Its self or itself

Many writers ask its self or itself and get confused. Both look similar, but only one is usually correct.

This article explains the difference. I give clear rules and many examples. Also mark parts of speech in sentences. I check verbs for tense and agreement. You will learn simple tips to remember the right form.

Table of Contents

parts-of-speech analysis

Many people wonder whether to write its self or itself when they edit text.
The difference may seem small, but it changes meaning and correctness.
In most cases, itself is the right form because English uses reflexive pronouns without a separate possessive its.
Writers sometimes split its and self incorrectly, producing its self, which looks wrong in modern usage.
This guide gives rules, clear examples, common mistakes, and memory tips so you can write with confidence.
I will analyze parts of speech and check verb forms to help you see why one form works and the other usually does not.

Many people wonder whether to write its self or itself when they edit text

Nouns: people, text
Pronouns: they (plural, refers to people)
Verbs: wonder (present tense, plural subject Many people → correct), edit (base verb in subordinate clause introduced by when; subject they → implied plural; correct)
Adjectives: Many (quantifier modifying people)
Adverbs: none explicitly (though whether introduces an indirect question)
Prepositions: when (subordinating conjunction/adverbial), to (infinitive marker for to write)
Conjunctions: none aside from when and whether acting as subordinators

The difference may seem small, but it changes meaning and correctness

Nouns: difference, meaning, correctness
Pronouns: it (refers to The difference)
Verbs: may seem (modal may + base verb seem, present; expresses possibility), changes (third-person singular present; subject it → correct)
Adjectives: small (modifies difference)
Adverbs: none
Prepositions: none
Conjunctions: but (coordinating conjunction showing contrast)

In most cases, itself is the right form because English uses reflexive pronouns without a separate possessive its

Nouns: cases, English, pronouns
Pronouns: itself (reflexive pronoun, subject complement), its (possessive pronoun in quote)
Verbs: is (third-person singular present; linking verb matching singular subject itself as grammatical unit), uses(third-person singular present; subject English → correct)
Adjectives: most (quantifier modifying cases), right (modifies form), separate (modifies possessive)
Adverbs: none
Prepositions: in (preposition), because (subordinating conjunction introducing reason), without (preposition introducing contrast)
Conjunctions: because (connects clauses)

Writers sometimes split its and self incorrectly, producing its self, which looks wrong in modern usage

Nouns: Writers
Pronouns: none
Verbs: split (present plural form matches Writers), producing (present participle forming participial phrase), looks(third-person singular present; subject which refers to phrase its self → correct)
Adjectives: modern (modifies usage)
Adverbs: sometimes (modifies split), incorrectly (modifies split)
Prepositions: in (preposition)
Conjunctions: none aside from relative which

This guide gives rules, clear examples, common mistakes, and memory tips so you can write with confidence

Nouns: guide, rules, examples, mistakes, tips, confidence
Pronouns: This (demonstrative determiner replacing guide after naming)
Verbs: gives (third-person singular present; subject This guide → correct), can write (modal can + base verb writein subordinate clause)
Adjectives: clear, common, memory (used attributively)
Adverbs: none
Prepositions: with (preposition introducing confidence)
Conjunctions: and (joins list), so (subordinating conjunction introducing purpose/result)

I will analyze parts of speech and check verb forms to help you see why one form works and the other usually does not

Nouns: parts, speech, verb forms, form
Pronouns: I, you, one, the other
Verbs: will analyze, check (future simple with will + base verbs; subject I → correct), help (base verb in purpose clause), see (base verb), works (third-person singular present; subject one form → correct), does (third-person singular present; auxiliary for negative; subject the other → correct)
Adjectives: verb (modifies forms), one (determiner/pronoun), the (definite article)
Adverbs: usually (modifies does not)
Prepositions: of not present; to introduces purpose; why introduces indirect question
Conjunctions: and (connects verbs in compound predicate)

— All introduction verbs match their subjects and use correct tense and form. Sentence structures avoid fragments and long run-on constructions.

