Ever wondered whether to write “itself” or “its self”? You’re not alone. Many fluent English speakers hesitate when this small but tricky phrase appears.
While the difference seems minor, it carries deep grammatical and philosophical nuances.
This article breaks down everything you need to know — from reflexive pronouns and possessive rules to rare cases where “its self” may actually make sense. By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use each and why.
Why This Tiny Difference Matters
The confusion between its self and itself often stems from how English evolved. As language simplified over centuries, older constructions like its self faded. Yet, you might still encounter it in philosophical, psychological, or literary contexts.
Let’s start with a simple comparison:
| Sentence | Meaning | Correct? |
|---|---|---|
| The cat cleaned itself. | Reflexive pronoun — the cat is both subject and object. | ✅ Correct |
| The cat cleaned its self. | Grammatically incorrect in standard English. | ❌ Incorrect |
| The mind reflects on its self. | Acceptable in philosophical or poetic contexts. | ⚠️ Rare/Contextual |
In everyday writing, itself is nearly always right. But to understand why, we need to look at reflexive pronouns.
Understanding Reflexive Pronouns in English
A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of the sentence. It shows that the subject is performing an action on itself.
Examples of reflexive pronouns:
| Subject | Reflexive Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | myself | I taught myself Spanish. |
| You | yourself | You should be proud of yourself. |
| He | himself | He hurt himself while running. |
| She | herself | She prepared herself for the exam. |
| It | itself | The computer restarted itself. |
| We | ourselves | We introduced ourselves to the new teacher. |
| They | themselves | They blamed themselves for the mistake. |
Each reflexive pronoun is formed by adding -self (singular) or -selves (plural) to a possessive or object pronoun.
So naturally, it + self = itself.
What “Itself” Really Means — The Standard and Correct Form
“Itself” is the reflexive pronoun of it. It indicates that the subject and object are the same thing.
You use itself when:
- The subject performs an action on itself.
- You want to emphasize it as the doer and receiver.
- You describe something happening naturally or independently.
Examples:
- The cat cleaned itself.
- The machine turns off itself after ten minutes.
- The company prides itself on innovation.
- Nature can heal itself over time.
Why it’s correct:
“Itself” aligns with English grammar rules for reflexive pronouns. It appears in formal, academic, and conversational English alike. Every modern grammar and style guide — from Merriam-Webster to The Chicago Manual of Style — treats itself as the only standard form.
When “Its Self” Appears — Rare but Contextual
Here’s where things get interesting.
While its self is grammatically incorrect in most situations, it occasionally appears in philosophical, religious, or psychological contexts. In those cases, self is treated as a noun, not a suffix.
It refers to the concept of “self” as identity, consciousness, or inner being.”
Examples:
- “The soul reflects upon its self to understand its nature.”
- “Through meditation, the mind becomes aware of its self.”
- “Philosophy explores how a being perceives its self in relation to the universe.”
In these cases, its self literally means “the self that belongs to it.”
Think of it like this:
“Itself” is grammatical;
“Its self” is conceptual.
Where You Might See It
- Philosophy: Discussions of self-awareness or consciousness.
- Psychology: Describing identity and ego (e.g., Jung’s Self concept).
- Spiritual writings: Referring to soul or divine essence.
Even then, modern editors often rephrase such expressions as “its own self” or “the self.”
So, unless you’re analyzing The Bhagavad Gita or Carl Jung, stick with itself.
The Difference Between “Its,” “It’s,” and “Itself”
These three words are some of the most commonly mixed up in English. Let’s clear that confusion once and for all.
| Word | Type | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| It’s | Contraction | Means “it is” or “it has” | It’s raining outside. |
| Its | Possessive pronoun | Shows ownership | The dog wagged its tail. |
| Itself | Reflexive pronoun | Refers back to the subject | The computer restarted itself. |
Quick tip:
If you can replace “it’s” with “it is” or “it has” and the sentence still makes sense — use “it’s.”
If not, use “its.”
Example:
- “The company increased its revenue.” ✅
- “It’s been a great year for the company.” ✅
How to Test Whether “Itself” or “Its Self” Is Correct
Here’s a simple step-by-step method to test your sentence.
- Check for reflexive use.
Does it perform an action on itself?
→ Use itself. “The mirror reflects itself.” ✅ - Check for conceptual or abstract meaning.
Are you referring to identity or awareness?
→ Its self may fit, but it’s still unusual. “The mind contemplates its self.” ⚠️ (Philosophical) - Check the grammar pattern.
Replace its self with itself. If it still makes sense and sounds natural, use itself. - Follow modern grammar norms.
Style guides, academic editors, and dictionaries all endorse itself.
