Hey guys, let's dive into a little grammar mystery that trips a lot of us up: is it himself or hisself? It's one of those questions that pops up when you're writing an email, a text, or even just thinking to yourself, "Wait, what's the right way to say that?" We've all been there, staring at the screen, second-guessing our own words. Well, buckle up, because we're going to clear this up once and for all and make sure you're using the correct term with confidence. The short and sweet answer, my friends, is that himself is the only grammatically correct word. You're not going crazy; it's just that hisself is a common colloquialism, meaning it's used in everyday speech, but it doesn't hold up in formal writing or when you're aiming for precise language. Think of it like this: grammar has its own set of rules, and while slang and regional dialects can be super interesting and vibrant, they often don't make the cut when we need to be understood clearly and correctly. So, when in doubt, always go with himself. We'll break down why this is the case, look at how himself is used correctly, and even touch on why hisself became a thing in the first place. By the end of this, you'll be a himself expert, ready to tackle any sentence with grammatical swagger. Let's get this grammar party started!

Understanding Reflexive Pronouns: The Core of the Matter

So, why is himself the undisputed champ and hisself a no-go? It all comes down to something called reflexive pronouns. Guys, these are super important because they help us make our sentences clearer and avoid confusion. A reflexive pronoun is used when the subject of a sentence and the object of that sentence are the same person or thing. It basically reflects the action back to the subject. For example, in the sentence, "He hurt himself," the subject is "He," and the action is "hurt." Since "He" is the one doing the hurting and also the one getting hurt, we use himself to show that the action is directed back to the subject. Other reflexive pronouns include myself, yourself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. They all follow a pretty consistent pattern. Now, hisself is an nonstandard form that has emerged over time. It's often born out of how people speak, and sometimes, it just sounds right to the ear, especially in certain dialects. However, in the world of formal English, standard grammar rules prevail, and hisself just doesn't fit the established structure. The creation of nonstandard forms like hisself isn't unique to English; it happens in many languages as people adapt and evolve their speech. But when we're talking about proper grammar for writing, tests, or professional communication, sticking to the standard forms is key. So, remember, the subject is doing the action, and the action is bouncing back to that same subject? That's when you need a reflexive pronoun, and for "he," that pronoun is always, without exception, himself. It’s all about reflecting that action properly. We’re not just making up words; we’re using the tools that have been established to communicate effectively and accurately.

The Correct Usage of "Himself"

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of using himself correctly. Since himself is the only accepted standard form, knowing when and how to deploy it is crucial. We use himself primarily in two situations: as a reflexive pronoun and as an intensive pronoun. Remember our chat about reflexive pronouns? That's where the subject and object are the same. "John accidentally cut himself while shaving." Here, John is the subject, and he's the one doing the cutting and the one getting cut. The action reflects back to him. Another example: "The dog wagged itself into a frenzy." See? The dog (subject) is doing the wagging, and itself (the reflexive pronoun for a dog) shows the action is directed back. Now, for the intensive pronoun part. This is when you use himself (or other reflexive pronouns) for emphasis, not to reflect an action. The sentence would still make sense grammatically without the intensive pronoun. Think of it like this: you're adding extra punch to your statement. For instance, "The president himself signed the bill." The emphasis here is on the president, suggesting it was a significant act that he personally did. If you removed himself, the sentence "The president signed the bill" is still grammatically correct, but it loses that emphatic force. The intensive pronoun is often placed immediately after the noun or pronoun it's emphasizing, or at the end of the sentence. So, "She baked the cake herself" emphasizes that she did it, not someone else. The key takeaway, guys, is that himself is the correct, standard English word to use in both these scenarios. It's versatile, it's clear, and it's what you should be reaching for every time you need to refer back to "he" or emphasize something related to him. Mastering himself ensures your writing is precise and professional, avoiding the pitfalls of nonstandard forms. It's all about clarity and impact.