Quick definitions: its, it’s, itself, and “its self”

Before we go deeper, clear definitions help.

its — a possessive pronoun. It shows that something belongs to it. Example: The cat chased its tail. Use its like his or her, but without an apostrophe.
it’s — a contraction of it is or it has. Use it when you mean “it is” or “it has.” Example: It’s raining = It is raining. Do not use it’s for possession.
itself — a reflexive pronoun. Use it when the subject and object are the same it. Example: The machine fixed itself. Reflexive pronouns end with -self (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves).
its self — two words; usually incorrect in modern English when intended to be itself. You may see its self in older texts or poetic uses, but in standard modern usage write itself.

Key rule: When you need a reflexive, use itself (one word). When you need possession, use its (no apostrophe). When you need it is or it has, use it’s (with apostrophe). Never use its’ — that is incorrect.

When to use itself (with examples and parts-of-speech checks)

Rule: Use itself when the subject and object refer to the same thing. Itself is a reflexive pronoun. It is one word.

“The robot fixed itself.”

Parts of speech:
- The — article (determiner)
- robot — noun (subject, singular)
- fixed — verb (past tense; action performed by subject)
- itself — reflexive pronoun (object referring back to robot)
Verb check: fixed is past tense; subject robot (singular) matches past action — correct.

“The book itself is interesting.”

Parts of speech:
- The — article
- book — noun (subject)
- itself — reflexive/emphatic pronoun used here for emphasis (acts like an adjective/adverbial modifier)
- is — verb (third-person singular present)
- interesting — adjective (predicate complement)
Note: itself can be emphatic: it emphasizes book — meaning the book, and not something else, is interesting.Verb agreement: is matches singular subject book.

“The cat groomed itself carefully.”

Parts of speech:
- The cat — noun phrase subject
- groomed — past tense verb
- itself — reflexive pronoun object
- carefully — adverb modifying groomed
Verb check: past tense matches narrative. Good.

Reflexive pronouns can also appear after prepositions: “By itself, the engine runs quietly.” Here itself follows the preposition by as an object of the prepositional phrase.

When to use its (with examples and parts-of-speech checks)

Rule: Use its to show possession. It does not have an apostrophe.

Example A: “The dog lost its leash.”

Parts of speech:
- The dog — noun phrase subject
- lost — verb (past)
- its — possessive pronoun (modifies leash)
- leash — noun (object)
Verb check: lost past tense matches subject — correct.

Example B: “The company increased its profits last year.”

Parts of speech:
- The company — noun phrase
- increased — verb (past)
- its — possessive pronoun modifying profits
- profits — noun (object)
- last year — adverbial phrase of time
Verb check: increased past matches subject — correct.

Common confusion: People sometimes write it’s when they mean its. Check by expanding it’s into it is or it has. If the expansion fits, use it’s. If not, use its.

Example check: “It’s color is red.” Expand: “It is color is red.” Wrong. Correct: “Its color is red.” (Note: also color vs colour variant in British English — we’ll cover that later.)

Why “its self” is almost always wrong

Explanation: English forms reflexive pronouns by adding -self or -selves to the possessive or objective base (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves). There is no gap between the possessive and self. Therefore, its self (two words) breaks that rule.

Historically, older texts sometimes used spacing (its self), but modern standard English treats the reflexive as one word: itself.

Incorrect: “The machine adjusted its self.” Correct: “The machine adjusted itself.”

Parts-of-speech analysis of correct sentence:

The — article
machine — noun (subject)
adjusted — verb (past)
itself — reflexive pronoun (object)

The reflexive pronoun must be one word. If you see its self in modern writing, correct it to itself, unless the author intentionally uses archaic style.

