Its Self or Itself? Understanding the Correct Usage

Ever paused mid-email and wondered whether “Its Self or Itself” is the correct choice? You’re not alone. Tiny grammar choices can feel surprisingly high-stakes when you’re handling business communication, drafting formal updates, or preparing meeting notes. In a world packed with project management, scheduling, calendar invites, and even automated online booking tools, clean and consistent English usage matters. It boosts clarity, saves time, and helps you maintain a professional tone across messages, especially in broadcasting announcements or time management workflows.

In this guide, you’ll learn the clear difference between these forms, why one is standard in both US and UK style guides, and when it fits best in formal writing. We’ll simplify the rule, share real examples, and give you practical tips so your grammar feels polished and natural. Get ready to build confidence, avoid common slip-ups, and write with effortless consistency every time this reflexive pronoun shows up in your documents or conversations.

Quick Answer: “Its Self” vs. “Itself”

Before digging deeper, here’s the fast version:

Phrase	Correct Use	Meaning	Example
itself	✅ Standard English	Reflexive pronoun used when “it” refers back to the subject	The machine repaired itself.
its self	⚠️ Rare, formal or philosophical only	“Self” functions as a separate noun meaning identity or essence	The AI began to recognize its self as conscious.

99% of the time, the correct choice is “itself.”

If you’re writing everyday text, use itself without hesitation.
Its self only shows up in philosophical or poetic language where self is treated as a separate concept.

What “Itself” Means (and Why It Matters)

Definition

Itself is a reflexive pronoun. It points back to the word it in the same sentence.

When to Use “Itself”

• The subject and object are the same thing
• To emphasize a point
• To show that something acts alone or independently

Examples

The dog saw itself in the mirror.
The system updates itself overnight.
The chair was handmade by the craftsman himself, and the table by itself emerged as a work of art.

In each case, itself connects an action back to the original noun.

What “Its Self” Means (the Rare Case)

Definition

Its self is only used when self is treated as a separate noun — meaning identity, soul, or awareness.

Think of it like writing its identity or its inner being.

When “Its Self” Might Appear

• Spiritual writing
• Philosophical essays
• Psychological descriptions
• Science fiction about consciousness or AI

Examples

The meditation practice helps the mind meet its self.
In the novel, the robot discovers its self beyond programming.

If “self” stands alone as a concept, “its self” can work.
Otherwise, stick with itself.

Grammar Rule Breakdown

Why “Itself” Is Standard

Every reflexive pronoun in English follows the same pattern:

Pronoun	Reflexive Form
I	myself
you	yourself
he	himself
she	herself
it	itself
we	ourselves
they	themselves

Consistency in English grammar makes itself the natural reflexive form.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Clear Usage Table: “Itself” vs. “Its Self”

Feature	Itself	Its Self
Frequency	Common	Very Rare
Category	Reflexive pronoun	Pronoun + noun
Tone	Neutral, everyday English	Poetic, philosophical
Meaning	Refers to “it”	Refers to the concept of “self”
Example	Nature heals itself.	The mind discovered its self.

Real-World Examples

Here’s how each appears in everyday writing.

Business Writing

• The company reinvented itself after the recession.
• The software can troubleshoot itself without human input.

Technology & AI

• The AI taught itself to recognize emotions.
• Researchers debate whether a machine can ever truly know its self.

Psychology

• The child struggles to separate its self from others when very young. (rare, academic)
• Identity develops when the brain recognizes itself as distinct. (standard)

Literature

“The soul seeking its self wanders until truth is found.”
This sentence treats self as a deep inner essence — thus the separation.

Case Studies

Case Study 1: Corporate Branding

A global brand rolls out a new logo and tagline.

Wrong: The brand reinvented its self for a modern audience.
Correct: The brand reinvented itself for a modern audience.

Marketing writing calls for modern clarity. Use itself.

Case Study 2: AI Consciousness Study

A research paper on machine cognition.

“The neural system demonstrated awareness of its self as an agent.”

Here, self refers to identity. Correct use.

“Its” vs. “It’s” vs. “Itself”

People often confuse its, it’s, and itself, so here’s a quick refresher.

Word	Meaning	Example
its	Possessive form of it	The robot improved its speech.
it’s	It is / It has	It’s learning fast.
itself	Reflexive pronoun	It adapted itself quickly.
its self	Rare philosophical use	It awakened to its self.

Tip: if you can replace it with it is, use it’s.

What Style Guides Say

To double-check, here’s what reputable sources teach:

• Merriam-Webster: “Itself — the reflexive form of it.”
  
