Choosing between “its self” and “itself” can seem like a tiny grammar issue, but it is one that often causes unnecessary confusion. The correct form in standard English is usually “itself,” written as one word. The form “its self” is possible in very specific contexts, but it has a different grammatical function and meaning.
Understanding itself vs. its self becomes much easier once you know what its is doing in a sentence. In most cases, itself is a reflexive or emphatic pronoun that refers back to a thing or animal already mentioned. By contrast, its self uses its as a possessive determiner before the noun self.
Here’s the key idea:
If you mean the reflexive pronoun referring to it, use itself. If you genuinely mean the self belonging to it, the two-word construction its self can be grammatically possible, although it is uncommon and usually carries a specialized meaning.
The Core Rule Explained Simply
The simplest rule is this: “itself” is normally one word.
It is the standard reflexive pronoun corresponding to it. Just as we say myself, yourself, himself, herself, ourselves, and themselves, we say itself.
For example:
- The machine shut itself down.
- The company defended itself against the criticism.
- The dog scratched itself.
- The door opened by itself.
- The software can update itself automatically.
In each sentence, itself refers back to a previously mentioned thing, animal, organization, or other entity represented by it.
The two-word form its self is not the ordinary spelling of the reflexive pronoun. Writing “The machine shut itself down” is incorrect because the sentence needs the reflexive pronoun itself.
Itself, One Word
Itself is a reflexive pronoun.
It can refer back to a singular nonhuman noun or the pronoun it. It can also be used for emphasis.
Examples:
- The computer restarted itself.
- The bird cleaned itself.
- The organization changed itself.
- The answer itself was surprisingly simple.
Notice that itself does not need another noun after it.
Its Self, Two Words
Its self contains two separate grammatical elements.
Here, its is a possessive word, and self is a noun. The phrase can therefore mean something like “the self belonging to it” or “its own essential identity.”
For example:
- The philosophical discussion focused on the machine’s self, rather than its physical body.
- The system gradually developed a concept of its self.
This construction is unusual in ordinary English. In everyday writing, speakers almost always mean itself, not its self.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Situation | Example | Meaning | Correct Usage |
| Reflexive action | The cat washed itself. | The cat washed its own body. | Itself |
| Emphasis | The device itself caused the problem. | The device, specifically, caused it. | Itself |
| Independent action | The door closed by itself. | The door closed without outside help. | Itself |
| Possessive noun phrase | The debate concerned its self. | The self or identity belonging to it. | Its self, only when the meaning truly requires it |
The table reveals the main distinction. Itself is a single pronoun, while its self is a possessive construction involving the noun self.
In normal grammar questions, editing tasks, academic writing, and SEO content, itself will almost always be the form you need.
Deep Dive into Category 1: When to Use “Itself”
Use “Itself” for Reflexive Actions
The most common use of itself is reflexive.
A reflexive pronoun is used when the subject and the object refer to the same entity. If a machine repairs the machine, the sentence can say:
The machine repaired itself.
The machine is the subject. Itself refers back to that same machine.
More examples make the pattern obvious:
- The computer restarted itself.
- The company reorganized itself.
- The animal protected itself.
- The camera adjusted itself automatically.
- The plant supports itself through photosynthesis.
In every case, the action comes back to the subject.
Use “Itself” for Emphasis
Itself can also emphasize a noun.
Consider:
The proposal itself was not the problem.
Here, itself does not mean that the proposal acted on itself. Instead, it emphasizes the proposal specifically.
Compare these:
The company changed itself.
This is reflexive.
The company itself announced the change.
This is emphatic.
The grammatical function changes, but the spelling remains itself.
Use “Itself” After Certain Prepositions
You may also see itself after a preposition.
Examples include:
- The problem solved itself.
- The door opened by itself.
- The system operates by itself.
- The situation speaks for itself.
- The answer is obvious in itself.
The important point is that these expressions still use the single-word pronoun itself.
Use “Itself” for Animals and Things
English commonly uses itself when referring to a nonhuman singular entity.
Examples:
- The horse injured itself.
- The company presented itself as a leader.
- The computer disconnected itself.
- The building seemed to repair itself after the storm.
For people, English normally uses himself or herself, depending on the referent, although modern English also commonly uses themselves for a singular person when appropriate.
Quick Test for “Itself”
Use this simple checklist:
Ask yourself:
- Does itself refer back to a singular thing, animal, organization, or entity?
- Is the sentence describing an action involving that same entity?
- Could you replace the word with it while keeping the reference clear?
- Are you using it for emphasis, as in “the machine itself”?
- Does the sentence sound like a normal reflexive construction?
If the answer is yes, itself is almost certainly correct.
Try this:
The robot repaired ___.
The robot repaired the robot.
Therefore:
The robot repaired itself.
