Him vs. Himself: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on December 21, 2024
"Him" is a pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned, while "himself" is a reflexive pronoun used for emphasis or to indicate that the male person or animal is performing an action on or for themselves.
Key Differences
"Him" is an object pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned in a sentence. "Himself" is a reflexive pronoun used to indicate that the male person or animal is performing an action on or for themselves.
In the sentence "I saw him at the store," "him" is used as the object of the verb "saw." In the sentence "He injured himself while playing," "himself" is used to show that the action of injuring was performed by the subject on himself.
"Him" is used when the male person or animal is the recipient of an action, as in "She gave him a gift." "Himself" is used for emphasis or to indicate self-action, as in "He himself completed the project."
"Him" cannot be used as the subject of a sentence, while "himself" can be used to emphasize the subject, as in "He himself made the decision."
Both "him" and "himself" are used to refer to a male person or animal, but "him" is used as an object pronoun, and "himself" is used as a reflexive pronoun for emphasis or self-action.
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Comparison Chart
Pronoun Type
Object pronoun
Reflexive pronoun
Function
Refers to a male as an object
Indicates self-action or emphasizes the subject
Example Usage
"I saw him yesterday."
"He did it himself."
Position in Sentence
Follows a verb or preposition
Follows a verb to indicate self-action
Emphasis
No emphasis on the subject
Can be used to emphasize the subject
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Him and Himself Definitions
Him
Refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned in a sentence.
I saw him at the party.
Himself
Used to emphasize the identity of a male subject.
The king himself attended the ceremony.
Him
Used in sentences where the male is not performing the action.
They invited him to the meeting.
Himself
Refers to a male performing an action that affects him directly.
He made himself a cup of coffee.
Him
Indicates a male person or animal as the indirect object of an action.
She sent him a message.
Himself
A reflexive pronoun used when a male person or animal performs an action on or for themselves.
He cooked himself dinner.
Him
A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal as the object of a verb or preposition.
She spoke to him about the project.
Himself
Used for emphasis to indicate that the male subject is doing something independently.
He himself fixed the car.
Him
Used to indicate the male recipient of an action.
The teacher gave him a book.
Himself
Indicates self-action or self-involvement by a male.
He hurt himself while playing.
FAQs
When should I use "him" in a sentence?
Use "him" when referring to a male person or animal as the object of a verb or preposition.
Is "him" ever used as a subject pronoun?
No, "him" is not used as a subject pronoun; it is always used as an object pronoun.
How does the usage of "him" and "himself" differ in a sentence?
"Him" is used as an object pronoun, while "himself" is used for self-action or to emphasize the subject.
When is "himself" used in a sentence?
"Himself" is used when a male person or animal is performing an action on or for themselves, or for emphasis.
Can "himself" be used to emphasize the subject in a sentence?
Yes, "himself" can be used to emphasize the subject, as in "He himself made the decision."
Can "himself" be used as an object pronoun?
No, "himself" is not used as an object pronoun; it is a reflexive pronoun used for self-action or emphasis.
How can I decide whether to use "him" or "himself" in a sentence?
Use "him" as an object pronoun and "himself" when referring to self-action or for emphasis.
What is the difference between "him" and "himself"?
"Him" is an object pronoun, while "himself" is a reflexive pronoun used for emphasis or self-action.
Can "himself" be replaced with "him" in a sentence?
No, "himself" cannot be replaced with "him" as they serve different grammatical purposes.
Is it correct to say "He did it him"?
No, the correct sentence would be "He did it himself," using "himself" for self-action.
Can "him" be used to refer to animals?
Yes, "him" can be used to refer to male animals as the object of a verb or preposition.
Is "himself" ever used in passive sentences?
No, "himself" is not typically used in passive sentences; it is used in active sentences for self-action or emphasis.
Can "him" be used for emphasis?
No, "him" is not used for emphasis; "himself" is the pronoun used for emphasizing the subject.
Can "himself" be used in a sentence without a verb?
No, "himself" is typically used in a sentence with a verb to indicate self-action or emphasis.
What is an example of "him" used as an indirect object?
An example is "She sent him a message," where "him" is the indirect object receiving the message.
How does "himself" function in a sentence like "He made himself a sandwich"?
In this sentence, "himself" indicates that the subject "He" performed the action for his own benefit.
What is an example of "himself" used for emphasis?
An example is "The president himself attended the meeting," where "himself" emphasizes the importance of the subject "president."
Is it grammatically correct to use "him" after a preposition?
Yes, it is correct to use "him" after a preposition, as in "She sat next to him."
How does the use of "himself" affect the meaning of a sentence?
The use of "himself" can add emphasis to the subject or indicate that the action is performed by the subject on themselves.
Is it possible to use "him" and "himself" interchangeably?
No, "him" and "himself" are not interchangeable as they serve different grammatical functions.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
