Have you ever typed a sentence and wondered about its-self vs itself, then looked at the word itself and asked whether it should actually be written as its-self? 🤔 This is a small grammar question, but it can become confusing because English has several reflexive pronouns that end in -self, including myself, yourself, himself, and herself.
The good news is that the rule for its-self vs itself is very simple: itself is the correct standard form. It is written as one word, without a hyphen. Its-self is not the standard spelling of the reflexive pronoun.
The confusion usually comes from the word its. Since its is a real English word, some writers assume that adding self creates the correct reflexive form. However, standard English uses itself, not its-self.
In this guide, we will explain its-self vs itself in simple US English. You will learn the correct meaning, grammar rules, sentence patterns, common mistakes, real-life examples, and easy ways to remember the difference. By the end, you should have no trouble choosing the correct form. ✍️
Imbed vs Embed: What’s the Difference?
Quick Answer: Its-Self vs Itself
The correct form is itself. It is the reflexive and intensive pronoun related to it, and it is always written as one word in standard English.
Its-self is not the standard form when you mean the reflexive pronoun. For example, write “The computer repaired itself,” not “The computer repaired its-self.”
Understanding Its-Self vs Itself
The key to understanding its-self vs itself is knowing how English reflexive pronouns work.
A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of a sentence. When the subject is represented by it, the correct reflexive pronoun is itself.
Here is the basic family of English reflexive pronouns:
- I → myself
- you → yourself
- he → himself
- she → herself
- it → itself
- we → ourselves
- you → yourselves
- they → themselves
Notice something important: itself is a single word.
We do not normally write my-self, your-self, or him-self. In the same way, we do not write its-self when we need the reflexive pronoun.
Its-Self vs Itself Comparison Table
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example | Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| itself | Reflexive pronoun | Refers back to it | The machine repaired itself. | ✅ Correct |
| itself | Intensive pronoun | Adds emphasis | The company itself confirmed the news. | ✅ Correct |
| its-self | Nonstandard spelling | Intended as the reflexive form of it | The machine repaired its-self. | ❌ Incorrect |
| its | Possessive determiner | Shows possession | The machine lost its power. | ✅ Correct |
| it’s | Contraction | Means it is or it has | It’s working now. | ✅ Correct |
The Main Rule
If you are asking its-self vs itself because you need the reflexive form of it, choose:
itself ✅
Not:
its-self ❌
This is the most important rule to remember.
What Does “Itself” Mean?
Itself has two main grammatical uses.
First, it can be a reflexive pronoun. In this use, it refers back to a subject.
For example:
The dog hurt itself.
The subject is the dog. The word itself refers back to the dog.
Second, itself can be an intensive pronoun. In this use, it adds emphasis.
For example:
The company itself announced the decision.
The word itself emphasizes the company.
Understanding these two uses makes the its-self vs itself question much easier.
Correct Use of “Itself” as a Reflexive Pronoun
A reflexive pronoun is used when the subject and the object refer to the same thing.
Consider:
The cat cleaned itself.
The cat is doing the action, and the cat is also receiving the action.
Breakdown:
- The cat = subject
- cleaned = verb
- itself = reflexive object
Here are more examples:
- The dog scratched itself.
- The bird injured itself.
- The machine turned itself off.
- The computer restarted itself.
- The phone repaired itself.
- The program updated itself.
- The robot moved itself.
In every example, itself points back to the subject.
Why “Its-Self” Does Not Work Here
A common mistake is to write:
The computer repaired its-self. ❌
The correct sentence is:
The computer repaired itself. ✅
The problem is not the meaning. The reader can usually understand what the writer intended. The problem is the spelling and grammatical form.
When discussing its-self vs itself, remember that itself is the established English reflexive pronoun.
“Itself” as an Intensive Pronoun
The word itself can also emphasize a noun.
For example:
The company itself created the new policy.
The sentence emphasizes that the company personally or directly created the policy.
Other examples include:
- The product itself is affordable.
- The building itself is historic.
- The software itself is free.
