Is myself capitalized? This question often arises in English grammar discussions, especially when it comes to the use of reflexive pronouns. Understanding the rules surrounding the capitalization of reflexive pronouns like myself is crucial for maintaining proper sentence structure and clarity.
Reflexive pronouns are used to refer back to the subject of a sentence, emphasizing the action is being done to or by the subject. Examples include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. While some reflexive pronouns, such as himself and herself, are always capitalized when they appear at the beginning of a sentence, the capitalization of myself is more nuanced.
In general, myself is not capitalized when it is used as a reflexive pronoun in the middle or at the end of a sentence. For instance, in the sentence “She cut herself on the glass,” the reflexive pronoun “herself” is not capitalized. However, when myself is used at the beginning of a sentence, it should be capitalized. For example, “Myself, I think it’s a great idea.”
The confusion often stems from the fact that reflexive pronouns can also serve as object pronouns, which are always lowercase. In the sentence “She gave herself a present,” “herself” is used as an object pronoun and, therefore, is lowercase. However, when “myself” is used as a reflexive pronoun, it retains its capitalization.
It’s important to note that capitalization rules can vary depending on the context and the style guide being followed. For instance, in the MLA style, reflexive pronouns are always lowercase unless they are at the beginning of a sentence. On the other hand, the APA style guide suggests capitalizing reflexive pronouns when they are the first word in a sentence.
In conclusion, the capitalization of myself as a reflexive pronoun depends on its position in the sentence. When it is used as a reflexive pronoun in the middle or at the end of a sentence, it is lowercase. However, when it is at the beginning of a sentence, it should be capitalized. Understanding these rules will help you use reflexive pronouns correctly and maintain grammatical accuracy in your writing.
