Is It Correct to Say ‘myself John’?
No, it is not correct to say “myself John” when you are introducing yourself. The phrase “myself John” is a common grammar mistake because “myself” is a reflexive pronoun, not a subject or object pronoun. The correct way to introduce yourself is “I am John” or simply “John.” This guide explains why “myself John” is wrong, when to use “myself” correctly, and how to sound natural in both casual and formal situations.
Quick Answer: What Should You Say Instead?
If you want to introduce yourself, use one of these correct phrases:
- I am John. (Standard and clear)
- My name is John. (Slightly more formal)
- John. (Casual, in conversation)
- This is John. (On the phone or when someone else is listening)
Never use “myself” to introduce yourself. “Myself” is only used when you are both the subject and the object of the verb, or for emphasis.
Why ‘Myself John’ Is a Mistake
The word “myself” is a reflexive pronoun. Reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) are used in two main situations:
- When the subject and object are the same person. Example: “I hurt myself.” Here, “I” is the subject doing the action, and “myself” is the object receiving the action.
- For emphasis. Example: “I myself completed the project.” This adds emphasis to “I.”
When you say “myself John,” you are using “myself” as if it were a subject pronoun like “I.” This is grammatically incorrect. The verb “to be” (am, is, are) does not take a reflexive object. You do not say “I am myself John” either. The correct structure is “I am John.”
Formal vs. Informal Contexts
The mistake “myself John” is most common in informal speech, especially when people try to sound more formal or careful. Ironically, it has the opposite effect. Here is how to handle introductions in different contexts:
Informal Conversation
In casual settings, you can simply say your name: “Hi, John.” Or “I’m John.” Both are natural and correct. Avoid “myself John” because it sounds unnatural and grammatically wrong.
Formal or Professional Settings
In a business meeting, email, or formal introduction, use “I am John” or “My name is John.” For example:
- Correct: “Good morning, I am John Smith.”
- Incorrect: “Good morning, myself John Smith.”
Email Introductions
In emails, you might write: “I am John from the marketing team.” Or “This is John writing to follow up.” Never write “Myself John” in an email signature or opening line.
Comparison Table: Correct vs. Incorrect Uses
| Situation | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Introducing yourself | Myself John. | I am John. / My name is John. |
| Answering the phone | Myself John speaking. | This is John. / John speaking. |
| Starting a presentation | Myself John, and I will talk about… | I am John, and I will talk about… |
| Writing an email signature | Best regards, Myself John | Best regards, John |
| Emphasizing your role | I myself John did the work. | I myself did the work. (Correct use of “myself” for emphasis, but “John” is not needed) |
Natural Examples
Here are real-life examples showing correct and incorrect usage:
Example 1: At a Party
- Incorrect: “Hi, myself John. Nice to meet you.”
- Correct: “Hi, I’m John. Nice to meet you.”
Example 2: Business Call
- Incorrect: “Hello, myself John from ABC Corp.”
- Correct: “Hello, this is John from ABC Corp.”
Example 3: Email Opening
- Incorrect: “Dear Team, Myself John, the new project manager.”
- Correct: “Dear Team, I am John, the new project manager.”
Example 4: Group Introduction
- Incorrect: “Myself John and my colleague Sarah.”
- Correct: “I am John, and this is my colleague Sarah.”
Common Mistakes with ‘Myself’
Beyond introductions, learners often misuse “myself” in other ways. Here are the most frequent errors:
Mistake 1: Using ‘Myself’ as a Subject
- Wrong: “Myself and John went to the store.”
- Right: “John and I went to the store.”
Mistake 2: Using ‘Myself’ Instead of ‘Me’
- Wrong: “Please send the report to John and myself.”
- Right: “Please send the report to John and me.”
Mistake 3: Using ‘Myself’ to Sound More Formal
- Wrong: “If you have any questions, contact myself.”
- Right: “If you have any questions, contact me.”
Better Alternatives: When to Use ‘Myself’ Correctly
Now that you know when not to use “myself,” here are the correct situations:
Reflexive Use
Use “myself” when the subject does something to itself.
- “I taught myself to play guitar.”
- “I reminded myself to buy milk.”
Emphatic Use
Use “myself” to add emphasis to the subject.
- “I myself saw the accident.”
- “I will handle this myself.”
Prepositional Use (with ‘by’)
Use “by myself” to mean alone or without help.
- “I traveled by myself.”
- “I finished the project by myself.”
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence. Answers are below.
- _____ am a teacher at the local school.
A) Myself
B) I
C) Me - Please send the documents to _____.
A) myself
B) I
C) me - I _____ completed the assignment on time.
A) myself
B) me
C) my - _____ and my friend are going to the cinema.
A) Myself
B) Me
C) I
Answers
- B) I — “I am a teacher.”
- C) me — “Please send the documents to me.”
- A) myself — “I myself completed the assignment.” (Emphatic use)
- C) I — “My friend and I are going to the cinema.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is it ever correct to say “myself John”?
No, it is never grammatically correct to say “myself John” as an introduction. The reflexive pronoun “myself” cannot replace the subject pronoun “I” in a sentence with the verb “to be.” Always use “I am John” or “My name is John.”
2. Why do some people say “myself John”?
Some people mistakenly think “myself” sounds more formal or polite than “I” or “me.” This is a common error. In reality, using “myself” incorrectly makes you sound less professional. Stick with “I” for subjects and “me” for objects.
3. Can I use “myself” in an email signature?
No. An email signature should simply include your name. For example, “Best regards, John Smith.” Do not write “Myself John” or “Sincerely, myself.” If you need to add a title, write “John Smith, Project Manager.”
4. What is the difference between “I,” “me,” and “myself”?
“I” is a subject pronoun (used before a verb): “I run.” “Me” is an object pronoun (used after a verb or preposition): “She called me.” “Myself” is a reflexive pronoun (used when the subject and object are the same): “I hurt myself.” Never use “myself” as a subject or object unless the action reflects back on the subject.
Final Tip for English Learners
If you are unsure whether to use “myself,” try removing the other person from the sentence. For example, if you want to say “Please email John and myself,” remove “John and.” You would not say “Please email myself,” so the correct phrase is “Please email John and me.” This simple test works for most situations. For introductions, remember: you are the subject, so use “I am.” Avoid “myself” entirely when introducing yourself, and you will sound more natural and correct.
For more help with common grammar issues, visit our Grammar Accuracy Checks section. If you have questions about email writing, check Email Phrase Corrections. For speaking tips, see Speaking Mistake Fixes. And for general improvements, explore Better English Corrections. You can also read our FAQ for more answers.