- The idea itself is simple.
- The problem itself is easy to solve.
- The system itself is reliable.
In these sentences, removing itself does not necessarily make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Compare:
The company announced the decision.
The company itself announced the decision.
The second sentence gives extra emphasis.
“By Itself” and “Of Itself”
You will often see itself in expressions such as by itself.
By Itself
By itself can mean alone, independently, or without assistance.
Examples:
- The machine works by itself.
- The door opened by itself.
- The program runs by itself.
- The device can operate by itself.
Consider:
The computer restarted by itself.
This means the computer restarted without someone manually restarting it.
Of Itself
The phrase of itself is less common in everyday US English, but it can appear in formal or literary writing.
For example:
The change was significant in and of itself.
Here, the phrase means that something is significant on its own.
Again, the correct spelling is itself, not its-self.
Its vs Itself
One of the biggest reasons people make the its-self vs itself mistake is confusion between its and itself.
“Its” Shows Possession
Use its to show that something belongs to or is associated with something.
Examples:
- The company changed its logo.
- The dog wagged its tail.
- The phone lost its signal.
- The computer updated its software.
- The tree lost its leaves.
Here, its is not a reflexive pronoun.
“Itself” Refers Back to the Subject
Examples:
- The dog hurt itself.
- The computer restarted itself.
- The machine repaired itself.
- The company defended itself.
A simple comparison can help:
The company changed its policy.
Here, its shows possession.
The company defended itself.
Here, itself refers back to the company.
It’s vs Itself
Another common source of confusion is it’s.
It’s is a contraction of:
- it is
- it has
For example:
It’s cold today.
This means:
It is cold today.
Another example:
It’s already finished.
This can mean:
It has already finished.
But itself is completely different.
The machine fixed itself.
You cannot replace itself with it’s.
Incorrect:
The machine fixed it’s. ❌
Correct:
The machine fixed itself. ✅
When solving its-self vs itself, make sure you are not accidentally thinking about it’s.
Grammar Rules for Its-Self vs Itself
Standard English treats itself as a single established word.
Major dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster list itself as the reflexive and intensive form of it. Standard grammar references also recognize itself as the correct form.
The important point is that English reflexive pronouns have fixed forms. Writers should use the established form rather than creating a new hyphenated version.
The standard form is:
it + self → itself
Not:
its + self → its-self
The word its already has a different grammatical function. It is the possessive form associated with it.
A Simple Grammar Pattern
For reflexive use:
Subject + verb + itself
Examples:
- The system fixed itself.
- The machine cleaned itself.
- The dog injured itself.
- The application restarted itself.
For emphasis:
Noun + itself + verb
Examples:
- The company itself confirmed the news.
- The product itself is useful.
- The idea itself is interesting.
Test Tip: How to Check the Correct Form
If you are unsure about its-self vs itself, use this three-step test.
Step 1: Find the Subject
Ask who or what is performing the action.
Example:
The computer restarted itself.
Subject = computer
Step 2: Ask Whether the Pronoun Refers Back to the Subject
Does itself refer to the computer?
Yes.
Step 3: Use “Itself”
Because the reflexive form of it is itself, the sentence is correct.
The computer restarted itself. ✅
Quick Memory Trick
Remember:
It + self = itself.
Do not add a hyphen.
Do not change it to its-self.
Case Study: A Professional Email
Imagine a worker sends this email:
Incorrect:
The software restarted its-self after the update.
The meaning is understandable, but the spelling is incorrect.
A polished version would be:
Correct:
The software restarted itself after the update.
Now consider another sentence:
The software itself caused the problem.
Here, itself emphasizes the software.
This example shows why its-self vs itself matters in professional communication. A small spelling error may not change the meaning, but it can make an email, report, or technical document look less polished.
Its-Self vs Itself in Everyday Conversation
In everyday conversation, people usually hear itself rather than see it written.
You might say:
- The door opened itself.
- The phone turned itself off.
- The dog cleaned itself.
- The machine stopped by itself.
