Better Way to Say ‘myself John’ in English
If you have ever introduced yourself by saying “Myself John” in a meeting, email, or conversation, you have used a phrase that native speakers immediately notice as incorrect. The direct answer is that “myself” is a reflexive pronoun, not a subject pronoun, so you cannot use it in place of “I” or “me.” The correct and natural way to introduce yourself is “I am John” or simply “I’m John.” This article explains exactly why “myself John” is wrong, gives you the right alternatives for every situation, and helps you avoid this common mistake in your own English.
Quick Answer: What to Say Instead of ‘Myself John’
Use one of these correct phrases depending on the context:
- Formal introduction: “I am John.”
- Casual introduction: “I’m John.”
- On the phone or in a meeting: “This is John.”
- In an email signature or opening: “I am John, [your role].”
- When someone asks who you are: “I’m John.”
Never use “myself” as a subject. The word “myself” is only correct when you are the object of your own action, such as “I taught myself” or “I did it myself.”
Why ‘Myself John’ Is Grammatically Wrong
The word “myself” is a reflexive pronoun. Reflexive pronouns in English are myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. They have two main uses:
- When the subject and object are the same person: “I cut myself while cooking.”
- For emphasis: “I myself don’t believe that story.”
In the phrase “Myself John,” you are trying to use “myself” as the subject of the sentence. That is grammatically impossible because “myself” cannot perform an action. The subject pronoun “I” is required. Compare these:
- Wrong: “Myself John.”
- Wrong: “Myself am John.”
- Correct: “I am John.”
- Correct: “I’m John.”
Some learners also say “Myself is John,” which is equally incorrect. The verb “to be” must agree with the subject “I,” so it is always “I am.”
Comparison Table: Correct vs. Incorrect Introductions
| Situation | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting someone new | Myself John. | I’m John. |
| Formal event | Myself is John Smith. | I am John Smith. |
| Answering the phone | Myself John speaking. | This is John. |
| Email introduction | Myself John from sales. | I am John from sales. |
| Introducing yourself in a group | Myself John, and this is my colleague. | I’m John, and this is my colleague. |
| After someone asks “Who are you?” | Myself John. | I’m John. |
Natural Examples for Real Situations
Here are natural examples showing how to introduce yourself correctly in different contexts. Notice that “myself” never appears in these correct sentences.
In a casual conversation
- “Hi, I’m John. Nice to meet you.”
- “I’m John. I work in the marketing department.”
- “Hey, I’m John. Are you new here too?”
In a formal meeting or presentation
- “Good morning, everyone. I am John, and I will be leading today’s session.”
- “For those I haven’t met, I am John from the finance team.”
- “I am John, and I have been with the company for five years.”
On the telephone
- “Hello, this is John.”
- “This is John calling from ABC Corporation.”
- “Hi, this is John. May I speak with Ms. Lee?”
In an email
- “Dear Mr. Tanaka, I am John, the project manager for your account.”
- “Hello, I am John from customer support. I am writing to follow up on your request.”
- “My name is John, and I am the new sales representative for your region.”
Common Mistakes with ‘Myself’ in Introductions
Learners often make these errors. Study them carefully so you can avoid them.
Mistake 1: Using ‘myself’ as a subject
- Incorrect: “Myself and my team will handle the project.”
- Correct: “My team and I will handle the project.”
- Incorrect: “Myself John from accounting.”
- Correct: “I’m John from accounting.”
Mistake 2: Using ‘myself’ after a preposition
- Incorrect: “Please send the report to myself.”
- Correct: “Please send the report to me.”
- Incorrect: “The package was addressed to myself.”
- Correct: “The package was addressed to me.”
Mistake 3: Using ‘myself’ to sound more formal
Some learners think “myself” sounds more professional or polite. It does not. It sounds uneducated. Use “I” or “me” instead.
- Incorrect: “Myself will be attending the conference.”
- Correct: “I will be attending the conference.”
- Incorrect: “Please contact myself if you have questions.”
- Correct: “Please contact me if you have questions.”
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Here are the best alternatives to “myself John” and guidance on when each is appropriate.
“I am John”
When to use it: Formal introductions, speeches, presentations, or any situation where you want to sound clear and professional. Use the full form “I am” instead of the contraction “I’m” for extra formality.
“I’m John”
When to use it: Casual conversations, meeting new people at social events, or any informal setting. This is the most common and natural way to introduce yourself in everyday English.
“This is John”
When to use it: On the telephone, at the beginning of a voicemail, or when introducing yourself to a group where people cannot see you. It is also common in video calls when you are the speaker.
“My name is John”
When to use it: When you want to be slightly more formal than “I’m John” but less formal than “I am John.” It works well in both spoken and written introductions.
“John here”
When to use it: Very informal, friendly situations, such as talking to colleagues you know well or in casual emails. Example: “John here. Just checking in on the report.”
Mini Practice: Test Yourself
Choose the correct option for each sentence. Answers are below.
1. When you meet a new colleague at work, you say:
a) Myself John.
b) I’m John.
c) Myself is John.
2. In a formal email to a client, you write:
a) Myself John from the support team.
b) I am John from the support team.
c) Myself is John from the support team.
3. On a phone call, you answer:
a) This is John.
b) Myself John.
c) Myself is John.
4. Which sentence is correct?
a) Please send the documents to myself.
b) Please send the documents to me.
c) Please send the documents to I.
Answers: 1. b, 2. b, 3. a, 4. b
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “myself John” ever correct in any dialect of English?
No. There is no standard English dialect where “myself John” is grammatically correct. Some regional dialects may use non-standard forms, but in professional, academic, or international English, you should always use “I am John” or “I’m John.”
2. Can I use “myself” in an introduction if I add another word?
No. Adding words does not fix the grammar. For example, “Myself, I am John” is still awkward and unnecessary. Just say “I am John.” The word “myself” has no place in a simple introduction.
3. What about “John and myself” in a sentence?
This is also incorrect when used as a subject. “John and myself will attend” should be “John and I will attend.” However, “John and myself” can be correct as an object in very specific sentences, such as “The manager spoke to John and myself,” though “John and me” is more natural.
4. Why do some native speakers say “myself” incorrectly?
Some native speakers overuse “myself” because they think it sounds more formal or polite. This is a common error even among native speakers, but it is still an error. Do not copy this habit. Stick to “I” and “me” for clear, correct English.
Final Tip for Remembering the Rule
Think of it this way: “myself” can only be used when “I” is already in the sentence. If you can replace “myself” with “I” or “me,” then “myself” is probably wrong. For introductions, you always need “I” as the subject. Practice saying “I’m John” out loud until it feels automatic. Once you break the habit of saying “myself John,” your English will sound much more natural and correct.
For more help with common grammar issues, visit our Grammar Accuracy Checks section. If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. You can also read our FAQ for answers to other common English questions. For more guides like this one, explore our Better English Corrections category. To understand how we create our content, see our Editorial Policy.