'Themself' and 'themselves'—two words that might seem similar at first glance, yet they carry distinct meanings and usages in English. Let's unravel this linguistic puzzle together.
Starting with 'themself', it serves as a reflexive pronoun for singular subjects whose gender is unspecified. Imagine someone saying, "They took care of themself during the trip." Here, it's clear that we're referring to one individual without specifying their gender. While some traditionalists may argue against its usage, especially in formal contexts where ‘himself’ or ‘herself’ would typically be preferred, the acceptance of 'themself' has been growing in modern vernacular.
On the other hand, we have 'themselves'. This word functions as a reflexive pronoun for plural subjects. For instance: "They baked the cake themselves." In this case, it emphasizes that multiple people undertook an action on their own accord. It’s about highlighting agency within a group—a powerful way to express collective effort.
But what happens when you encounter these terms? The key lies in understanding whether you're discussing a single person or multiple individuals. If you're talking about one person whose gender isn't specified—use ‘themself’. If your subject is plural—‘themselves’ is your go-to choice.
Interestingly enough, while both forms are increasingly recognized in contemporary language use since around 2000 onwards (with textbooks reflecting this shift), many still find themselves confused by these subtle distinctions.
In informal settings like conversations among friends or social media posts, using ‘themself’ can feel natural and inclusive; however, sticking to more conventional structures remains advisable for formal writing situations where clarity and adherence to traditional grammar rules matter most.
So next time you’re faced with choosing between them both remember: context matters! Whether speaking casually or penning something polished—understanding how each fits into our ever-evolving language landscape enriches not just our communication but also fosters inclusivity.
