in older English texts. Some writers used it when “they” meant one person.

Over time, grammar teaching favored “themselves” instead. As a result, “themself” became rare for many years.

Modern language trends revived “themself.” Today, many people use singular “they” to avoid gendered pronouns. Because of this shift, some writers prefer “themself” as a logical singular reflexive.

Reasons for variation:

Language evolves naturally.
Social changes influence pronoun use.
Writers aim for inclusive language.
Grammar rules adapt slowly over time.

So, the difference exists because English balances tradition with modern usage.

British English vs American English Spelling

Both British and American English recognize “themselves.” It is standard in both regions. “Themself” appears in both as well, but acceptance levels vary depending on style guides and audience expectations.

American English often adopts new forms faster, especially in academic and social contexts. British English tends to follow traditional grammar rules more closely, but modern publications still use singular “they.”

Key Differences

US writing may include “themself” in inclusive or modern contexts.
UK writing may prefer “themselves” even when singular.
Global writing often chooses clarity over strict tradition.

Comparison Table

Feature	Themself	Themselves
Number	Singular	Plural (and singular neutral)
Traditional acceptance	Less common	Fully standard
Modern inclusive usage	Increasing	Very common
Formal writing	Sometimes accepted	Widely accepted
Academic writing	Depends on style guide	Preferred by many

Examples:

US style example:
👉 Each participant should prepare themself.

UK style example:
👉 Each participant should prepare themselves.

Both sentences are understood clearly.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Choosing between themself or themselves depends on your audience.

For US readers

Many modern style guides accept singular “they.” Some also accept “themself,” especially in inclusive writing. Still, “themselves” remains safer if you want wide acceptance.

For UK or Commonwealth readers

Traditional forms remain strong. “Themselves” is usually preferred. It sounds natural and avoids debate.

For global audiences

Choose clarity first. Most readers recognize “themselves” instantly. It is often the safest choice in international writing.

Quick advice:

Writing for schools or formal documents → use themselves.
Writing about gender identity or personal preference → consider themself if appropriate.
Writing for a broad audience → choose the familiar option.

Common Mistakes with Themself or Themselves

Many learners mix these forms incorrectly. Here are common errors:

1. Using “themself” for plural subjects

❌ The players trained themself.
✅ The players trained themselves.

2. Avoiding singular “they”

Some writers try to force “himself or herself.” This can sound heavy.

❌ Each student should prepare himself or herself.
✅ Each student should prepare themselves.

3. Mixing singular and plural grammar

❌ Someone forgot their keys and blamed themselves incorrectly (unclear subject).
Better: clarify context.

4. Overusing new forms

Some writers replace every instance with “themself.” Balance is important.

5. Ignoring audience expectations

Professional documents often prefer traditional forms.

Themself or Themselves in Everyday Examples

Understanding real usage helps learning.

Emails

👉 If anyone has questions, they should contact the manager themselves.
👉 Each employee can introduce themself during the meeting.

News writing

News outlets often use singular “they.” Many choose “themselves” because it feels familiar.

Example:
👉 A person should protect themselves online.

Social media

Inclusive language is common. “Themself” appears more often.

Example:
👉 Everyone should express themself freely.

Formal writing

Many academic or business texts still use “themselves.”

Example:
👉 Participants identified themselves before the interview.

Themself or Themselves: Google Trends & Usage Data

Usage patterns change over time. Digital writing shows a rise in singular “they,” which influences reflexive pronouns.

General trends:

“Themselves” remains far more common globally.
“Themself” shows growth in online writing and discussions about identity.
Younger audiences use gender neutral forms more often.
Educational writing still favors traditional grammar.

Popularity by region (general observation):

Region	Themself Usage	Themselves Usage
United States	Growing acceptance	Very common
United Kingdom	Limited but present	Dominant
Canada	Increasing	Very common
Australia	Moderate	Very common
Global English	Rising awareness	Standard choice

Context also matters:

Academic text → prefers established forms.
Social platforms → more experimental language.
Inclusive communities → higher use of “themself.”

Comparison Table: Keyword Variations

Pronoun Form	Number	Typical Use	Example
Themself	Singular	Inclusive or modern usage	Someone should trust themself.
Themselves	Plural or singular neutral	Standard usage	People should trust themselves.
Himself/Herself	Singular gendered	Traditional gendered writing	Each person should trust himself/herself.

FAQs About Themself or Themselves

1. Is “themself” grammatically correct?

Yes. Many modern writers accept it, especially with singular “they.” However, it is less traditional than “themselves.”

2. Why do people still use “themselves” for one person?

It has a long history and feels natural to many readers. It avoids confusion.

3. Which form is safer in formal writing?

“Themselves” is safer because it has wider acceptance.

4. Can I use “themself” in academic essays?

Check your style guide. Some accept it, but many prefer traditional forms.

5. Does singular “they” always require “themself”?

No. Many writers use “themselves” with singular meaning.

6. Is one form more modern?

“Themself” feels more modern because of inclusive language trends.

7. Will readers understand both forms?

Yes. Most readers understand both, but familiarity differs.

Conclusion

Choosing between themself or themselves can feel difficult at first. The key idea is simple. “Themselves” is the traditional and widely accepted reflexive pronoun. It works for plural subjects and often for singular meaning as well.

“Themself” is a newer option used when “they” refers to one person. It appears more often in inclusive writing and modern digital communication.

Language changes slowly. Some readers welcome new forms, while others prefer familiar grammar. Think about your audience before deciding.

If you want safe, clear writing for a wide readership, “themselves” is usually the best choice.

If your context supports gender neutral or personal identity language, “themself” may fit better.

Practice by reading real examples. Notice how professional writers choose their pronouns. Over time, the difference will feel natural. The goal is clarity, respect, and smooth communication.

Strong writing comes from understanding your readers and selecting words that make meaning easy to follow.

When you know why both forms exist, you can choose with confidence and write naturally in any context.