Not:
The robot repaired its self.
That distinction solves most usage questions immediately.
Deep Dive into Category 2: When “Its Self” Can Appear
“Its Self” Treats “Self” as a Noun
The phrase its self is grammatically different because self functions as a noun.
The possessive word its modifies that noun.
Think of the structure this way:
its + noun
For example:
- its body
- its identity
- its appearance
- its purpose
- its self
The last example is grammatically possible because self can function as a noun meaning an individual’s or entity’s identity, nature, or inner being.
However, that does not make its self interchangeable with itself.
“Its Self” Is Rare in Ordinary Writing
This is where many learners become confused.
Because self can be a noun, they may assume that the reflexive pronoun should always be written as its self. English does not work that way.
Itself is a fixed reflexive pronoun.
You do not normally build it by writing its + self. It is an established single word.
Compare:
- itself, correct reflexive pronoun
- its self, a possessive phrase with the noun self
The difference is small visually but significant grammatically.
Examples of Specialized Usage
You may encounter its self in philosophical, literary, psychological, or highly abstract writing.
For example:
The theory examines the system and its self as separate concepts.
Here, self is being treated as an abstract noun.
Another example:
The artificial entity began to question its self and its place in the world.
This could appear in philosophical or creative writing where self represents identity or consciousness.
In such cases, the writer deliberately wants the noun self, rather than the ordinary reflexive pronoun itself.
Watch the Meaning, Not Just the Spelling
The safest approach is to ask what you actually mean.
If you mean “the thing performed an action on the same thing,” choose itself.
If you mean “the self or identity belonging to that thing,” its self may be appropriate.
That second meaning is much less common.
The Meaning Shift, or Nuance
The difference between itself and its self is primarily grammatical, but it can also create a meaningful shift.
Consider:
The organization defended itself.
This means the organization defended the organization.
Now consider:
The organization examined itself.
This suggests that the organization examined its own identity, nature, or concept of self.
The second sentence is more abstract.
Here’s another comparison:
The AI improved itself.
The AI made improvements to its own operation.
The AI analyzed itself.
This could mean that the AI analyzed its own identity or concept of consciousness.
The distinction becomes particularly important in philosophical, literary, psychological, and artificial-intelligence discussions, where “self” may be a specific concept rather than a reflexive pronoun.
Why the Confusion Persists
The confusion largely comes from the relationship between its and itself.
Learners often see:
- my + self = myself
- your + self = yourself
- him + self = himself
- her + self = herself
Then they naturally assume:
- its + self = itself
That assumption seems logical, but English has developed fixed pronoun forms that do not always behave like simple word combinations.
The spelling itself has become the standard form of the reflexive pronoun.
Another source of confusion is pronunciation. In normal speech, itself sounds like a single unit, making it easy to overlook its spelling.
Search engines can also expose writers to unusual phrases. Seeing “its self” in philosophical or literary writing may make someone believe it is simply an alternative spelling of itself.
It is not.
Formal vs Casual Contexts
In formal writing, precision matters more because readers expect standard grammatical forms.
Academic papers, business reports, professional websites, educational resources, and edited publications should use itself whenever the reflexive pronoun is intended.
For example:
The organization presented itself as an independent research institution.
That is clear and standard.
In casual writing, people may experiment with language, especially when discussing identity, consciousness, or abstract concepts. A writer could intentionally use its self to create a philosophical distinction.
Still, unusual does not automatically mean wrong.
The question is whether self is genuinely functioning as a noun.
For most learners, the practical rule is straightforward: write itself unless you have a specific reason to treat self as a separate noun.
Case Studies and Pop Culture Examples
Everyday Technology
Technology provides many natural examples of itself.
Consider:
The phone restarted itself.
The phone performed an action affecting the phone. The reflexive pronoun is therefore appropriate.
Similarly:
The application updated itself overnight.
The application did not update some separate “self.” It acted automatically, so itself is the correct form.
Business and Organizations
Organizations are frequently treated as singular entities.
For example:
The company introduced itself to a new market.
The company is presenting itself.
Another example:
The brand positioned itself as a premium alternative.
Again, itself is reflexive.
Literature and Philosophy
Literature sometimes uses self as an independent abstract noun.
A philosophical discussion might explore:
the relationship between the machine and its self
Here, the writer could be distinguishing the machine’s physical existence from its conceptual identity.
This is fundamentally different from:
The machine repaired itself.
The first discusses self as a concept. The second describes a reflexive action.
Artificial Intelligence
Modern discussions of artificial intelligence sometimes raise questions about consciousness and identity.
A sentence such as:
The fictional AI questioned itself.
could intentionally treat “self” as a concept.
But:
The AI corrected itself after detecting an error.
uses the standard reflexive pronoun.
The surrounding meaning tells you which construction is intended.
