Is It Correct to Say ‘myself John’?

No, it is not correct to say “myself John” when you are introducing yourself. The correct phrase is “I am John” or simply “John.” The word “myself” is a reflexive pronoun, and it is only used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same person, or for emphasis. Using “myself” in place of “I” or “me” is a common grammar mistake in both spoken and written English, especially in workplace settings.

Quick Answer: What Should You Say Instead?

When introducing yourself, use the subject pronoun “I” with the verb “to be.”

• Correct: “I am John.”
• Correct (informal): “I’m John.”
• Correct (very informal): “John.” (Used when the context is clear, such as on a name tag or in a quick greeting.)
• Incorrect: “Myself John.”
• Incorrect: “My name is myself John.”

Think of “myself” as a word that reflects back on the subject. You cannot start an introduction with it because there is no action or subject for it to reflect.

Understanding the Role of “Myself”

“Myself” belongs to a group of words called reflexive pronouns. The full list includes: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. These words have two main jobs:

1. Reflexive Use (The Action Comes Back to the Subject)

Here, the subject performs an action on themselves.

• Example: “I taught myself how to use the new software.”
• Example: “I gave myself a break after the long meeting.”

2. Emphatic Use (To Add Emphasis)

Here, “myself” is used to stress that the subject, and no one else, did something.

• Example: “I myself will handle the client report.”
• Example: “I saw the error myself.”

Notice that in both cases, the word “I” is already present as the subject. You never replace “I” with “myself.”

Common Contexts Where This Mistake Happens

This error is very common in two specific situations: telephone introductions and email sign-offs. Let’s look at each.

On the Phone or In Person

You might hear someone say, “This is myself John.” This is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is “This is John” or “This is he/she.” In a professional context, “This is John Smith” is standard.

In Email Signatures and Introductions

Some people write, “Please contact myself if you have questions.” This is also incorrect. The correct phrase is “Please contact me if you have questions.” The word “me” is the object pronoun, which is needed after the verb “contact.”

Comparison Table: “Myself” vs. “I” vs. “Me”

Natural Examples in Workplace Contexts

Here are examples of correct and incorrect usage in common workplace scenarios.

Introductions

• Incorrect: “Myself John from the marketing team.”
• Correct: “I’m John from the marketing team.”
• Correct: “My name is John, and I work in marketing.”

Email Requests

• Incorrect: “Please send the agenda to myself.”
• Correct: “Please send the agenda to me.”
• Correct (formal): “Please send the agenda to me at your earliest convenience.”

Assigning Tasks

• Incorrect: “John and myself will handle the project.”
• Correct: “John and I will handle the project.” (Because “John and I” are the subjects.)
• Incorrect: “The manager gave the task to John and myself.”
• Correct: “The manager gave the task to John and me.” (Because “John and me” are the objects.)

Telephone Greetings

• Incorrect: “Hello, this is myself.”
• Correct: “Hello, this is John Smith.”
• Correct: “Hello, this is he.” (Very formal, but grammatically correct.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the three most frequent errors learners make with “myself.”

Mistake 1: Using “Myself” to Sound More Formal

Many people think “myself” sounds more professional or polite than “me” or “I.” This is a myth. Using “myself” incorrectly can actually make you sound less confident or unsure of grammar rules. Stick to “I” and “me.”

Mistake 2: Using “Myself” in a Compound Subject or Object

When you are part of a group, the rule is the same.

• Incorrect: “Sarah and myself are going to the conference.”
• Correct: “Sarah and I are going to the conference.”
• Incorrect: “The invitation was sent to Sarah and myself.”
• Correct: “The invitation was sent to Sarah and me.”

Mistake 3: Using “Myself” After a Preposition

Prepositions like “to,” “for,” “with,” and “by” require an object pronoun (“me”), not a reflexive pronoun (“myself”).

• Incorrect: “The report was prepared by myself.”
• Correct: “The report was prepared by me.”
• Correct (emphatic): “I prepared the report myself.” (Here, “myself” emphasizes that you did it alone.)

Better Alternatives: When to Use “Myself” Correctly

While you should avoid “myself” in introductions, there are correct times to use it. Here are the two proper uses.

Use 1: Reflexive Action

Use “myself” when you do something to yourself.

• “I reminded myself to update the spreadsheet.”
• “I found myself agreeing with the proposal.”

Use 2: Emphasis

Use “myself” to stress that you personally did something.

• “I myself checked the numbers.”
• “I will deliver the package myself.”

If your sentence does not fit one of these two patterns, you should probably use “I” or “me” instead.

Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence. Answers are below.

1. Please forward the email to (myself / me).
2. (Myself / I) will lead the presentation.
3. I taught (myself / me) how to use the new CRM system.
4. The CEO (myself / herself) approved the budget.

Answers:

1. me (Object of the preposition “to.”)
2. I (Subject of the verb “will lead.”)
3. myself (Reflexive: the subject “I” is also the object.)
4. herself (Emphatic: stresses that the CEO personally approved it.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is “myself” ever correct in an introduction?

No. You should never use “myself” to introduce yourself. The correct forms are “I am [name]” or “My name is [name].”

2. Why do so many people say “myself John”?

This mistake often happens because people are trying to sound more formal or polite. They may also be confused about when to use “I” versus “me,” so they use “myself” as a safe but incorrect alternative.

3. Can I use “myself” in an email signature?

No. An email signature is not a complete sentence, but if you are writing a closing line like “Please contact myself,” it is incorrect. Use “Please contact me.”

4. What is the rule for “myself” in a list with other people?

The rule is the same. If you are the subject, use “I” (e.g., “Tom and I”). If you are the object, use “me” (e.g., “between Tom and me”). Never use “myself” in a list unless the action is reflexive (e.g., “Tom and I taught ourselves”).

Final Advice for Workplace English

Using “myself” correctly is a small detail that can make a big difference in how professional you sound. In emails, meetings, and conversations, stick to the simple rules: use “I” for the subject, “me” for the object, and save “myself” for when you are truly reflecting an action back on yourself or adding emphasis. If you are ever unsure, try removing the other person from the sentence. For example, if you are deciding between “John and myself” or “John and I,” remove “John and.” You would never say “Myself will attend,” so “John and I will attend” is the correct choice.

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