The Truth About “Its Self” Vs. “Itself” That Every Writer Should Know

When learning English, even a diligent learner can get confused by tricky parts like “It’s” vs. “Itself.” Understanding the Correct Usage clearly is key to success. The word itself is a single reflexive pronoun used to point back to the subject, while its self is rarely correct and can cause minor grammar mistakes that affect sentence clarity.

Understanding how these words fit in sentences helps avoid mixing up terms that look similar. This tricky territory can feel like solving a puzzle, but thinking of it as one whole word makes it easier. With practice, recognizing the correct form becomes natural, keeping your writing clear and well understood every time.

Understanding the subtle difference between itself and itself can save you from embarrassing grammar mistakes and help you write with clarity and confidence. These two forms often confuse writers, even native speakers, because they sound alike and relate closely to the pronoun “it.” But using them correctly can improve your writing style and ensure your message lands precisely.

Understanding Reflexive Pronouns: The Role of “Itself”

First, let’s clarify what reflexive pronouns are and where they fit in.

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of a sentence refer to the same entity. They “reflect” the action back onto the subject. English has several reflexive pronouns: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.

Among them, it is the reflexive form of the pronoun it. It refers back to a singular, non-gendered subject. For example:

• The cat cleaned itself.
• The company prides itself on innovation.
• The machine shuts down by itself when it overheats.

In each case, itself refers back to the subject acting. Notice how the reflexive pronoun is one solid word—never split.

Why Is “Itself” Always One Word?

Because it is a reflexive pronoun, it functions as a single grammatical unit. Breaking it into two words changes its meaning or renders the phrase incorrect.

Reflexive pronouns have developed into single words in English to mark the reflexive action. This unity distinguishes them from possessive or descriptive phrases.

Breaking Down “Itself”: Origins and Usage

Unlike itself, its self is a phrase made of two separate words: its, a possessive pronoun, and self, a noun.

It historically appears in older texts, philosophical writings, and psychological discussions. It often refers to the “own identity” or the “being” of an object or entity. In this sense, it’s self is used more abstractly.

Where Do We See “Itself”?

• Philosophy: Writers like William James and Carl Jung use themselves to discuss consciousness or identity.
• Spiritual texts: It can denote the “true self” of a person or being.
• Older literature: Some 18th- and 19th-century writings separate “its self” to emphasize possession and individuality.

For example, in a philosophical sentence:

“Every organism must recognize itself as distinct from the environment.”

Here, it’s self means the organism’s own identity, not a reflexive pronoun.

Is “Itself” Correct in Modern English?

In everyday writing and modern grammar, it is mostly archaic or used in very specialized contexts. For general English, itself is almost always the correct form.

Common Confusions: “It’s,” “Its,” and the Impact on “Itself”

Before we go further, it’s crucial to clear up confusion surrounding its, it’s, and how that confusion affects the use of itself.

• It’s the possessive pronoun, showing ownership without an apostrophe.
• It’s a contraction of it is or it has.

Mixing these up is one of the most frequent grammar mistakes. For instance:

• The dog wagged its tail. (Correct possessive)
• It’s raining outside. (Contraction of it is)
• Its color is bright. (Incorrect apostrophe usage)

This mix-up spills over into how people use it and mistakenly write it’s self or its’ self.

Tips to Avoid Mistakes

• If you can replace the word with “it is” or “it has,” use it’s.
• If you are showing possession (something belongs to it), use its without an apostrophe.
• Remember, itself is always one word and never has an apostrophe.
• It’s self or its’ self are always incorrect in modern English.

Practical Grammar Rules: When to Use “Itself” vs. “Its Self”

Let’s break down clear, actionable guidelines to help you know when to use itself and when its self might appear:

Use Itself When:

• The pronoun refers back to the subject of the sentence.
• You want to emphasize the subject acting alone or by reflection.
• Writing in everyday, formal, or academic English (outside specific philosophical contexts).

Example sentences:

• The robot fixed itself after malfunctioning.
• The committee prides itself on transparency.
• The house repaired itself over many years.

Consider Its Self Only When:

• Quoting or discussing philosophical, spiritual, or psychological texts where the concept of “self” is abstract and distinct.
• Writing in a context that emphasizes identity or being as a noun possessed by “it.”

Example:

• In Jungian psychology, the ego separates from itself to achieve individuation.

Quick Self-Test for Writers

• If you can substitute “by itself” or “on its own,” use itself.
• If referring to an entity’s identity or abstract “self,” check if the source you’re quoting uses its self.

