You are writing an email. You want to say that people did something on their own. Then you stop. Is it themselves or theirselves? Both look right. Both sound right. But only one is correct.
Millions of people type this question into Google. They hear “theirselves” in songs, on the street, and in movies. Then they see “themselves” in books and news. So they doubt their own spelling.
This guide ends the confusion. You will get a quick answer first. Then you will learn where each word came from. You will see how British and American English handle it. You will also see common mistakes, real examples, and answers to common questions.
By the end, you will know exactly which word to use. You will also know why the other one exists. No grammar degree needed. The rules are simple. Whether you write blogs, school papers, or work emails, this guide is for you. Let us start.
Themselves or Theirselves – Quick Answer
Use “themselves.” It is the standard, correct word.
“Theirselves” is not standard English. You may hear it in speech. But you should not write it in school, work, or news.
Here are some examples:
- ✅ The kids dressed themselves.
- ❌ The kids dressed theirselves.
- ✅ They taught themselves to swim.
- ❌ They taught theirselves to swim.
- ✅ The workers hurt themselves on the job.
- ❌ The workers hurt theirselves on the job.
Simple rule: write “themselves” every time.
The Origin of Themselves or Theirselves
Let us break the word into two parts: them and selves.
“Self” is very old. It comes from Old English. It meant “one’s own person.” The plural is “selves.”
“Them” came later. Old English used “hem” or “heom” for “them.” Around the 1200s, English borrowed “them” from Old Norse, the language of the Vikings. Over time, “them” took over.
Putting them together. People began joining “them” and “selves” to make “themselves.” By the 1500s, writers used it widely. It became the standard form.
So why does “theirselves” exist? Look at the other reflexive words:
- myself
- yourself
- ourselves
- himself
- themselves
The first three use words that show ownership: my, your, our. The last two use “him” and “them.” That is the odd part.
Many speakers saw the pattern. They thought, “If it is myself and ourselves, then it should be theirselves.” It feels logical. So people began saying “theirselves.” The same thing happened with “hisself.”
“Theirselves” has been used for hundreds of years. It lives on in many local dialects. But it never became standard. Dictionaries list it as nonstandard or dialect.
British English vs American English Spelling
Here is the good news. There is no difference. Both British and American English use “themselves.” Both reject “theirselves” in formal writing.
Many words do change between the US and the UK. This one does not.
| Word | American English | British English |
| Reflexive form of “they” | themselves | themselves |
| “Theirselves” accepted? | No | No |
| Color | color | colour |
| Organize | organize | organise |
| Center | center | centre |
| Traveling | traveling | travelling |
So if you ask, “Is it a US or UK thing?”, the answer is no. The choice is not about location. It is about standard versus nonstandard English.
“Theirselves” shows up more in certain dialects. Examples include Northern England, Scotland, and parts of the American South. But even there, writers use “themselves” in formal text.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
The answer is the same for all readers. Still, here is a clear guide by audience.
For a US audience: Use “themselves.” American style guides and dictionaries do not accept “theirselves.”
For a UK or Commonwealth audience: Use “themselves.” British editors will also correct “theirselves.”
For a global audience: Use “themselves.” Readers worldwide expect the standard form. It looks professional everywhere.
For school, work, and business writing: Use “themselves.” Teachers, bosses, and clients will notice the error.
For fiction and dialogue: You may use “theirselves” on purpose. It can show how a character talks. But only do this when you want to show a certain voice.
Quick tip: If you are unsure, pick “themselves.” It is never wrong.
Common Mistakes with Themselves or Theirselves
Here are the errors people make most often.
Mistake 1: Using “theirselves” in formal writing
- ❌ The team proud of theirselves.
- ✅ The team was proud of themselves.
Mistake 2: Writing “hisself” or “theirself”
- ❌ He hurt hisself.
- ✅ He hurt himself.
- ❌ Each student did it theirself.
- ✅ Each student did it themselves.
For example mistake 3: Splitting the word
- ❌ They blamed them selves.
- ✅ They blamed themselves.
Mistake 5: Using “themselves” when no group is meant
- ❌ The cat cleaned themselves.
- ✅ The cat cleaned itself.
Mistake 6: Using “theirselves” because “their” feels right
- Remember, the word follows “them,” not “their.”
