Grammar · Pronouns
Reflexive Pronouns (Myself, Himself, Themselves)
When do you say “him”, and when do you say “himself”? Learn the difference with the film Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Grammar › Pronouns › Reflexive Pronouns
The rule in one sentenceUse himself, myself and the other -self words when the action goes back to the same person, and him, me and so on when it goes to someone else.
About the film
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a superhero film from 2026, with Tom Holland as Peter Parker. Because of a magic spell, the world has forgotten Peter, and nobody remembers him any more. Now he lives by himself in New York and protects the city on his own, while his powers start to change in surprising ways.
What does it do?
Look at these two sentences: Peter looks at himself and MJ looks at him. In the first, Peter does the action, and the action comes back to Peter. In the second, MJ does the action to a different person.
So the choice is simple. Same person at both ends of the action? Use a -self word. A different person? Use him, her, them and so on.
Look at the tiles. In the first and third, Peter is the only person, so we use himself. In the second and fourth, other people do the action to Peter, so we use him.
Notice the endings. One person takes -self. More than one person takes -selves. And watch out: it is always himself and themselves, never “hisself” or “theirselves”.
MJ doesn’t know him any more. So Peter keeps his secret to himself.
In the first sentence, the action goes from MJ to Peter. In the second, it stays with Peter.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
myself / himself — the same person
Peter has to do everything himself.
Don’t blame yourself for everything.
The -self word does not change in negative sentences.Did you hurt yourself?
Match the -self word to the subject: you → yourself.me / him — someone else
The people of New York need him.
His friends don’t remember him.
Another person does the action to Peter.Does anyone know him now?
Use him, her or them after the verb.When to use each one
-self / -selves — back to the same person
me / him / them — someone else
Words that help: same person or someone else?
These phrases often come with one type or the other.
-self / -selves → often used with
me / him / them → often used with
Common mistakes
❌ Peter lives by hisself now.
✅ Peter lives by himself now.
“Hisself” is not a word. Always say himself.
❌ People in New York can look after theirselves.
✅ People in New York can look after themselves.
The plural is themselves, never theirselves.
❌ MJ doesn’t remember himself.
✅ MJ doesn’t remember him.
MJ and Peter are different people, so use him.
❌ Peter feels himself very lonely.
✅ Peter feels very lonely.
“Feel” doesn’t take a -self word in English.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
A -self word can add extra force. Put it after the person, or at the end, to say “that person and nobody else”.
✅ Even Peter himself is surprised by his new powers. (Peter too, not only other people)
✅ Peter protects the city himself. (no one helps him)
Practice: choose the right word
Eight questions. Choose one word. You get the answer, and why.
1. Peter lives by ___ in a small flat.
“By himself” means alone → himself.
2. MJ doesn’t remember ___.
MJ and Peter are two people → him.
3. Be careful with that knife! Don’t cut ___.
You do the action to you → yourself.
4. We made the pizza ___. It was great!
We, with no help → ourselves.
5. Peter can look after ___.
Hisself is not a word → himself.
6. The kids enjoyed ___ at the cinema.
The plural is themselves.
7. A woman falls, and Peter helps ___.
Peter helps another person → her.
8. After a long day, Peter just wants to ___.
“Relax” doesn’t take a -self word → relax.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!
Keep going
This film’s lesson
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Now hear it in the film
You have just learned reflexive pronouns with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Now hear the whole film explained in English.
The full listening episode on the same film — a slow, clear movie review with the language used in real speech, and a free transcript.
BeginnerBonus episodeWatch on YouTube