By himself VS himself

The first indicates that he did it alone (with no assistance); the second indicates that he did not hire out the task.

Some books suggest that it would be clearer if you wrote "He

washed his car himself" as:

He himself washed his car.

Which books are those, Anon?

Dear Mr. Micawber:

Thank you for your note.

(1) Thank you for suggesting that I be more exact.

(2) I should have written the following post to the questioner:

(a) I myself baked that cake. = emphatic. It was I. Nobody else.

(b) I baked that cake by myself. = did it without any help.

(c) I baked that cake myself. = Is it (a) or (b)? Native

I find that there aren't difference in meaning. but for me the first sentence is not good, usually we understand people say '' I washed my body myself ''. used by himself or by myself for ma it is not good.

I think I'm in good way

moon7296He washed his car by himself VS He washed his car himself.

Do you find a difference in meaning or anything ?

He washed his car by himself.

1. No one else helped him. He was unassisted in washing his car.
2. No one else was there. He was alone when he washed his car.
______________

He washed his car himself.

This is an additional question from the original.

by oneself and oneself have been dealt with.

Now I want to know for oneself.

For example,

He has done the work for himself.

He has done the work by himself.

He has done the work himself.

Thank you for your clear answer!

This is an additional question from the original.

by oneself and oneself have been dealt with.

Now I want to know for oneself.

For example,

He has done the work for himself.

He has done the work by himself.

He has done the work himself.

'For himself' = 'for his own benefit', but it is also used with some (all?) of the meanings given above for 'himself' and 'by himself'.