A Little About Myself

Okay. The Driver just spent a few minutes reviewing the matter of when and / or how to use the word "myself." He is still a bit cross-eyed and woozy, but recovering nicely.

Basically, the best rule of thumb is: Don't use "myself" as a substitute for "me" or "I."

But, wait. Isn't that what the word is for? Doesn't "myself" refer to the first person? Well, yes. But not in the way one might think.

Incorrect: "Harold and myself went to White Castle."

(Don't substitute "myself" for "I.")

Correct: "I myself have been known to go to White Castle."

(This is something called an "intensive" use. Don't ask.)

Incorrect: "Myself and the others are going to White Castle."

(Don't substitute "myself" for "I.")

Correct: "The others and I are going to White Castle."

"Myself" is most commonly (and correctly) used as something called a reflexive pronoun. It refers back to another pronoun earlier in a sentence.

"I told myself there was nothing to worry about."

(Here, "myself" refers to the pronoun "I.")

"They ate themselves silly at Kincaid's."

("Themselves" refers to "they.")

"He told me I was kidding myself."

(Refers to "me")

Advanced:

"And then he — he himself, the Grinch — carved the roast beast."

That's right, folks. 72Pinto: Where more people get their grammar. Okay, four people. That we know of. But that's probably more than the number of people who get their grammar from... say... the air sickness bag on a plane.

Speaking of sources of grammar, The Driver is obliged to cite drgrammar.org as his reference for this post -- but in doing so, he also requests that you continue to get at least some of your grammar from 72Pinto. Please?