Use the word myself in a sentence

Sometimes, you might not remember when and how to use certain words in a sentence. For instance, some pronouns such as «Myself» are often used as other such words when they are emphasizing a certain scenario. At those awkward times, all you are thinking is the accurate use of the word «myself». So, How to Properly Use The Word «Myself» In A Sentence you may ask?

You need to remember that the word «myself» is an object-oriented pronoun that emphasizes the situation in a sentence. It doesn’t provide any meaning when used as a subject pronoun in a sentence. So, when using it in a sentence you will have to consider these facts to do so properly.

Now, we will help illustrate why it’s quite often that people misuse the word «myself» in a sentence and easy ways to avoid such a common mistake. While also providing an explanation of the appropriate understanding regarding the use of «myself» in various sentences.

Do Most People Really Misuse «Myself» In A Sentence?

Yes, as a matter of fact, most people misuse the pronoun «myself» when they are trying to combine another subject with it. For instance, «Tobi and myself will be there shortly!» Now, this sentence is grammatically wrong but sounds accurate. The reason is that if we remove «Tobi» as the subject, the sentence would sound like «myself will be there shortly!» which provides an incomprehensible meaning and thus will sound inaccurate.

Similarly, people often don’t know how to properly use the word «Myself» in a sentence when they are trying to use the pronoun as an object. If we take an example, «Kindly send the presentation to myself and Tobi», you will notice that this sentence also gives a bizarre and odd sense of meaning.

It is now clear that most people would inaccurately use the pronoun.

How To Prevent The Common Misuse Of «Myself»?

Preventing the misuse of this pronoun is quite easy yet a bit challenging. Just like many reflexive otherwise known as intensive pronouns, the pronoun «myself» needs to be used as an additional object to the already completed sentence. This can be best explained with an example.

For instance,» I will take the bus» gives a complete meaning to the sentence and won’t require or need any additional object or pronoun to deliver the meaning of the statement itself.

However, when we say,» I will take the bus myself» it further adds an emphasis or a type of intensiveness in the statement. Though the sentence fulfills the meaning without the need of the pronoun «myself» in the sentence yet its presence emphasized the originally stated situation without changing the overall meaning.

In addition to this, you may not realize how to use the word «myself» in a sentence that isn’t complete itself or doesn’t have an object. In such cases, the word «myself» won’t be used. For example, «Go away!» These types of sentences don’t allow the pronoun to adjust in the sentence accordingly.

Aren’t There Other Pronouns Such As «Myself»?

Other than «myself», there are other pronouns such as herself, itself, and himself, etc. These are commonly referred to as either reflexive or emphasizing pronouns. All of them have common similarities and common use when they are used in various sentences. These pronouns help reinforce the original meaning of the sentences while keeping the actual understanding of the statement secure.

The point to note is that common malpractice or inaccurate use of the word «myself» means that other such types of pronouns will also be used wrongly in various statements.

Keeping in view, you may notice that other such types of emphasizing pronouns do in fact act similarly as the word «myself». However, other such types of pronouns are rarely used by the people and those who use such words don’t misuse them in their sentences. So, it is also important to keep in mind that other types of pronouns are also used as objects in the sentences and they also place an intensive impact in a sentence.

Why Is It So That Only The Word «Myself» Is Used Incorrectly?

Even though they are other intensive pronouns except for «myself» but they are used very rarely in day to day sentences. In addition to this, in major cases, the sentence structuring or the overall meaning requires both names of the subjects to be used. For instance, «Drew and Angie are playing hide and seek». If this statement is a run-on, then there could be a possible instance for using such types of pronouns poorly. An example of this could be that «I and himself appreciate Angie’s company».

However, it is important to know how to properly use the word «myself» in a sentence because when it is used with another subject, it doesn’t sound incorrect upon use just like the examples mentioned given above. But when other pronouns are used in the sentences, then they sound and seem out of context or order that instantly highlights the grammatical error for other pronouns.

The placement and use of «myself» don’t make it appear as incorrect to everyone but those who are fully able to understand know that the sentence is grammatically incorrect because of the poor use of such a word.

Is The Word «Myself» Misused In Any Other Way In Sentences?

The pronoun «myself» is also misused in other ways in various sentences rather than just being misused in place of subject or first person. The incorrect use of «myself» in object form either as a direct or indirect is common without you ever knowing. For instance, «I ran myself to the music shop». In this instance, even though the statement is accurate but the verb «ran» is a prepositional verb that requires the use of a preposition i.e by, for etc. to complete the meaning.

So the sentence would state like «I ran by myself to the music shop». However, there is a sentence where the verb isn’t a prepositional verb and doesn’t require a preposition after it to complete the meaning. In those cases, «myself» can be used as a direct object in the sentence assuming that the sentence has «I» as a first-person subject. For example, «I injured myself drilling the wall».

The other mistake is when you don’t understand how to properly use the word «myself» in a sentence when it is to be used as an indirect object. The examples of indirect object use of «myself» are present above where the entire sentence is able to retain proper and adequate meaning without the need for the reflexive pronouns itself.