Case Study: Modern vs. Philosophical Usage
Let’s examine two contexts side by side.
| Context | Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday English | “The AI taught itself to play chess.” | Correct. Reflexive action. |
| Academic Philosophy | “Consciousness perceives its self as both observer and observed.” | Acceptable in philosophical texts discussing identity. |
Observation
- Itself dominates modern usage.
- Its self survives in disciplines that treat self as a separate entity.
In short:
If your audience expects grammatical precision — use itself.
If your audience expects abstract thought — its self might fit stylistically.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Here are the most frequent mix-ups involving “itself,” “its,” and “it’s,” along with tips to fix them.
Mistake 1: Using “It’s” When You Mean “Its”
❌ The company increased it’s profits.
âś… The company increased its profits.
Tip: If you can’t replace it with “it is,” remove the apostrophe.
Mistake 2: Writing “Its Self” Instead of “Itself”
❌ The dog hurt its self while running.
âś… The dog hurt itself while running.
Tip: Reflexive pronouns are single words. Always merge it and self.
Mistake 3: Overusing Reflexive Pronouns
❌ The manager himself approved it himself.
âś… The manager approved it himself.
Tip: Use reflexive pronouns for clarity or emphasis, not repetition.
Mistake 4: Confusing Reflexive and Emphatic Use
Reflexive: The cat washed itself.
Emphatic: The cat itself was calm.
Note: Reflexive shows action; emphatic adds stress or focus.
Real-Life Applications: When You’ll Actually Use “Itself”
You’ll find “itself” in many areas of writing and conversation:
1. Academic Writing
- “The theory explains itself through evidence.”
- “The system regulates itself naturally.”
2. Everyday Conversation
- “This coffee machine turns off by itself.”
- “The problem solved itself after the update.”
3. Business and Marketing
- “The brand distinguishes itself with bold design.”
- “The company reinvented itself after the merger.”
4. Technology
- “Artificial intelligence programs that teach themselves.”
- “The network can heal itself from small failures.”
Language Fact: Historical Evolution
Interestingly, itself didn’t always exist as one word. In Old English, writers sometimes used forms like hit self or it selfe. Over time, they merged into the single term we use today.
By the 17th century, itself became standardized, and its self fell out of normal grammar usage.
So, when you choose itself, you’re actually following centuries of linguistic refinement.
Common Misconceptions
| Misconception | Truth |
|---|---|
| “Its self” is a more formal version of “itself.” | ❌ Wrong. “Its self” isn’t formal; it’s rare and philosophical. |
| “It’s” and “its” mean the same. | ❌ Wrong. “It’s” = it is / it has. “Its” = belongs to it. |
| Reflexive pronouns always add emphasis. | ❌ Not always. They mainly show the subject acting on itself. |
| You can never use “its self.” | ⚠️ Rarely true. You can in abstract, literary, or philosophical writing. |
Quick Grammar Reference Table
| Form | Type | Example Sentence | Correctness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Itself | Reflexive pronoun | The cat cleaned itself. | âś… Correct |
| Its self | Possessive + noun | The mind examined its self. | ⚠️ Contextual only |
| Its | Possessive pronoun | The company grew its profits. | âś… Correct |
| It’s | Contraction | It’s been a long day. | ✅ Correct |
Practical Writing Tips
âś… Always proofread your text for reflexive pronouns.
âś… Use grammar checkers like Grammarly to catch apostrophe errors.
✅ Read your sentence aloud — does “its self” sound clunky? Then it probably is.
âś… Remember: clarity beats complexity.
FAQs
Is “its self” ever grammatically correct?
Only in rare philosophical or poetic writing, where “self” is treated as a noun. In everyday English, itself is always correct.
Why do people confuse “itself” and “its self”?
Because English allows “its” as a possessive form and “self” as a standalone noun, some assume they can combine them. However, grammar doesn’t support this in standard usage.
Can I use “its self” in academic writing?
Unless you’re analyzing philosophy, psychology, or literature where the concept of “self” is discussed, avoid it. Use itself.
How do I remember the difference?
Think of itself as one idea — the subject doing something to itself. If you can separate its and self without losing meaning, you might be in a rare abstract context.
Is “itself” formal or casual?
Both. Itself fits in any context — academic papers, business writing, or casual conversation. It’s standard and accepted everywhere.
Conclusion
The verdict is simple:
- Use “itself” for all normal writing, speech, and academic work.
- Use “its self” only if you’re discussing the concept of self in a philosophical sense.
Remember this rule of thumb:
If your sentence describes an action — use itself.
If your sentence describes identity — its self may apply.
So next time you hesitate, think of this line:
The cat cleaned itself — not its self.
Master that, and you’ll never second-guess it again.
I’m Sameer — a passionate English enthusiast who loves exploring words, grammar, and the art of effective communication. ✍️