• Oxford English Dictionary: Uses “itself” for standard grammar
  
• Chicago Manual of Style: Reflexive pronouns follow standard form
  

None recommend “its self” except in literary analysis or philosophical discussion.

Memory Tricks

1. Replace It

If you can replace the phrase with himself or herself, use itself.

The toy moved itself. ✅
(His self? Her self? No — reflexive form needed.)

2. Self = Identity Trick

If “self” means identity, then “its self” might belong.

The soul spoke to its inner self → its self

3. The Space Rule

Everyday use? No space.
Deep spiritual sentence? Maybe a space.

Practice Quiz

Choose the correct form.

The lizard warmed ___ on the rock.
✅ itself

The meditation practice helps the mind meet ___.
✅ its self (rare philosophical context)

The printer fixed ___ after rebooting.
✅ itself

The story explores a machine discovering ___ identity.
✅ its self (identity reference)

Answers reinforce the rule: reflexive = itself, identity = its self.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Thinking “its self” looks more formal

It doesn’t. It looks incorrect unless you’re in a niche academic field.

Mistake 2: Confusing with other reflexive pronouns

Some assume all reflexives have a space.
Not true — none do.

Mistake 3: Mixing up with “it’s”

It’s humble in its design but smart in itself.

Read More: When I Can or When Can I? Understanding the Correct Usage

Helpful Examples in Sentences

Everyday English

• The bike balances itself.
• Nature restores itself beautifully.

Technology

• The algorithm rewrote itself overnight.
• Engineers debated whether the AI knew its self.

Philosophy

“Truth reveals its self to those who seek with an honest heart.”

Rare but valid in literary tone.

Advanced Note: Self as a Noun

Psychology defines self as:

“An individual’s essential identity, awareness, and consciousness.”

In that field, its self occasionally appears, particularly in Jungian and developmental writing.

Even then, most modern scholars still choose itself for clarity.

Why the Confusion Exists

A few reasons trip writers up:

• English reflexive rules aren’t always intuitive
• “Self-help” language popularized the noun self
• Misreading other reflexive pronouns leads to overcorrection
• Old literature sometimes uses the two-word version

Shakespeare and Emerson occasionally separated “self,” which sparks debate.

“Man can never truly escape his self.”

Modern English, however, simplifies: itself wins.

Writer’s Tip

Unless you’re writing:

• Spiritual text
• A psychology thesis
• Literary or poetic prose
• Sci-fi exploring machine consciousness

Use itself every time.

Clear writing wins.

Final Summary

Here’s the essence:

• Itself = correct reflexive pronoun
• Its self = only when “self” means identity and stands alone
• Business, academic, everyday writing → itself
• Poetry and philosophy → maybe its self

Key Takeaways

• Reflexives don’t take spaces
• “Self” as identity = rare exception
• Clarity always beats cleverness

When in doubt, choose “itself.”

FAQ

1. Is “its self” ever grammatically correct?

No. “Its self” is not considered correct in modern English. The proper reflexive pronoun is “itself” in all formal and informal writing.

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

The confusion usually comes from breaking the word into its + self, thinking it mirrors forms like “her self.” However, reflexive pronouns in English combine into one word, so “itself” is the standard form.

3. Does British or American English prefer “itself”?

Both US and UK English style guides agree on “itself.” There’s no regional variation here, unlike other spelling differences.

4. Can “its own self” ever replace “itself”?

You may see “its own self” for emphasis or poetic tone, but it’s rare and not recommended in professional or business communication. Stick with “itself” for clarity and consistency.

5. How can I remember the correct form?

Think of reflexive pronouns as single-unit words: himself, herself, themselves, itself. If you wouldn’t write “him self,” you shouldn’t write “its self” either.

Closing Thought

English evolves but clarity never goes out of style. Once you understand why each version exists, the choice becomes effortless.

Use “itself” almost always. Reserve “its self” for moments of deep meaning.

If you’d like, the next step can be:

• Printable cheat-sheet
• Grammar practice worksheet
• Short video script explaining this topic

Final Thoughts

Choosing between “its self” and “itself” may seem minor, yet this small distinction shapes clarity and professionalism in your writing. The correct and universally accepted form is “itself”, especially in formal writing, emails, and business settings where precision reinforces credibility. When you communicate clearly, you build trust, keep meetings and project management tasks running smoothly, and maintain consistency in everything from broadcasting messages to scheduling updates.

With this rule in your toolbox, you can write confidently—whether you’re drafting polished reports, refining business communication, or simply sending a quick calendar note. The more you apply correct reflexive pronouns, the more natural they feel. Keep practicing, stay mindful of English grammar nuances, and your language skills will continue to sharpen over time.