Advanced Scenarios and Flowchart
When you’re uncertain, follow this decision path.
Start with the sentence.
↓
Does the word refer back to it?
↓
Yes
↓
Is it a normal reflexive or emphatic use?
↓
Yes → Use “itself.”
↓
Example: The machine repaired itself.
If the answer is no, ask another question:
↓
Is self being used as a separate noun meaning identity, inner nature, or consciousness?
↓
Yes → “its self” may be appropriate.
↓
Example: The discussion focused on the robot’s concept of itself.
If you are still unsure:
↓
Can you replace the phrase with it or itself without changing the intended meaning?
↓
Yes → Use “itself.”
This flowchart works because it focuses on grammatical function, rather than visual similarity.
Quick Reference Table
| Form | Function | Example |
| itself | Reflexive pronoun | The system fixed itself. |
| itself | Emphasis | The system itself caused the error. |
| itself | Idiomatic/prepositional use | The problem solved itself. |
| its self | Possessive + noun | The theory examines its self as an abstract concept. |
For everyday grammar, itself is overwhelmingly the form you should choose.
The two-word construction should be used only when self is intentionally functioning as a separate noun.
Common Mistakes That Lower Quality
Mistake 1: Writing “Its Self” as the Reflexive Pronoun
This is the most common error.
Incorrect:
The dog hurt its self.
Correct:
The dog hurt itself.
The action returns to the dog, so the reflexive pronoun is required.
Mistake 2: Treating “Itself” as Two Words
Writers sometimes insert a space because they think the word is constructed from its + self.
Standard English does not use that spelling for the reflexive pronoun.
Always write:
itself
Not:
its self
when you mean the reflexive pronoun.
Mistake 3: Assuming “Its” Always Needs a Noun
The word its is normally possessive.
Examples:
- The company changed its policy.
- The dog wagged its tail.
- The computer lost its connection.
But itself is a pronoun with a different grammatical role.
Therefore, do not confuse:
its
with:
itself
Mistake 4: Overusing “Itself”
There is another problem, especially in polished writing.
Some writers use itself for emphasis when the sentence does not need it.
For example:
The report itself itself contains several errors.
That is obviously repetitive.
Even without repetition, unnecessary emphasis can make prose heavier:
The simple answer itself is itself obvious.
Strong editing removes unnecessary reflexive words.
Mistake 5: Confusing “Itself” With “Its”
Consider:
The company changed its strategy.
This means the strategy belongs to the company.
Now:
The company changed itself.
This means the company changed its own structure or nature.
The two words have different functions.
Memory Hacks That Actually Work
Think “One Action, One Word”
If something does something to itself, remember:
it + self → itself
Example:
The machine repaired itself.
Treat itself as one complete vocabulary item.
Use the “Myself Test”
Compare these:
- I hurt myself.
- She hurt herself.
- He hurt himself.
- The dog hurt itself.
You would never normally write my self when you mean the reflexive pronoun. The same principle applies to itself.
Remember “Its” Needs a Possessive Idea
If its means something belongs to a thing, it normally comes before a noun.
Examples:
The company changed its policy.
The bird opened its wings.
But if you need the reflexive pronoun, use:
The bird cleaned itself.
A useful mental contrast is:
its = belonging to it
itself = it, reflexively
Ask “Identity or Action?”
This is one of the strongest memory tricks.
If you’re describing an action, choose itself.
The robot repaired itself.
If you’re discussing identity or selfhood, its self may be possible.
The story explores the robot’s idea of its self.
That simple distinction handles most situations.
Why Precision Matters, SEO and Authority
Grammar accuracy matters because readers often judge the quality of a website through small details.
A grammar website that repeatedly confuses itself with its self can lose credibility quickly. Readers expect educational content to demonstrate the rules it teaches.
This matters for SEO content, too. Search engines aim to surface useful, trustworthy information, while readers reward pages that are clear, accurate, and easy to understand. Correct grammar alone does not guarantee rankings, but poor grammar can weaken the perceived quality of a page.
Precision also improves readability.
When a sentence uses the correct form, readers can understand the intended meaning without stopping to interpret the construction. That creates smoother reading, stronger authority, and a more professional impression.
For educational content, these details are especially important. A reader searching “its self or itself” is looking for a clear answer, not another confusing explanation.
The strongest answer should therefore lead with the practical rule:
Use “itself” when you need the reflexive pronoun. Use “its self” only when “self” is deliberately being used as a separate noun.
A Quick Quiz
Fill in each blank with itself or its self.
1. The computer restarted ______ after the update.
2. The organization introduced ______ as a new leader in the industry.
3. The philosophical essay examined the concept of the machine and ______.
4. The cat cleaned ______ after eating.
5. The application automatically repaired ______.
6. The fictional character began questioning ______ and its identity.
7. The company ______ was responsible for the announcement.
Answers
1. itself
The computer acted on its own system, so itself is the standard reflexive pronoun.
