English often looks easy until it quietly trips you up. You read a sentence. It sounds fine. You type it confidently. Then someone points out a tiny error that suddenly makes you question your instincts.
Few mistakes cause more confusion than “its self” vs. “itself.”
They sound the same when spoken. They look logical when separated. And yet, one of them is always wrong in standard English.
This confusion shows up everywhere. Blog posts. Academic essays. Business reports. Even professionally edited content slips now and then. Readers notice. Editors flag it instantly. Search engines associate these small errors with lower credibility.
This guide clears the confusion completely.
You’ll learn why “itself” is correct, why “its self” never works, and how to avoid this mistake forever—without memorizing complicated grammar terms or second-guessing your writing.
If you care about writing clearly, sounding confident, and earning trust, this matters more than you think.
Let’s break it down in plain, human English.
Why “Its Self” vs. “Itself” Confuses So Many Writers
This mistake doesn’t happen because writers are careless. It happens because English sounds different when spoken than when written.
When you say a sentence out loud, you hear a smooth flow:
“The system fixed itself.”
There’s no pause. No audible boundary. Your brain fills in the gaps and assumes the word must be made of two pieces. Add the fact that “its” already exists as a word, and the confusion feels natural.
Three main forces drive this mistake:
- Spoken English blends words together
- Writers rely on logic instead of grammar rules
- Apostrophe confusion between its and it’s
Understanding these roots makes the correction stick permanently.
Quick Answer: Is “Its Self” Ever Correct?
Let’s settle this clearly and confidently.
“Its self” is not correct in modern English.
“Itself” is always the correct form.
There are:
- No exceptions in American English
- No style guides that approve “its self”
- No professional contexts where it’s acceptable
Here’s the rule you can remember forever:
If “himself” is one word, “itself” must be one word too.
What “Itself” Really Means in Grammar
Understanding the function of “itself” makes everything else click.
“Itself” Is a Reflexive Pronoun
A reflexive pronoun shows that the subject performs an action on itself.
That sounds technical, but the idea is simple.
Examples:
- The robot repaired itself
- The software updated itself
- The door closed itself
In each sentence:
- The subject performs the action
- The subject receives the action
That reflection is the key.
Why English Combines “It” and “Self”
English treats reflexive pronouns as single, fixed units.
Here’s the full reflexive pattern:
| Subject Pronoun | Reflexive Pronoun |
| I | myself |
| You | yourself |
| He | himself |
| She | herself |
| It | itself |
| We | ourselves |
| They | themselves |
Notice something important?
Not one reflexive pronoun appears as two words.
English locks these forms together to preserve clarity and consistency.
Why “Its Self” Is Grammatically Incorrect
At first glance, “its self” feels logical. Grammar, however, doesn’t always follow surface logic.
Let’s break it apart.
“Its” Is a Possessive Pronoun
The word its shows ownership.
Examples:
- The company changed its policy
- The dog wagged its tail
- The phone lost its signal
Possessive pronouns describe belonging, not action.
“Self” Is a Standalone Noun
The word self functions as a noun on its own.
Examples:
- A sense of self
- Self-awareness matters
- Protect your authentic self
When you write “its self,” you’re combining:
- A possessive pronoun
- A separate noun
English does not allow this structure to act as a reflexive pronoun.
It’s the same reason these fail:
- ❌ his self
- ❌ her self
- ❌ their self
They sound wrong because they are wrong.
“Its” vs. “It’s”: The Hidden Source of Confusion
Many writers arrive at “its self” after getting tangled in apostrophe rules.
The Real Difference
- its → possessive form
- it’s → contraction of it is or it has
Examples:
- The machine lost its power
- It’s running smoothly now
Some writers think possession requires an apostrophe. Others try to “fix” that by removing it. Both paths lead to the same mistake.
Clear Comparison Table
| Form | Meaning | Correct Example |
| its | possession | The app lost its connection |
| it’s | contraction | It’s working again |
| itself | reflexive pronoun | The app restarted itself |
| its self | ❌ incorrect | Never acceptable |
Read More” When I Can or When Can I? Understanding the Correct Usage
Comparing “Itself” With Himself and Herself
Patterns make grammar easy.
Look at these sentences:
- He blamed himself
- She prepared herself
- The system optimized itself
Now break them apart:
- ❌ his self
- ❌ her self
- ❌ its self
None of these work.
Once you recognize the pattern, the rule becomes automatic.
Real-World Examples Across Writing Contexts
Academic Writing
Editors expect grammatical precision.
Correct:
The algorithm recalibrates itself when data changes.
Incorrect:
The algorithm recalibrates its self when data changes.
That single mistake can lower the perceived quality of an entire paper.
Business and Professional Writing
Professional writing demands clarity and trust.
Correct:
The software installs itself during setup.
Incorrect:
The software installs its self during setup.
Clients and hiring managers notice errors like this immediately.
Creative Writing and Storytelling
Even creative writing follows core grammar rules.
Correct:
The house seemed to rebuild itself overnight.
Incorrect:
The house seemed to rebuild its self overnight.
Creativity bends rules. Grammar does not.
Special Emphasis Uses of “Itself”
Sometimes “itself” adds emphasis rather than necessity.
Examples:
- The city itself felt alive
- The problem itself wasn’t complicated
Here, “itself” highlights the subject rather than reflecting an action. The spelling remains unchanged.
Can “Itself” Ever Be Optional?
Sometimes, yes.
Compare:
- The door opened
- The door opened itself
The second sentence emphasizes that no one caused the action. Removing “itself” changes the meaning, not the grammar.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
“I’ve Seen ‘Its Self’ Online”
Online repetition doesn’t equal correctness.
Search engines index mistakes constantly.
Grammar rules don’t change because an error appears often.
“Older Texts Used It”
Modern English standards do not allow “its self.”
Current style guides—including AP, Chicago, and MLA—reject it completely.
Easy Memory Tricks That Always Work
- Replace “it” with “he”
If “himself” fits, “itself” fits - Say it out loud with “herself”
- Remember: reflexive pronouns are never split
Simple. Reliable. Foolproof.
Why This Mistake Hurts Credibility
Search engines evaluate writing quality as a trust signal. Grammar errors can:
- Lower reader confidence
- Increase bounce rates
- Reduce perceived authority
- Hurt editorial approval chances
Clean grammar supports E-E-A-T by signaling care, accuracy, and expertise.
Quick Practice (With Answers)
Fill in the blank:
- The system repaired ___ overnight
- The organization restructured ___ after the merger
Answers:
- itself
- itself
If “its self” ever feels tempting, pause. It’s never correct.
Final Verdict: Its Self vs. Itself
There’s no debate here.
“Itself” is the only correct form.
“Its self” is always incorrect.
Once you see the reflexive pattern, the confusion disappears for good. Your writing becomes cleaner. Your credibility improves. And you stop second-guessing something that shouldn’t be complicated.
Grammar doesn’t need to feel intimidating. Sometimes, it just needs a clear explanation.
FAQs
Is “its self” ever correct in American or British English?
No. It’s incorrect in both.
Why does “the self” exist but “its self” doesn’t?
“The self” is a noun phrase. Reflexive pronouns follow different rules.
Can “itself” refer to people?
Yes, in abstract or collective contexts.
Do major style guides allow “its self”?
No. AP, Chicago, and MLA all reject it.
