On a government form:

I understand that both myself and my spouse must sign below.

Wrong wrong wrong. First of all, whenever you have a compound subject, the first person is always last. Secondly, Myself is the reflexive pronoun. You only use it when both the subject and object of a verb refer to the same party. It should be:

I understand that both my spouse and I must sign below.

The canonical example is from "Austin Powers:"

Allow myself to introduce... myself.

The reason that is wrong is because the verb allow is being used as an imperative. The sentence above is (grammatically, if not semantically) equivalent to:

You allow myself to introduce myself.

Stated that way, the error is clear. It should be:

(You) allow me to introduce myself.

A quick test to see if it's right: switch the person. The first example becomes:

He understands that both himself and his spouse must sign below.

Clearly wrong. The second becomes:

Allow herself to introduce herself.

Again, it's clear.

¶ 1251 Posted at 11.02 AM ⇒ No Comments ( grammar nazi )