Himself and themselves

[Rachel Adams]

This sentence is from the book "English Grammar Rules and Exercises" by Tatiana Kamianova. Which reflexive pronoun should be used after "person" and "he" and "she"? Can I use "themselves" in both?

"Is there any connection between the way a person behaves himself as a child and the way he or she behaves themselves as an adult?

 

[Rover_KE]

This sentence is from the book "English Grammar Rules and Exercises" by Tatiana Kamianova. Which reflexive pronoun should be used after "person" and "he or she"? Can I use "themselves" in both?

"Is there any connection between the way a person behaves himself as a child and the way he or she behaves themselves as an adult?"

Is Tatiana Kamianova a native English-speaker? :roll: The sentence would read better without any reflexive pronouns.

Did she quote that sentence as a model of good English or was it an exercise where you had to choose the pronouns?

 

[Rachel Adams]

Is Tatiana Kamianova a native English-speaker? :roll: The sentence would read better without any reflexive pronouns.

Did she quote that sentence as a model of good English or was it an exercise where you had to choose the pronouns?

It was an exercise. I don't think she is a native speaker, but what does she suggest using?

 

[Rover_KE]

I have no way of knowing what she suggests using.

What were the instructions for the exercise?

 

[Rachel Adams]

I have no way of knowing what she suggests using.

What were the instructions for the exercise?

To use the correct reflexive pronouns.

 

[probus]

In my opinion, the modern trend is to use themselves even in the singular. The intent is to make the language gender-neutral.

 

[Rover_KE]

Whilst some despise it, themself is gaining ground with a singular referent.

Themself is sometimes used instead of 'themselves' when it clearly refers to a singular subject. Some people consider this use to be incorrect.
No one perceived themself to be in a position to hire such a man.
...if the person themself wouldn't give me the permission to talk to their GP.

(Collins)

 

[jutfrank]

In my view, the reflexive pronouns are categorically wrong in the example sentence. They just should not be there.

We use reflexive pronouns with behave only in a very narrow sense:

Mother to children: Will you two please behave yourselves!

In this case, behave means something like 'comport with decorum'. In the sentence in the OP, it doesn't mean that at all.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Whilst some despise it, themself is gaining ground with a singular referent.

(Collins)

Oh, thanks! That's very interesting. So I can use either "themselves" or "themself" but not "himself" or "herself". If I understand correctly.