When writing in English, many people get confused between its self and itself. Its Self vs Itself: is a key rule that can save writers, students, and even seasoned professionals from making small but important mistakes. I’ve seen learners pause and second-guess themselves while deciding which form to use. In my experience, understanding the difference early prevents confusion later. Its self sometimes appears in older, poetic, or philosophical texts, but in modern English, itself is almost always the correct form. For instance, if a cat cleaned itself, writing its self would seem awkward and nonstandard. Even minor errors like these can affect clarity, change meaning, and make a guide or article look unprofessional, so it’s worth focusing on proper usage from the start.
I advise learners to pay close attention to context and usage. Itself is a reflexive pronoun that always refers back to the subject of the sentence, while its self often shows up as a rare grammatical structure, mostly in online texts or literary examples. Following the rules of syntax, semantics, and reflexivity strengthens your writing and ensures that your language is precise, polished, and professional. Mistakes in term, form, or expression can confuse readers, so checking each choice carefully is crucial. Don’t rely solely on spellcheckers, as they won’t notice a split its self versus itself, and even experienced writers can stumble if they ignore contrast, meaning, or context.
When editing or proofreading, make sure your sentences carry the right meaning. Comparing and refining your writing improves clarity and strengthens the overall style. Even a single misuse of its self can distract a reader or change the message, so always aim for accurate, proper, and standard form. By being thorough and attentive, your guide, article, or story will communicate effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and demonstrate mastery of English. This careful approach not only helps learners and professionals avoid mistakes but also builds confidence in using itself correctly every time.
Why This Small Difference Matters in Real English
Grammar mistakes rarely happen because people don’t know English. They happen because English looks logical but behaves historically. The confusion between its self and itself comes from that exact problem.
A single space can:
- Change a reflexive pronoun into a possessive phrase
- Turn a correct sentence into a grammatical error
- Affect credibility in academic, business, and professional writing
In modern standard English, one form is almost always correct, and the other is usually wrong. Understanding why removes doubt forever.
Reflexive Pronouns Explained Simply
Before focusing on itself, you must understand reflexive pronouns, because that is where the rule comes from.
What reflexive pronouns do
A reflexive pronoun is used when:
- The subject and object are the same
- The action of the verb returns to the subject
Example:
The machine shut itself down.
Here, the machine is both doing the action and receiving it.
Complete list of English reflexive pronouns
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun |
| I | myself |
| you | yourself |
| he | himself |
| she | herself |
| it | itself |
| we | ourselves |
| they | themselves |
Key fact:
Reflexive pronouns are single words, not phrases.
This is where most confusion begins.
What “Itself” Really Means (The Standard Form)
Definition
Itself is the reflexive (and sometimes emphatic) form of it.
It is a single word and a fixed grammatical unit.
Correct grammatical roles
“Itself” can function in two ways:
Reflexive use
The subject performs an action on itself.
Examples:
- The system updated itself automatically.
- The door locked itself after closing.
Emphatic use
Used for emphasis, not as an object.
Examples:
- The device itself is not faulty.
- The rule itself is simple.
In both cases, itself remains one word.
Why English treats “itself” as fixed
English reflexive pronouns:
- Developed as single lexical units
- Are not formed freely like normal noun phrases
- Follow historical standardization, not modern logic
That’s why “it self” never became standard in everyday English.
Does “Its Self” Ever Exist? Rare but Explainable
This is where confusion deepens.
Why “its self” is usually wrong
In normal English writing:
- “Its” = possessive adjective
- “Self” = noun
Putting them together creates a possessive noun phrase, not a pronoun.
That means this structure:
its + self
…does not function as a reflexive pronoun.
When “its self” may appear legitimately
There are very limited contexts where “its self” is technically possible.
Philosophical or psychological writing
In abstract discussions of identity:
The organism struggles to define its self in relation to others.
Here:
- “self” = a philosophical concept
- “its” = possession
- This is not reflexive grammar
Important warning
This usage:
- Is not suitable for general writing
- Does not replace “itself”
- Should never be used in business, academic, or everyday English unless writing theory-heavy philosophy
Practical rule:
If you are not writing philosophy, do not use “its self.”
Clear Examples: Correct vs Incorrect Usage
Incorrect sentences (common mistakes)
- ❌ The company reinvented its self.
- ❌ The program updated its self.
- ❌ The device repaired its self.
Correct versions
- ✅ The company reinvented itself.
- ✅ The program updated itself.
- ✅ The device repaired itself.
Pattern to remember
If you can replace the phrase with “myself”, then “itself” is required.
Example test:
The system updated myself ❌
The system updated itself ✅
Its vs It’s vs Itself (One of the Most Confusing Trios in English)
These three forms look similar but serve completely different grammatical purposes.