Why "Hisself" Isn't Standard English

Now, let's talk about hisself. Why does this word even exist, and why is it a no-no in formal English? You've probably heard it, maybe even used it yourself without realizing it, because it's quite common in spoken language, particularly in certain regional dialects and informal settings. The emergence of words like hisself is a fascinating linguistic phenomenon. Often, these nonstandard forms arise from a combination of factors. One reason can be ease of pronunciation. Sometimes, adding an extra syllable or altering a sound can make a word flow more naturally for speakers of a particular dialect. Another factor is analogy. Speakers might create new forms by applying existing patterns. For instance, if other reflexive pronouns end in a certain sound or structure, a speaker might unconsciously apply that pattern to "himself." However, despite its prevalence in speech, hisself is not recognized by standard English grammar. Dictionaries and style guides consistently list himself as the correct form. Using hisself in formal writing, academic papers, professional emails, or any context where clear, standard communication is expected can make your writing appear uneducated or careless. It signals a lack of familiarity with grammatical conventions. Think of it as the difference between wearing a perfectly tailored suit to a black-tie event versus wearing something more casual. Both might be functional, but only one is appropriate for the occasion. The English language has a standard form for a reason – it provides a consistent way for everyone to communicate effectively across different regions and social groups. While language is always evolving, and regional variations are a part of its richness, when you're aiming for clarity and correctness, especially in written form, adhering to the standard is the safest and most effective bet. So, while hisself might sound familiar and even comfortable in casual conversation, remember that himself is the proper term to use in writing and formal speech. It's about respecting the established rules of the language.

Putting It All Together: Practice Makes Perfect

Alright guys, we've covered the why and the how of himself versus hisself. We know that himself is the correct, standard English word, used both reflexively and intensively. We also understand that hisself, while common in speech, is nonstandard and should be avoided in formal contexts. Now, the best way to really nail this down is through practice. Let's try a few sentences, and you can mentally fill in the blank, or even better, write them down. See if you can spot the correct usage.

1. "He poured ______ a cup of coffee."
2. "The king ______ bestowed the honor."
3. "She looked at ______ in the mirror."
4. "They helped ______ to the buffet."
5. "The CEO ______ addressed the employees."

Let's break these down. In sentence 1, "He poured himself a cup of coffee." The action of pouring is directed back to him. In sentence 2, "The king himself bestowed the honor." This is intensive; it emphasizes that the king, personally, did it. Sentence 3, "She looked at herself in the mirror." This is reflexive; the action reflects back to "she." Sentence 4, "They helped themselves to the buffet." Another reflexive example, showing the action of helping is directed back to "they." Finally, in sentence 5, "The CEO himself addressed the employees." Again, intensive, highlighting the CEO's personal involvement. Notice how himself (and other correct reflexive pronouns like herself, themselves) fits perfectly and makes the sentence clear and grammatically sound. If you were tempted to use hisself in any of these, take a moment to recall why himself is the standard. It’s all about those reflexive and intensive functions. The more you consciously think about when to use himself, the more natural it will become. Don't be afraid to reread sentences you've written and check for the correct reflexive pronoun. Over time, this practice will engrain the correct usage, making your writing polished and professional. You've got this!

Conclusion: Stick with "Himself"!

So, there you have it, folks! The definitive answer to the age-old question: is it himself or hisself? Drumroll, please... it's always himself! We’ve dissected the mechanics of reflexive pronouns, understood the crucial difference between standard and nonstandard English, and even practiced using himself in various contexts. Remember, language is a powerful tool, and using it correctly allows us to communicate with clarity, precision, and confidence. While hisself might persist in casual conversation, for any written or formal communication, himself is the way to go. It’s the grammatically sound, universally accepted form. By sticking to himself, you’re ensuring your message is understood exactly as intended, without any ambiguity or unintended informality. Keep practicing, keep writing, and keep shining with your impeccable grammar! Now go forth and use himself like the pro you are!