Because pronunciation does not reveal the spelling, people sometimes become confused when they later write the word.
This is one reason the its-self vs itself question appears frequently in writing.
The best solution is simple: memorize itself as one word.
Its-Self vs Itself in Professional Writing
Professional writing requires standard grammar and spelling.
Use itself in:
- business emails
- reports
- resumes
- websites
- technical documents
- workplace messages
- presentations
- academic assignments
For example:
The application can update itself automatically.
This is clear and professional.
Avoid:
The application can update its-self automatically. ❌
The second version contains a spelling error.
If you are writing content for clients or customers, using the correct form can also improve the overall quality of your work.
Its-Self vs Itself in Academic Writing
Students may encounter itself frequently when writing essays and reports.
Examples:
The experiment itself produced unexpected results.
The theory itself has several limitations.
The process can correct itself under certain conditions.
Academic writing should follow standard English conventions, so itself is the appropriate form.
Using its-self can make a paper look careless even when the underlying idea is correct.
Its-Self vs Itself in Creative Writing
Creative writers also use itself regularly.
For example:
The old house seemed to repair itself every spring.
Here, itself gives the house an almost magical quality.
Another example:
The story seemed to write itself.
This means the writing process felt unusually easy or natural.
Creative writing can intentionally break grammar rules for dialogue, character voice, or artistic effect. However, that does not make its-self the standard grammatical form.
Its-Self vs Itself in Social Media and Texting
Social media and texting are informal, so spelling mistakes are common.
You may see:
The phone fixed its-self.
But the standard form is still:
The phone fixed itself.
Informal writing does not change the standard spelling of a word.
If you want your captions, posts, comments, or messages to look professional, use itself.
Common Mistakes With Its-Self vs Itself
Several habits can lead to this error.
Fast Typing
People often type words based on how they think they are constructed.
Because its is a common word, adding -self may seem logical.
Autocorrect
Autocorrect can sometimes suggest unexpected forms. Writers may accept a suggestion without reviewing the sentence.
Always check important writing after using autocorrect.
Lack of Grammar Knowledge
Some people simply have not learned the standard reflexive pronoun for it.
That is not difficult to fix.
Remember:
it → itself
Overgeneralizing a Pattern
English contains many -self words, so writers may assume that every pronoun follows the same visible pattern.
However, the correct forms must be learned individually.
Similar Grammar Confusions
| Confusing Forms | Correct Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| its / it’s | possession / it is or it has | Its screen is cracked. / It’s broken. |
| your / you’re | possession / you are | Your phone is here. / You’re ready. |
| their / they’re | possession / they are | Their car is new. / They’re outside. |
| there / their | place or existence / possession | The book is there. / Their book is new. |
| who’s / whose | who is or who has / possession | Who’s calling? / Whose phone is this? |
| itself / its-self | reflexive pronoun / nonstandard spelling | The machine fixed itself. |
Learning these pairs can improve overall writing accuracy.
Why Its-Self vs Itself Matters
At first, its-self vs itself may seem like a very small issue. After all, most readers can understand what a writer means.
However, correct word forms matter for several reasons.
Clarity
Standard spelling helps readers understand your message quickly.
Professionalism
Correct grammar makes emails, articles, reports, and other documents look more polished.
Writing Accuracy
A writer who pays attention to small grammar details is more likely to produce clear and reliable content.
Digital Communication
Online content is often read quickly. A spelling mistake can distract readers or reduce confidence in the writer.
A useful rule is:
Small grammar choices can make a big difference in clear communication.
Special Exception: Names and Deliberate Styling
There is no standard grammar exception that changes itself into its-self.
However, a specific title, fictional name, brand, username, or creative work might deliberately use unusual spelling.
For example, if Its-Self appeared as part of a proper name, the capitalization and hyphenation could be intentional.
That would be a naming or stylistic choice, not a general English grammar rule.
For normal writing, the answer to its-self vs itself remains:
Itself ✅
More Examples of Correct “Itself” Usage
Reflexive Examples
- The cat washed itself.
- The dog scratched itself.
