Related Pages
Me or Myself? (Grammar Lesson)
The Quick Answer
You can only use the word "myself" if you've used the word "I" in your sentence. For example:- I pricked myself with a pin.
- I saw it myself.
- Please contact myself if you have any questions.


Me or Myself?
The word "myself" is a pronoun. It can be either an emphatic pronoun or reflexive pronoun. If you're new to these terms, don't worry. They're easier to understand than you might think. For example:- I did it myself.
- I saw myself in the mirror.
- He raised the issue with myself.
- Please send any complaints to your line manager or myself.
Emphatic and Reflexive Pronouns
"Myself," "yourself," "herself," "himself," "itself," "ourselves," "yourselves," and "themselves" are all pronouns. They can be either emphatic pronouns or reflexive pronouns.Emphatic Pronouns
When used for emphasis, they are called emphatic pronouns.- She will do it herself.
- I heard the lie myself.
- The cat opened the door itself.
- "SHE" will do it.
- "I" heard the lie.
- "THE CAT" opened the door.
Reflexive Pronouns
In most sentences, somebody does something to someone else. For example:- I like him.
- He spoke to her.
- She thumped him.
- The dog bit her. (Note: It's not always about people.)
- I like myself.
- He spoke to himself.
- She thumped herself.
- The dog bit itself.
- I often quote myself. It adds spice to my conversation.
- I cannot bring myself to do it.
Why Should I Care about Emphatic and Reflexive Pronouns?
Here is a common mistake related to "me" and "myself."Don't Use "Myself" to Be Polite or Formal
A common mistake is using a reflexive pronoun when the subject of the verb is not doing something to itself. For example:- I did it to myself.
- He did it to myself.
- He did it to himself.
- He insulted the doctor and I.
- He insulted the doctor and me.
- He insulted the doctor and myself.
- Please pass any comments to the director or myself.
- Please pass any comments to the director or me.
- Please pass any comments to me or the director.
Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?