Hypercorrection Part 1: Me, Myself, and I: The 'Myself' Epidemic

If you have spent more than a week in a modern corporate office, you have undoubtedly received an email containing a sentence very similar to this:

'If you have any questions, please reach out to John or myself.'

It sounds polite, professional and entirely normal. It is also completely wrong.

This is a classic example of hypercorrection, a grammatical error that occurs when a writer tries so hard to sound formal and correct that they actually break the rules of the language. In the corporate world, the misuse of the word 'myself' has reached epidemic proportions.

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The Root of the Anxiety

Why do so many intelligent professionals use 'myself' incorrectly? It usually stems from a deep-seated grammatical panic.

When drafting an email, the writer reaches the end of the sentence and suddenly freezes. They know that 'reach out to John and I' sounds wrong (and it is). However, using the word 'me' ('reach out to John and me') feels far too informal, or perhaps a bit selfish.

In a panic, the writer searches for a compromise. They reach for the word 'myself' because it sounds sophisticated, deferential and perfectly suited for a Tuesday afternoon update to the board of directors.

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The Rule of the Reflexive Pronoun

The grammatical truth is actually very simple. 'Myself' is a reflexive pronoun. You can only use a reflexive pronoun when the subject and the object of the sentence are exactly the same person. You use it when an action reflects back onto the person performing it.

For example, you can say:

• 'I accidentally copied myself on the email.'

• 'I will write the report myself.'

You cannot use 'myself' as a substitute for 'me' or 'I' just because you want to sound polite. If you are not performing the action in the sentence, 'myself' has no business being there. In our corporate email example, the person doing the reaching out is the client, not you. Therefore, the reflection is broken.

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The Cure: Trusting the 'Me'

The cure for the corporate 'myself' epidemic is simple: we need to stop being afraid of the word 'me'.

'Please reach out to John or me' is grammatically flawless. It is clear, concise and confident. When you strip away the awkward hypercorrection of 'myself', your professional writing instantly sheds that layer of underlying anxiety.

At Cooper Freelance, I help corporate clients and independent authors clean up these subtle structural errors. Good editing isn't just about catching spelling mistakes; it is about ensuring your brand’s voice is as confident on the page as you are in the boardroom.

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How CF Publishing Can Help

Identifying the right style is only the first step; maintaining it across a complex document is where the real challenge lies. When you are close to a project, it is easy to become "blind" to the subtle inconsistencies that undermine your professional image.

At CF Publishing, I provide the expert oversight necessary to ensure your work adheres to your chosen style with absolute precision.

• For Authors: I ensure your manuscript meets the exacting standards of traditional UK publishing houses.

• For Businesses: I help you develop or enforce an in-house style that protects your brand’s credibility.

• For Academics: I provide the meticulous eye for detail required for high-stakes research and dissertation proofing.

Let me handle the mechanics of the style guide so you can focus on the impact of your message.