Socializing
The Evolution and Usage of ‘Themselves’ and ‘Themself’
1. Introduction to Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns, such as "themselves," play a crucial role in English grammar. They are used to indicate that the object of a verb or preposition refers to the subject of the sentence. Reflexive pronouns can be used in two primary ways: to refer to the subject, and to emphasize either the subject or the object. This article aims to clarify the usage and evolution of “themselves” and the newly acknowledged “themself”.
2. Understanding “Themselves”
“Themselves” is the third-person plural reflexive pronoun. It is composed of the pronoun “them” combined with the reflexive suffix “-selves.” The structure “them selves” and “them-selves” are incorrect and technically non-existent.
2.1 Usage Cases
Referring to the subject of the sentence:
“John and Mary tripped over each other’s feet. They both fell down and hurt themselves.”
Emphasizing the subject or the object:
“Your parents themselves will fetch you from school. Do not go with anyone else.”
“I myself will do this.”
“Tell it to your father himself not to anyone else.”
Incorrect usage, such as substituting “themself” for “I” or “me,” is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided, as seen in examples like “Mary and myself are coming to your party.”
3. The Historical Evolution of English Pronouns
English has undergone significant changes in its pronoun system over time. In Early Modern English (1500s), the distinction between 2nd person singular and 2nd person plural had not yet been made. This early system used forms like “ourself” for royal or formal settings.
3.1 Early Modern English Pronoun System
Until the 16th century, the English pronoun system was structured as follows:
1st person singular: I, me, my, myself 2nd person singular: thou, thee, thy, thyself 3rd person singular masculine or unknown animate: he, him, his, himself 3rd person singular feminine: she, her, her, herself 3rd person singular neuter/inanimate: it, it, its, itself 1st person plural: we, us, our, ourselves 2nd person singular or plural: you, you, your, yourself (became the default singular) 3rd person plural: they, them, themselves 1st person plural (royal): ourself 2nd person (royal): yourself 3rd person (royal): themselves (occurred in the dictionary, used in writing by nobles)In Early Modern English, the plural pronouns “we,” “you,” and “they” were used for important people to convey a sense of formality or royalty. For instance:
“We just meaning ‘I’ are most displeased.”
“We witnessed ourself singular at Southampton this thirteenth day of October.”
The reflexives for these pronouns were distinct:
“ourself, yourself, and themself”
3.2 The Shift Towards Modern English
The singular “thou” and “thee” eventually dropped out of usage in the 17th century, and “you” became a general replacement for both singular and plural. The use of “ourself” for the royal-we also narrowed in usage and became less common as the English government and military saw an increase in non-royal prominence.
Similarly, “themself” fell out of usage for centuries, only to be revived in the 19th and 20th centuries as a more accepted reflexive pronoun for subjects or objects of unknown gender.
3.3 Modern Usage
Today, the pronoun system is simplified, with fewer formal distinctions:
1st person singular: I, me, my, myself 2nd person singular: you, you, your, yourself 3rd person singular masculine: he, him, his, himself 3rd person singular feminine: she, her, her, herself 3rd person singular neuter/inanimate: it, it, its, itself 1st person plural: we, us, our, ourselves 3rd person plural: they, them, themselvesWith the advent of gender-neutral language, "they" is now often used as a singular pronoun for unspecified gender. In such cases, “themself” can be a useful addition to the language.
4. Conclusion
The usage of reflexive pronouns, such as “themselves” and the emerging “themself,” is an ever-evolving aspect of the English language. Understanding and correctly using these pronouns can enhance clarity and precision in communication. As language continues to adapt to societal changes and new linguistic needs, terms like “themself” may become more widely accepted and used.