Himself in a Sentence: 25 Examples for Better English

Using himself in a sentence helps us understand the proper use of reflexive pronouns, which can help us speak more accurately. Reflexive pronouns are essential in English grammar as they reflect the action of the verb back onto the subject. In this article, we will explore the correct use of himself in a sentence, provide various examples, and explain common mistakes to avoid.

Note: This article uses the pronoun “himself” purely for grammatical practice and English language learning purposes. It is not intended to imply anything beyond its use in sentence structure and language understanding.

Himself in a Sentence

A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of the sentence. Himself is a reflexive pronoun used when the subject is a male person or entity and refers back to him. It is important to understand how to use himself in a sentence correctly to avoid common grammatical errors.

For example:

1. John looked at himself in the mirror.
2. He blamed himself for the mistake.

In both examples, himself refers back to the subject (John and He), making the action reflect back onto the subject. Reflexive pronouns like himself are often used when the subject and object of the action are the same.

Related: 45 Sentences with Another: Better English Speaking

Common Mistakes When Using Himself in a Sentence

While himself in a sentence is quite common, learners often make mistakes by misusing reflexive pronouns. Here are some examples of incorrect usage:

1. Incorrect: She looked at himself in the mirror.
   Correct: She looked at herself in the mirror. Reflexive pronouns must agree with the gender of the subject. In this case, “himself” should be replaced with “herself” because the subject is female.
2. Incorrect: He did it by himself and I did it by myself.
   Correct: He did it by himself, and I did it by myself. Both “himself” and “myself” are used correctly in these sentences, but it’s important to remember that reflexive pronouns should be used based on the subject’s gender and person.

By practicing himself in a sentence, you can learn how to avoid these mistakes and improve your grammar.

Related: Sentences with Myself: 30 Examples For Better English

Correct Usage of Himself in a Sentence

Reflexive pronouns like himself are used when the subject performs an action on itself. It helps show that the subject and the object are the same. Below are examples of how to correctly use himself in a sentence:

3. He hurt himself while playing football.
4. Tom taught himself how to play the guitar.
5. He was proud of himself after completing the marathon.
6. John prepared himself for the interview.
7. He gave himself a break after working hard all day.
8. Mark cleaned himself up after the messy project.
9. He made the decision himself without consulting anyone.
10. David saw himself as a successful entrepreneur.

Each of these sentences correctly uses himself to indicate that the subject of the sentence (he) is also the object of the action. This is the proper use of reflexive pronouns in English.

Emphasizing Actions with Himself in a Sentence

In some cases, himself in a sentence can be used for emphasis. When a reflexive pronoun is used in this way, it shows that the subject did something alone or without help. Here are a few examples of emphasis:

11. He built the house himself.
12. He solved the problem himself without anyone’s help.
13. He completed the task himself, proving his independence.
14. He handled the entire situation himself.
15. He cleaned the entire house himself.

These sentences show that the subject (he) did the action alone. The use of himself here adds emphasis to the sentence, stressing the subject’s effort and independence.

When Not to Use Himself in a Sentence

It’s important to remember that reflexive pronouns like himself should only be used when the subject and object are the same. Below are some examples where himself should not be used:

1. Incorrect: She gave the book to himself.
   Correct: She gave the book to him. Reflexive pronouns are not used as the object of a verb when the subject and object are not the same.
2. Incorrect: He talked to himself yesterday.
   Correct: He talked to him yesterday. When the subject and object are different, reflexive pronouns should not be used. In this case, “him” is the correct object pronoun.

By knowing when not to use himself in a sentence, you can avoid these common mistakes and ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct.

Additional Examples of Himself in a Sentence

Here are more examples of how to use himself in a sentence correctly:

16. He found himself in a difficult situation.
17. He congratulated himself for his achievements.
18. He spent the weekend alone, reflecting on himself.
19. He asked himself why he didn’t speak up sooner.
20. He promised himself to stay focused on his goals.

These examples show how himself is used to refer back to the subject, indicating that the subject is the one performing the action upon himself.

Sentences with Himself

Here are additional examples showing himself in a sentence in everyday situations:

21. He introduced himself to the group.
22. He gave himself a second chance after failing.
23. He congratulated himself for winning the competition.
24. He looked after himself when he was sick.
25. He always takes care of himself after a tough day at work.

These sentences highlight common uses of reflexive pronouns in daily life, showing how himself can be used for both routine actions and self-reflection.

Conclusion: Perfecting the Use of Himself in a Sentence

By practicing himself in a sentence, you can gain a better understanding of how reflexive pronouns work in English. Reflexive pronouns like himself are used when the subject and object of the action are the same, and they are essential in expressing actions that reflect back on the subject.

Keep practicing these structures, and remember that emphasis can also be added by using reflexive pronouns like himself. With consistent use, you’ll soon find that himself in a sentence becomes second nature in both your speaking and writing.