Common mistakes and how to fix them (annotated)

Mistake: Using “it’s” for possession
- Wrong: “The tree lost it’s leaves.”
- Why wrong: it’s = it is or it has. Neither fits.
- Fix: “The tree lost its leaves.”
Parts-of-speech check:
- The tree (noun phrase)
- lost (verb past)
- its (possessive pronoun) — correct usage after fix
- leaves (noun)
Mistake: Writing “its self” instead of “itself”
- Wrong: “The app updated its self overnight.”
- Why wrong: Reflexive pronoun should be one word.
- Fix: “The app updated itself overnight.”
Parts-of-speech check:
- The app (noun)
- updated (verb past)
- itself (reflexive pronoun object)
Mistake: Confusing “itself” with possessive adjectives
- Wrong: “Its self is damaged.” (intended meaning: “Its own body is damaged”)
- Better: “It is damaged” or “Its body is damaged.”
- Note: Use itself only when referring reflexively: “It injured itself.”
Mistake: Adding apostrophe to possessive
- Wrong: “The company raised it’s standards.”
- Fix: “The company raised its standards.”
Verb checks: raised past tense matches subject.

American vs British English: any difference?

For its, it’s, and itself, both American and British English follow the same rules.

Spelling variants: Some nouns paired with its may follow American or British spelling differences (e.g., colorvs colour, behavior vs behaviour). That change affects surrounding words but not the pronoun rule.
Style preferences: Both dialects avoid its self in modern writing. You will not find its self in standard contemporary British or American publications.
Formality: In formal writing, avoid contractions like it’s unless appropriate. Use full forms (it is, it has) when clarity or formality demands.

Idiomatic expressions and nuance

Emphatic use of itself: itself often adds emphasis.

Example: “The solution, in itself, is simple.”
- Here in itself is a prepositional phrase meaning “by its own nature” or “when considered alone.”

Parts-of-speech:

The solution — noun phrase
in — preposition
itself — reflexive/emphatic pronoun functioning as noun phrase object
is — verb (third-person singular present)
simple — adjective complement

Reflexive for emphasis vs reflexive for action:

Emphasis: “The book itself is flawless.” (emphasizes the book)
Action: “The book closed itself.” (the book did the action to itself — possible in fiction/animated context)

Possessive vs contraction nuance:

It’s been a long day. (= It has been a long day.)
Its cover is torn. (= possessive of cover)

Mnemonic: Replace it’s with it is or it has. If it fits, the apostrophe is correct; if not, use its.

Practical tips and memory aids

Apostrophe test: Replace it’s with it is or it has. If the sentence still makes sense, keep the apostrophe. If not, use its.
- Example: It’s name is unknown. → It is name is unknown. → wrong → Its name is unknown.
Reflexive test: If the subject acts on itself, use itself as one word.
- Example: The device resets itself.
Never write its’ or it’ss. They are incorrect.
Watch for emphasis: Use itself when you want to emphasize or isolate the subject.
- Example: The plan itself is solid; the timing is not. (emphasis)
Read aloud: Hearing “it is” or “itself” will often make the right choice clear.
Proofread for apostrophes: Writers often mistype it’s for its. A quick read for “it is” expansions helps.
Create small flash cards: One side: it’s → other side: it is/it has. Second card: its → possessive. Third card: itself → reflexive.

Examples and analysis throughout (many annotated examples)

Below are multiple example sentences with parts-of-speech and verb checks.

“It’s a good day.”
- Expansion: It is a good day. → contraction correct.
- Parts of speech: It (pronoun subject), is (verb present), a (article), good (adjective), day (noun).
“The bird preened its feathers.”
- Possessive its correct.
- Parts of speech: The bird (subject), preened (verb past), its (possessive pronoun), feathers (noun object).
“The mirror showed itself in the display.”
- Reflexive usage; could be figurative.
- Parts of speech: The mirror (subject), showed (verb past), itself (reflexive pronoun), in (preposition), the display (object of preposition).
“If it’s been repaired, it will work.”
- First it’s = it has (present perfect). Expand: If it has been repaired… — correct.
- Second it subject; will work future simple verb — correct.
“Its cover, itself worn, told the story of long use.”
- Here itself acts as an emphatic element: itself worn = “which itself is worn.”
- Parts of speech: Its (possessive), cover (noun), itself (emphatic/reflexive pronoun), worn (adjective/past participle used adjectivally).
“It’s not that its design is poor; it’s that it was rushed.”
- Contractions and possessives used properly: first It’s = It is, second its = possessive, third it’s = It is.
- Verb checks: is poor (present), was rushed (past passive). Tense contrast is intentional and correct.
“The program adjusts its settings by itself.”
- its = possessive; by itself = reflexive phrase meaning “without help.”
- Parts of speech: The program (subject), adjusts (verb present), its (possessive), settings (noun), by(preposition), itself (reflexive pronoun object).
“It’s been so long that its memory is fuzzy.”
- It’s = It has (present perfect), its possessive, verbs and tenses align.