Golden Rules To Follow For Using «Myself»

At this point, you might ask yourself regarding some key points to keep in mind to clearly understand the use of «myself» and other such pronouns in your sentence. Here are some of the golden rules to remember how to properly use «myself» in a sentence:

• Always remember that «myself» can be used as an object as long as the speaker or the subject is present in the sentence. The subject in such a case must be first-person «I».

An example of this is «I cut myself while climbing the tree».

• Remember that if a sentence starts with third-person i.e he, she, or it, or second person i.e you as subject and is immediately followed by first-person «I», then the pronoun «myself» can’t be used in the entire sentence.

For example, «He and I went to the mall by ourselves». In case, the word «myself» is used then won’t uphold the meaning of the sentence.

• The pronoun «myself» can’t be used as a subject regardless of its use with other subjects. In order to check whether it makes sense, just remove the first subject other than «myself» from the statement to see if it sounds accurate.

An easy example of this is «She and myself like to enjoy the festivals». Once you remove the second person «She», the sentence will automatically show incorrectness and inaccurate use of the pronoun.

• It is also grammatically wrong to use «myself» as a form of introduction during conversations or meeting introductions. It is not a good approach that when the speaker introduces himself, he uses the word «myself».

For example, «I myself Andrew and the discussion today is about global warming». In this sentence, once the subject is again removed, there is no meaning to the sentence.

• It is essential to keep in mind that when «myself» is used in the sentence as an object, it can come right after the verb or after the main activity regarding which the verb reflects. This can either be a direct or indirect instance of «myself’ to act as an object.

How To Use The Word «Myself» In A Sentence With Examples

The best way to explain the use of the word «myself» is by illustrating a few examples.

• Jenny and myself are leaving town this afternoon.
• Jenny and I are leaving town this afternoon.

In the above example, the word «myself» has been used as a subject which is mostly done by when commonly stating such a sentence. The first example is completely wrong due to the inaccurate use of the pronoun «myself». If we remove «Jenny» from the first example, the sentence won’t make any sense. In this respect, the second sentence gives a more clear idea regarding the use of the first person as a subject.

Another example of the proper use of the pronoun «myself» is:

• I will take the medicine.
• I will take the medicine myself.

In this example, the word «myself» is now placing emphasis when comparing both statements simultaneously.

«Myself» can also be used as an object regardless of being used as either direct or indirect:

• I cut myself when I was cutting vegetables.
• I left the mall by myself.

The first sentence is the perfect example of the word «myself» being used as a direct object whereas the second sentence represents the use of the pronoun «myself» as an indirect object. The reason why the second sentence provides the best example for the indirect object use of the word «myself» is because the sentence provides complete meaning without the use of this optional word.

How is «Myself» Properly Used In A Sentence: Conclusion

It is accurately used only when you remember that «myself» doesn’t serve a function to serve as a subject. No doubt, there are many statements that might sound inaccurate but the rules of the grammar shall prevail as long as the language needs to be standardized. Keep in mind that «myself» has a primary role in acting as an object or an emphasizing pronoun.

Asked by: Laury DuBuque

Score: 4.3/5
(40 votes)

An easy rule to remember is that the reflexive pronoun myself is always used as the object of a sentence, never the subject.

Is it correct to say myself and John?

“I” is correct. The speaker is the subject of the sentence, the one performing the action, and so you use the subject version of the pronoun. “Myself” is used to refer back to yourself if you’ve already mentioned yourself in a sentence. …

When should I use me or myself in a sentence?

In general, when the speaker is the object of a verb, but not the subject, choose me. When the speaker is both the subject and the object of a verb, choose myself. Since myself and subject both contain the letter S, this should be an easy rule to remember.

How do you use the word yourself?

To use the word «myself» right, you just need the word «I» or «me» operating as the subject (the thing or person the sentence is about) somewhere else in the sentence. Sometimes, the word «myself» is also used for emphasis, or to put particular stress on a point.

Is it correct to say myself?

It’s grammatically correct to use myself when you are both the subject and the object of a sentence; for example, ‘I see myself as a senior manager one day,’ or, ‘I’m going to treat myself to a holiday. … You can also use reflexive pronouns to add emphasis to a sentence; for example, ‘I wrote it myself.

32 related questions found

Similar words: self, self-, itself, himself, oneself, yourself, of itself, by itself. Meaning: [maɪˈself; mɪˈself]  pron.1. (used as an intensive of me or I): I myself will challenge the winner. 2. (used reflexively in place of me as the object of a preposition or as the direct or indirect object of a verb): I gave myself a good rubdown. She asked me for a picture of myself. 3. Informal. (used in place of I or me, esp. in compound subjects, objects, and complements): My wife and myself fully agree. She wanted John and myself to take charge. The originators of the plan were my partner and myself. 4. (used in place of I or me after as, than, or but): He knows as much about the matter as myself. 5. my normal or customary self: After a few days of rest, I expect to be myself again..