2. itself
The organization introduced the organization, making itself correct.
3. its self
Here, self is being treated as a separate abstract noun. The sentence discusses the machine’s concept or nature of self.
4. itself
The cat cleaned the cat, so the reflexive pronoun itself is required.
5. itself
The application repaired its own operation. The correct form is the single word itself.
6. its self
This sentence deliberately treats self as an abstract concept involving identity. In ordinary usage, however, the construction is uncommon and would often be rewritten for greater clarity.
7. itself
The word emphasizes the company specifically. This is an emphatic use of itself, not the possessive phrase its self.
Conclusion
The difference between “its self” and “itself” becomes much easier once you focus on grammatical function rather than spelling. In standard English, itself is the correct form when you need a reflexive or emphatic pronoun. You can use it when a thing, animal, organization, or other singular entity refers back to itself, as in “The machine repaired itself” or “The company itself announced the decision.” In these ordinary situations, itself must be written as one word. Writing “its self” simply because the word appears to contain “its” and “self” creates an unnecessary and usually incorrect space.
The two-word expression “its self” has a much narrower role. It can appear when self is intentionally being used as a separate noun, particularly when discussing identity, consciousness, inner nature, or an abstract sense of self. However, this construction is uncommon in everyday English and is often better rewritten for clarity. When you’re unsure, ask whether you mean an action performed by or involving the same thing, or whether you genuinely mean the self belonging to that thing. For normal grammar, editing, academic, business, and SEO writing, choose itself unless the context clearly requires the separate noun self.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “its self” grammatically correct?
“Its self” can be grammatically possible, but it is not the normal spelling of the reflexive pronoun. In most sentences, you should use itself as one word. The two-word form occurs when self functions as a separate noun, usually in specialized discussions about identity, consciousness, or inner nature. For everyday English, itself is overwhelmingly the correct choice.
Is “itself” one word or two words?
Itself is one word. It is a standard reflexive pronoun used to refer back to a singular nonhuman subject or entity represented by “it.” For example, “The dog hurt itself” and “The computer restarted itself” are correct. Do not insert a space when you mean the ordinary reflexive pronoun.
What is the difference between “its” and “itself”?
Its is a possessive word, while itself is a reflexive or emphatic pronoun. For example, “The company changed its policy” means the policy belongs to the company. “The company changed itself” means the company changed its own structure or nature. Understanding this difference prevents confusion between possession and reflexive action.
Is “the machine fixed its self” correct?
No, not if you mean that the machine fixed itself. The correct sentence is, “The machine fixed itself.” Here, itself is a reflexive pronoun because the machine is both the subject and the entity affected by the action. “Its self” would suggest that self is being treated as a separate noun, which is not the intended meaning in this sentence.
When should I use “itself”?
Use itself when referring back to a singular thing, animal, organization, or other entity. It can describe a reflexive action, as in “The cat cleaned itself,” or provide emphasis, as in “The company itself released the statement.” It also appears in expressions such as “by itself” and “in itself.” In ordinary writing, this is the form you will need most often.
Can “itself” be used for emphasis?
Yes. Itself can be emphatic, meaning it highlights a particular thing or entity. For example, “The proposal itself was not controversial” emphasizes the proposal specifically. This is different from the reflexive use in “The proposal changed itself.” Although the grammatical function changes, the spelling remains the same: itself, as one word.
Why do people write “its self”?
The confusion often comes from the appearance of the word itself. Learners may assume it is simply “its” plus “self,” especially because English has forms such as myself, yourself, himself, and herself. However, itself is an established single-word pronoun. The two-word phrase “its self” has a separate, much less common grammatical function.
Is “its self” used in formal writing?
It can appear in formal, philosophical, literary, or academic writing when “self” is intentionally treated as a separate noun. However, writers should not use it as a stylistic alternative to itself. If the intended meaning is reflexive, “itself” is the correct standard form. In formal writing, choosing the precise form is especially important because unusual spacing can distract readers or make the sentence appear grammatically incorrect.
Which is correct, “the company itself” or “the company its self”?
“The company itself” is correct when you want to emphasize the company. For example, “The company itself confirmed the report.” The word “itself” functions as an emphatic pronoun. “The company its self” does not work in this ordinary construction because “self” is not being used as an independent noun with a possessive determiner.
What is the easiest way to remember “itself”?
Use the action versus identity test. If you are describing an action involving the same thing, use itself: “The device repaired itself.” If you are genuinely discussing a separate concept of identity or selfhood, “its self” may be possible. For nearly all everyday grammar, remember one simple rule: the reflexive pronoun “itself” is one word.