Each example above avoids fragments and run-ons. Verbs match their subjects and tenses.

Rewrite to enhance grammar, clarity, style, and vocabulary

Below I rewrite a sample messy paragraph, then explain edits. The rewrite keeps simple language (grade 0) but improves clarity and vocabulary modestly.

Messy original: “its self is wrong a lot of time. people say it’s when they mean its. this make sentence bad. itself is one word. its is possessive. fix it.”

Issues identified: missing capitalization and punctuation, confusion between it’s and its, wrong spacing in its self, sentence fragments, lack of flow.

Polished rewrite (simple language): “Itself is one word. Use itself when the subject and object are the same. Use its without an apostrophe for possession and use it’s only when you mean it is or it has. Check your sentences to avoid mistakes.”

Analysis of rewrite (parts-of-speech and verb checks):

Sentence 1: Itself (reflexive pronoun used nominally), is (linking verb present), one (adjective), word (noun). Subject-verb agreement correct.
Sentence 2: Use (imperative verb), itself (object), when (subordinator), the subject and object are the same(clause with are matching plural compound subject the subject and object). Agreement correct.
Sentence 3: Use (imperative), its (possessive pronoun), without (preposition), an apostrophe (noun phrase). Clear.
Sentence 4: Use (imperative), it’s (contraction), only (adverb), when (subordinator), you mean it is or it has(clause with verbs mean, is, has). Verbs correct.
Sentence 5: Check (imperative), your sentences (object), to avoid mistakes (infinitive purpose phrase). Clear and correct.

This rewrite fixes punctuation, clarifies rules, and uses short, varied sentences to improve readability.

Conclusion

Use itself (one word) for reflexive or emphatic meaning. Use its (no apostrophe) for possession and use it’s (with apostrophe) only as a contraction of it is or it has. Avoid its self in modern writing. Read your sentence aloud, try the apostrophe test (it is/it has), and use the reflexive test (subject acts on itself) to choose the right form. Keep sentences short when you learn. Proofread to catch errors.

FAQs

1. Is “its self” ever correct? Usually no. Use itself as one word. You may find its self in old texts, but not in modern standard English.

2. How do I remember “its” vs “it’s”? Replace it’s with it is or it has. If the sentence still makes sense, keep the apostrophe. If not, use its.

3. When do I use “itself”? When the subject and the object are the same (reflexive), or to add emphasis: The machine fixed itself. / The plan itself is strong.

4. Can “it’s” mean possession? No. It’s is a contraction for it is or it has. For possession use its.

5. Is “its'” a valid form? No. Its’ is incorrect. For possessive, use its.

6. Are there dialect differences for these words? No, both British and American English follow the same rules for its, it’s, and itself. Spelling of other words around them may differ (color/colour), but not the pronoun rules.

7. Why do people confuse them so often? Apostrophes are tricky for many writers. The contraction and possessive forms look similar in other words (it’s vs its), so mistakes happen.

8. Can “itself” be used for emphasis? Yes. Itself can stress the subject: The system itself is simple.

9. What is the best quick check? Try the apostrophe test: expand it’s to it is or it has. Also ask if the subject is acting on itself — if yes, use itself.

10. How can I practice? Make 10 sentences with each form and check them. Use flashcards: it’s = it is/it has; its = possession; itself = reflexive.