Themselves or Theirselves in Everyday Examples
Here is how “themselves” looks in real life.
In emails
- “Please ask the clients to introduce themselves at the start.”
- “The new hires can sign up themselves on the portal.”
In news writing
- “Residents found themselves without power for two days.”
- “The players blamed themselves after the loss.”
On social media
- “People need to stop doing this to themselves.”
- “Kids these days teach themselves everything online.”
In formal writing
- “The committee members recused themselves from the vote.”
- “Students must prepare themselves for the exam.”
In dialogue (where “theirselves” may appear)
- “They did it all by theirselves,” she said with a laugh.
Themselves or Theirselves – Google Trends & Usage Data
I can’t pull live search numbers here, so I won’t make any up. Here is what the usual pattern looks like, and how you can check it yourself.
“Themselves” is far more common. It appears in books, news, and daily writing. Writers use it in nearly all formal text.
“Theirselves” gets searched as a question. People type it because they hear it. Then they want to know if it is real. Searches often come in the form “is theirselves a word?”
Where people search. Interest tends to come from English-speaking countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Ireland. It also appears in countries where people learn English as a second language. Learners often wonder about patterns like “myself, ourselves, theirselves.”
Context matters. You see “theirselves” mostly in:
- Speech and song lyrics
- Social media posts
- Casual messages
- Dialect writing
You rarely see it in news, books, or academic work.
How to check the data yourself:
- Go to Google Trends.
- Type “themselves” and “theirselves.”
- Compare the two over five years.
- Filter by country or region.
You will likely see “themselves” far ahead.
Keyword Variations Side by Side
| Word | Standard? | Use It? | Example |
| themselves | Yes | Yes, always | They helped themselves. |
| theirselves | No | Only in dialogue | They did it theirselves. |
| themself | Debated | Rarely, for one person | Each person must decide for themself. |
| theirself | No | No | Not recommended. |
| hisself | No | No | He did it hisself. |
| them selves | No | No | They hurt them selves. |
FAQs
1. Is “theirselves” a real word?
Yes, it is real in the sense that people say and write it. But it is nonstandard. Dictionaries mark it as dialect, and you should not use it in formal writing.
2. Is “themselves” correct in both American and British English?
Yes. Both use “themselves” as the standard form. There is no spelling split.
3. Why do people say “theirselves”?
They follow a pattern. Words like “myself” and “ourselves” start with a word that shows ownership. So “theirselves” feels natural. But English did not follow that pattern for “them.”
4. Can I use “theirselves” in a story?
Yes, in dialogue. It can show how a character talks. Avoid it in your narration unless the voice calls for it.
5. What is the difference between “themselves” and “themself”?
“Themselves” refers to more than one person. “Themself” is a newer form some writers use for one person who goes by “they.” Many style guides still prefer “themselves” in most cases.
6. Is “theirselves” wrong in an email?
Yes, in most emails. It can look careless. Use “themselves” to stay clear and professional.
7. Is “hisself” also wrong?
Yes. The correct word is “himself.” It follows the same pattern as “themselves.”
8. Does “theirselves” mean the same thing as “themselves”?
Yes. The meaning is the same. Only the standing in standard English is different.
Conclusion
So, which is it: themselves or theirselves? The answer is clear. Use “themselves.”It is the standard form and is correct in both American and British English. You can use it in any formal setting.
“Theirselves” is not a standard word. You will hear it in some dialects. It has a long history. But dictionaries and style guides do not accept it. Teachers will mark it wrong. Editors will cut it. Employers may notice it.
Remember the key points. “Themselves” works for any group of people or things. There is no spelling split between the US and the UK. Use “theirselves” only when you quote someone, or when you write dialogue on purpose. Check your work for related errors like “hisself” and “theirself.”
Also remember that “themself” is a separate choice. Some writers use it for one person who goes by “they.” But “themselves” is still the safer pick.
When in doubt, use “themselves.” You will never be wrong. Bookmark this guide and share it with a friend who keeps asking.
David Wilson is a writer and contributor at Nexlatic.com, where he writes about useful topics, everyday questions, and practical ideas. He enjoys turning information into simple, clear, and easy-to-read articles that readers can actually use. Through his work at Nexlatic, David aims to share helpful content that answers common questions, explains confusing topics, and gives readers something useful to take away from every article.