Clear breakdown
| Form | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
| its | possessive adjective | belongs to it | The robot lost its power |
| it’s | contraction | it is / it has | It’s working now |
| itself | reflexive/emphatic pronoun | same subject/object | The robot fixed itself |
Memory trick
- If you can say “it is”, use it’s
- If something belongs to it, use its
- If the action comes back to the subject, use itself
How to Test Whether “Itself” Is Correct
When unsure, apply one of these reliable tests.
The reflexive test
Ask:
Is the subject acting on itself?
If yes → itself
The replacement test
Replace it with “myself” or “yourself”.
If it works → itself
The clarity test
If separating the words makes the sentence sound forced or unnatural, it’s wrong.
These tests work in 99% of real writing situations.
Modern English vs Philosophical Usage (Short Case Study)
Modern English standards
- Style guides (APA, Chicago, Oxford)
- Academic institutions
- Business communication
All treat itself as the correct form.
Philosophical language
- Uses “self” as a concept
- Allows possessive constructions
- Does not override modern grammar rules
Conclusion of the case study:
Modern writers should follow modern grammar, not philosophical exceptions.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using “it’s” when you mean “its”
This is the most frequent English grammar error worldwide.
Fix:
- Never use an apostrophe for possession with “it”
Writing “its self” instead of “itself”
This comes from misunderstanding reflexive pronouns.
Fix:
- Memorize reflexive pronouns as single words
Overusing reflexive pronouns
Incorrect:
The manager explained himself the process.
Correct:
The manager explained the process.
Confusing reflexive and emphatic use
If removing “itself” breaks the sentence, it’s reflexive.
If removing it still works, it’s emphatic.
Real-World Applications of “Itself”
Academic writing
Used to:
- Describe systems
- Explain processes
- Avoid repetition
Example:
The theory explains itself through observable patterns.
Everyday conversation
Often used naturally without thinking:
- “It fixed itself.”
- “The problem solved itself.”
Business and marketing
Common in:
- Automation
- AI
- Product descriptions
Example:
The software updates itself in real time.
Technology and engineering
Very frequent usage:
- Machines
- Systems
- Algorithms
Example:
The network optimized itself based on user behavior.
Language Fact: How “Itself” Evolved
Historically:
- Old English used compound forms
- Reflexive structures slowly standardized
- English simplified reflexive pronouns into fixed forms
That is why:
- myself, yourself, itself
…exist as single units, not phrases.
Common Misconceptions (Quick Clarifications)
- “Its self is informal” → ❌ false
- “Both forms are acceptable” → ❌ mostly false
- “Grammar tools accept it” → ❌ tools make mistakes
Authority comes from rules, not software suggestions.
Quick Grammar Reference Table
| Form | Correct | Use Case |
| itself | ✅ | reflexive or emphasis |
| its self | ❌ (mostly) | philosophical noun phrase only |
| its | ✅ | possession |
| it’s | ✅ | it is / it has |
Practical Writing Tips That Actually Help
- Memorize reflexive pronouns as fixed words
- Avoid spacing reflexive forms
- Run the replacement test when editing
- Trust grammar rules over intuition
“Good grammar is not about sounding smart. It’s about being understood.”
Final Rule to Remember
In real, modern English writing:
- Itself is correct
- Its self is almost always wrong
- Overthinking causes more errors than clarity
If you remember one thing, remember this:
When the subject acts on itself, use itself.
This single rule eliminates confusion permanently and ensures your writing remains clear, professional, and grammatically accurate.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between its self vs itself is essential for clear, professional, and precise English writing. Itself is the standard reflexive pronoun, while its self appears rarely in poetic or nonstandard contexts. Paying attention to context, usage, and proper form prevents confusion, strengthens clarity, and ensures your writing carries the intended meaning. By carefully checking each sentence, refining terms, and following grammar rules, you can write confidently and avoid common pitfalls that often trip up both learners and seasoned professionals.
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between its self vs itself?
Itself is a standard reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject of the sentence, while its self is a nonstandard or poetic form rarely used in modern English.
Q2. When should I use its self?
Its self may appear in literary, philosophical, or older texts, but in modern English writing, it’s best to avoid it and use itself.
Q3. Can using its self change the meaning of a sentence?
Yes, splitting the word can confuse readers or make your writing look unprofessional, affecting clarity and the intended meaning.
Q4. How can I remember which form to use?
Focus on whether the word refers back to the subject—if it does, use itself. Always check the context and sentence structure.
Q5. Do spellcheckers catch errors between its self vs itself?
No, spellcheckers usually don’t recognize the difference, so you must rely on understanding grammar rules and context.