Real-World Examples: Clarifying Usage Through Context

Let’s look at a table contrasting correct and incorrect usage for clarity:

Sentence Example	Correct Form	Explanation
The cat groomed itself.	Incorrect	“Itself” is the correct reflexive pronoun.
The cat groomed itself.	Correct	A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject.
The organization defines itself clearly.	Correct (Philosophical)	Refers to the organization’s identity concept.
The organization defines itself clearly.	Correct (Common)	Means the organization alone defines itself.
The dog chased its tail.	Incorrect	“It’s” is a contraction, wrong here.
The dog chased its tail.	Correct	PA possesses a pronoun showing ownership.
The machine repaired itself.	Incorrect	Apostrophe misplaced; possessive pronoun is “its.”

Case Study: Philosophy vs. Everyday English

• Everyday English:
  “The computer resets itself after a crash.” (Simple reflexive use)
• Philosophical text:
  “The conscious mind must explore itself to achieve awareness.”
  Here, it’s self refers to the “self” as an object of study, not a reflexive pronoun.

Mastering the Subtle but Important Difference

Understanding when to use itself versus its self sharpens your grammar and boosts your writing clarity. Most of the time, it is your go-to form because it’s a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject. Itself is rare and usually appears in philosophical or spiritual contexts to describe identity or being.

Being precise with these forms prevents confusion and keeps your writing professional. Remember, it is always one word. Watch out for apostrophe mistakes with its and it’s, as they frequently lead to errors.

By practicing these tips and paying attention to context, you’ll use these terms like a pro in no time.

Bonus: Handy Reference Table for “Itself” vs. “Its Self” vs. “It’s” vs. “Its”

Term	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example	Common Mistakes
itself	Reflexive pronoun	Refers back to the subject; acts on itself	The cat cleaned itself.	Writing as two words: “it self.”
its	Possessive pronoun	Shows ownership without an apostrophe	The dog wagged its tail.	Using apostrophe: “it’s.”
it’s	Contraction	Short for “it is” or “it has”	It’s raining today.	Confused with possessive “its.”
its self	Noun phrase (rare)	Philosophical/spiritual term for “one’s self.”	The soul seeks itself.	Using in everyday writing

Final Thoughts

Mastering the difference between itself and its self might seem like a small detail, but it significantly impacts how clear and polished your writing sounds. Most of the time, you’ll want to use itself, a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject as a single word. This form is straightforward, widely accepted, and fits most everyday, academic, and professional writing contexts.

On the other hand, it’s self is a phrase you’ll encounter mainly in philosophical, spiritual, or psychological texts. It’s not common in everyday language and often carries a deeper meaning related to identity or consciousness. Using it casually can confuse readers, so reserve it for when you truly mean the abstract “self” of something.

You also need to keep a close eye on similar but different words and their meanings. Mixing these up leads to frequent grammar mistakes that distract from your message. Remember, it’s shows possession without an apostrophe, while it’s contracts “it is” or “it has.” And no matter what, it never has an apostrophe and is always one word.

Taking the time to understand and apply these distinctions will elevate your writing, making it clearer and more professional. When in doubt, ask yourself: am I showing possession, describing a reflexive action, or referring to a philosophical concept? Your answer will guide you to the right form every time.

FAQs

Is “itself” one word or two words?

“Itself” is almost always written as one word in standard English grammar. It functions as a reflexive pronoun that refers back to a thing, object, or animal already mentioned in a sentence. Writing it as two words is considered incorrect in most everyday situations.

What does “itself” mean in grammar?

“Itself” is a reflexive pronoun used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same thing. It can also emphasize something. For example, “The machine repaired itself” means the machine acted on its own.

Is “its self” grammatically correct?

“It’s self” can technically appear in rare or historical writing, but it is not commonly used in modern English. In normal conversation and professional writing, “itself” is the correct and preferred spelling.

Why do people confuse “its self” and “itself”?

People often confuse them because both forms look similar and contain the word “its.” However, English grammar combines the reflexive pronoun into one word, just like “himself,” “herself,” and “themselves.”

Can “itself” be used for animals?

Yes, “itself” can be used for animals when the animal’s gender is unknown or unimportant. For example, “The cat cleaned itself.” If the animal is treated more personally, writers sometimes use “himself” or “herself” instead.

How do you use “itself” in a sentence?

“Itself” is used when something acts upon itself or for emphasis. For example, “The company itself announced the news.” Here, the word emphasizes the company directly rather than someone connected to it.

Is “itself” a pronoun?

Yes, “itself” is a reflexive and intensive pronoun in English grammar. It refers back to a noun or pronoun already mentioned and can also add emphasis within a sentence.

Are there situations where “it’s self” is acceptable?

In very rare cases, “it’s self” may appear in philosophical, poetic, or historical texts where “self” is treated as a separate noun. However, this usage is uncommon and should generally be avoided in modern writing.

What is the difference between “it’s” and “itself”?

“It’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has,” while “itself” is a reflexive pronoun. They serve completely different grammatical purposes and should not be confused in writing.

How can I remember the correct form easily?

A simple trick is to compare it with other reflexive pronouns like “myself,” “yourself,” and “himself.” Since all of these are written as one word, “itself” should also be written as one word.