Ever wondered whether you should write “itself” or “its self”? You are not alone. The two forms look almost identical, but they do not have the same grammatical function. In most everyday sentences, itself is the correct spelling because it is the standard reflexive and emphatic pronoun.
However, “its self” can occasionally appear when self is being used as a separate noun, usually in philosophical, psychological, or highly specialized writing. Understanding this small distinction can help you avoid an easy grammar mistake.
Itself or Its Self: The Quick Answer
In ordinary English, itself is almost always the form you need.
- Itself = the standard reflexive or emphatic pronoun.
- Its self = two separate words, used only in specific contexts where self functions as a noun.
Examples
Correct in normal usage:
The machine turned itself off.
The cat cleaned itself.
The company itself announced the decision.
A specialized use of “its self”:
The discussion focused on the object’s relationship with its self.
The last example treats self as an independent noun rather than using the ordinary pronoun itself.
So, if you are simply asking “Is it itself or its self?”, the answer is generally itself.
What Does “Itself” Mean?
Itself is the reflexive form of the pronoun it. It refers back to something previously mentioned, such as an object, animal, organization, situation, or other thing represented by it.
For example:
The computer restarted itself.
Here, itself refers back to the computer.
The word can also be used for emphasis:
The restaurant itself was beautiful.
In this sentence, itself adds emphasis. The speaker is highlighting the restaurant specifically, rather than merely mentioning it as part of the sentence.
Itself Grammar: How to Use It Correctly
There are two major ways itself is used in English: as a reflexive pronoun and as an intensive or emphatic pronoun.
1. Itself as a Reflexive Pronoun
A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of a sentence.
Consider:
The dog hurt itself.
The subject is the dog, and itself refers back to that same subject.
Other examples include:
- The door closed itself.
- The robot repaired itself.
- The plant can protect itself.
- The system automatically updates itself.
- The animal washed itself.
The reflexive form is necessary because the action comes back to the subject.
2. Itself for Emphasis
Itself can also emphasize a noun.
For example:
The building itself isn’t very large.
Here, itself does not mean that the building performed an action on itself. Instead, it emphasizes the building.
More examples:
- The idea itself is interesting.
- The book itself is easy to understand.
- The problem itself isn’t difficult.
- The company itself confirmed the news.
This use is sometimes called an intensive pronoun because it adds emphasis without changing the basic meaning of the sentence.
Is “Its Self” Grammatically Correct?
Yes, its self can be grammatically possible, but it is not the normal alternative spelling of itself.
This distinction is important.
When you mean the reflexive pronoun, write:
The machine repaired itself.
Not:
The machine repaired its self.
But in unusual contexts, self can be treated as a separate noun. In that case, its works as a possessive determiner:
The philosophy explores the creature and its self.
Here, self is being discussed as a concept or entity in its own right.
This construction is uncommon in everyday English. You are much more likely to encounter it in philosophical, psychological, literary, or academic discussions.
Itself vs. Its Self: The Main Difference
The easiest way to understand the distinction is to look at the grammatical role of each form.
| Form | Grammatical role | Commonness | Example |
| itself | Reflexive/emphatic pronoun | Very common | The device fixed itself. |
| its self | Possessive + noun | Uncommon/specialized | The theory examines its self. |
If you are replacing it + self with a reflexive pronoun, use itself.
A Simple Test
Ask yourself:
Am I referring back to “it”?
If yes, you probably need itself.
For example:
The phone turned itself off.
The phone is both the subject and the thing affected by the action, so itself is correct.
If you are talking about self as a separate concept, then its self may be appropriate.
Why Do People Confuse “Itself” and “Its Self”?
The confusion usually comes from the fact that itself contains the words it and self.
English has several reflexive pronouns that follow this pattern:
- myself
- yourself
- himself
- herself
- itself
- ourselves
- yourselves
- themselves
Because itself looks like a combination of two words, some writers assume that it can be separated into its self. Grammatically, though, the standard reflexive pronoun is one word.
The same principle applies to other reflexive pronouns. We write herself, not her self, when we mean the reflexive pronoun.
Itself or Its Self Grammar Examples
Here are some examples that make the difference clearer.
Correct: Itself
The camera adjusted itself automatically.
Why?
The camera is the thing performing and receiving the action, so itself is the reflexive pronoun.
Correct: Itself for emphasis
The design itself wasn’t the problem.
Why?
The word itself emphasizes the design.
Specialized: Its self
The novel explores the character’s relationship with its self.
Why?
Here, self is being treated as a separate noun or abstract concept. This is not the ordinary reflexive construction.
Incorrect in ordinary usage
The computer restarted its self.