- The child saw itself in the mirror.
- The machine cleaned itself.
- The computer restarted itself.
- The phone turned itself off.
- The software updated itself.
- The robot moved itself.
- The door closed itself.
- The system corrected itself.
Emphasis Examples
- The company itself made the announcement.
- The product itself is easy to use.
- The building itself is beautiful.
- The idea itself is not complicated.
- The website itself loads quickly.
- The software itself is free.
“By Itself” Examples
- The machine operates by itself.
- The door opened by itself.
- The system restarted by itself.
- The program runs by itself.
- The device turned on by itself.
Incorrect vs Correct Sentences
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| The machine repaired its-self. | The machine repaired itself. |
| The dog hurt its-self. | The dog hurt itself. |
| The phone restarted its-self. | The phone restarted itself. |
| The software updated its-self. | The software updated itself. |
| The door closed its-self. | The door closed itself. |
| The system fixed its-self. | The system fixed itself. |
| The company itself made the decision. | The company itself made the decision. |
| The device works by its-self. | The device works by itself. |
These examples show that the solution is consistent: use itself without a hyphen.
How to Avoid the Mistake
You can prevent this error with a few simple habits.
Memorize the Reflexive Pronouns
Learn the standard group:
myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves
Remember the Possessive Difference
Keep these three forms separate:
- its = possession
- it’s = it is or it has
- itself = reflexive/intensive pronoun
Proofread Before Publishing
Before submitting an article, email, assignment, or report, search for:
its-self
If you find it and you intended the standard reflexive pronoun, replace it with:
itself
This is especially useful for long articles.
Quick Recap Checklist
| Question | If Yes → Use |
|---|---|
| Do you need the reflexive form of it? | itself |
| Does the word refer back to the subject? | itself |
| Are you adding emphasis to a noun? | itself |
| Do you mean something belongs to it? | its |
| Do you mean it is or it has? | it’s |
| Are you considering writing its-self as the reflexive pronoun? | ❌ Use itself |
| Is the hyphen part of a special proper name? | Follow that name’s official styling |
Practice Example 1
The computer repaired ______ after the error.
Answer: itself ✅
Practice Example 2
The company ______ announced the change.
Answer: itself ✅
Practice Example 3
The dog hurt ______ while playing.
Answer: itself ✅
FAQs
1. Is “its-self” correct?
No. Its-self is not the standard spelling of the reflexive pronoun. The correct form is itself.
2. Is “itself” one word?
Yes. Itself is normally written as one word without a hyphen.
3. What is the reflexive pronoun for “it”?
The reflexive pronoun for it is itself.
Example:
The machine repaired itself.
4. What is the difference between “its” and “itself”?
Its shows possession, while itself is a reflexive or intensive pronoun.
Example:
The company changed its logo.
The company itself announced the change.
5. Why do people write “its-self”?
The mistake may happen because its is a familiar word, because someone types quickly, because of autocorrect, or because the writer does not know that itself is the established form.
6. Can “itself” refer to an animal?
Yes. When an animal is referred to with it, use itself as the reflexive pronoun.
Example:
The cat cleaned itself.
If the animal is referred to as he or she, use himself or herself instead.
Conclusion
The answer to its-self vs itself is clear: itself is the correct standard form. It is written as one word and does not normally contain a hyphen.
Use itself when it refers back to it, as in “The machine repaired itself.” You can also use it for emphasis, as in “The company itself confirmed the news.”
Do not confuse itself with its or it’s. Its shows possession, while it’s means it is or it has. Itself is the reflexive or intensive form of it.
The easiest way to remember the rule is:
it + self = itself ✅
Once you remember this simple pattern, the its-self vs itself confusion becomes easy to solve. Whether you are writing an email, school assignment, blog post, report, or social media caption, choose itself for standard English.
When in doubt, skip the hyphen and write “itself.” ✍️
Hi, I’m Jonathan Reed, a language researcher and contributor at Gramcora. My focus is on English grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, helping readers communicate more clearly and confidently.