Better:
The computer restarted itself.
In the ordinary sentence, its self incorrectly separates the reflexive pronoun.
Common Mistakes With Itself
Mistake 1: Writing “its self” as two words
Incorrect: The machine switched its self off.
Correct: The machine switched itself off.
When itself is functioning as a reflexive pronoun, it should be written as one word.
Mistake 2: Confusing “its” with “it’s”
Remember:
- its = possessive form
- it’s = contraction of it is or it has
For example:
The company changed its policy.
But:
It’s changing its policy.
Neither of these is the same as the reflexive pronoun itself.
Mistake 3: Using “itself” when another pronoun is required
The pronoun needs to agree with its antecedent.
For example:
Sarah blamed herself.
Not:
Sarah blamed itself.
For an inanimate thing or an entity referred to with it, use itself.
When Should You Use “Itself”?
Use itself when:
- The pronoun refers back to it.
- An object or thing performs an action on itself.
- You want to emphasize a noun represented by it.
- You are writing a normal sentence and need the reflexive form of it.
Examples:
- The door opened itself.
- The software installed itself.
- The bird injured itself.
- The product itself is affordable.
- The problem will resolve itself.
When Can You Use “Its Self”?
Use its self only when self is intentionally functioning as a separate noun.
This can occur in specialized writing where an author is discussing identity, consciousness, personhood, or an entity’s internal nature.
For everyday writing, however, its self will usually look like a mistake if you intended the reflexive pronoun.
If you are unsure, replace it with itself and see whether the sentence still makes sense.
Itself vs. It’s Self vs. Its Self
These forms can be confusing, so it helps to separate them.
Itself
The standard reflexive or emphatic pronoun.
The device fixed itself.
Its self
A possessive determiner (its) followed by the noun (self).
The theory examines its self.
This is unusual and context-dependent.
It’s self
In standard English, it’s self is generally incorrect when you are trying to write the reflexive pronoun.
It’s means either it is or it has, so it cannot normally replace itself.
Incorrect: The machine repaired it’s self.
Correct: The machine repaired itself.
How to Remember the Correct Form
A simple memory trick can help:
If “self” is part of the pronoun, write it as one word: itself.
Think of the reflexive pronoun family:
myself → yourself → himself → herself → itself → ourselves → themselves
You would not normally separate these into two words, and itself follows the same pattern.
Examples in Everyday English
Here are a few natural examples you might encounter in everyday writing:
- The door opened by itself.
- The phone turned itself off.
- The child accidentally hurt itself.
- The software updated itself overnight.
- The company itself issued a statement.
- The problem solved itself eventually.
- The machine can clean itself.
- The house itself isn’t very old.
In all of these examples, itself is written as one word.
A Quick “Itself or Its Self” Checklist
Before choosing the spelling, ask these questions:
- Am I using the reflexive form of “it”?
→ Use itself. - Am I emphasizing something referred to as “it”?
→ Use itself. - Am I deliberately treating “self” as a separate noun?
→ Its self may be possible. - Am I writing “it’s self” because I think it means the same thing as “itself”?
→ Don’t. Use itself.
For most everyday sentences, this makes the decision very simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it “itself” or “its self”?
Itself is correct in normal English when you need the reflexive or emphatic pronoun. Its self is a separate construction in which self functions as a noun and is much less common.
Is “its self” grammatically correct?
It can be grammatically correct in specialized contexts where self is being used as a separate noun. It should not, however, be used as an alternative spelling of the reflexive pronoun itself.
Is “itself” one word?
Yes. Itself is normally written as one word.
Is “it’s self” correct?
Usually no. It’s means it is or it has. If you mean the reflexive pronoun, the correct form is itself.
Which is correct: “the thing itself” or “the thing its self”?
The thing itself is correct. Here, itself is emphasizing the thing.
Can “itself” be used for emphasis?
Yes. For example:
The design itself is quite simple.
Here, itself emphasizes the word design.
What is the difference between “its” and “itself”?
Its is a possessive determiner, while itself is a reflexive or emphatic pronoun.
Compare:
The company changed its logo.
The company redesigned itself.
The first sentence shows possession; the second uses a reflexive pronoun.
Conclusion
So, itself or its self—which should you choose? In almost every ordinary sentence, the answer is itself. It is the standard reflexive and emphatic pronoun corresponding to it.
Its self is not simply another spelling of itself. It can appear when self is deliberately being treated as a separate noun, particularly in specialized philosophical, psychological, or literary contexts.
The easiest rule to remember is simple: when you mean the reflexive pronoun, use “itself” as one word. Keeping that distinction in mind will help you write more naturally and avoid one of the common little traps in English grammar.
