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Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence refer to the same person or thing. They typically end in “-self” (singular) or “-selves” (plural) and are used to emphasize or refer back to the subject of the clause.
Example
Instead of saying: “John cooked dinner for John.”
We use a reflexive pronoun to say: “John cooked dinner for himself.”
In this example, “himself” is the reflexive pronoun that refers back to John, making it clear that John both cooked the dinner and was the recipient of the action.
Forms of Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns correspond to personal pronouns and change form based on person, number, and in some cases, gender.
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| First | Myself | Ourselves |
| Second | Yourself | Yourselves |
| Third | Himself/Herself/Itself | Themselves |
Examples:
- I hurt myself while cooking.
- They congratulated themselves on their success.
Usage and Common Mistakes
Correct Use of Reflexive Pronouns
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To refer back to the subject of the clause:
- She dressed herself for the party.
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For emphasis:
- I myself prefer tea to coffee.
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After certain prepositions, especially in phrases describing individual or independent action:
- They completed the project by themselves.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Using reflexive pronouns instead of personal pronouns: Incorrect: Please contact John or myself with any questions. Correct: Please contact John or me with any questions.
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Using personal pronouns instead of reflexive pronouns when the object refers to the subject: Incorrect: He hurt him while shaving. Correct: He hurt himself while shaving.
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Using reflexive pronouns with certain verbs that don’t require them: Incorrect: We met ourselves at the cafe. Correct: We met at the cafe.
Intensive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns can also be used as intensive pronouns for emphasis. In this case, they’re not essential to the sentence’s meaning but add emphasis to the subject.
Example: The president himself attended the ceremony.
Key Takeaways
- Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence refer to the same person or thing.
- They typically end in “-self” (singular) or “-selves” (plural).
- Reflexive pronouns correspond to personal pronouns and change form based on person, number, and sometimes gender.
- Use reflexive pronouns to refer back to the subject, for emphasis, or after certain prepositions.
- Avoid using reflexive pronouns instead of personal pronouns when not referring back to the subject.
- Reflexive pronouns can also be used as intensive pronouns for emphasis.
FAQs
What’s the difference between reflexive and intensive pronouns?
While reflexive and intensive pronouns use the same words, their functions differ:
- Reflexive pronouns are necessary to complete the sentence’s meaning and refer back to the subject: “She hurt herself.”
- Intensive pronouns add emphasis and can be removed without changing the sentence’s core meaning: “She herself baked the cake.”
Can reflexive pronouns be used as the subject of a sentence?
Generally, no. Reflexive pronouns are typically used as objects, not subjects. For example: Incorrect: Myself went to the store. Correct: I went to the store. However, there are rare exceptions in certain idiomatic expressions, like “May I introduce myself?”How do I choose between ‘yourself’ and ‘yourselves’?
Use ‘yourself’ when addressing one person and ‘yourselves’ when addressing multiple people:
- Single person: “You should treat yourself to a day off.”
- Multiple people: “You should all treat yourselves to a day off.”
Are there any verbs that always require reflexive pronouns?
Yes, some verbs in English are typically used with reflexive pronouns. These include:
- Avail (oneself of)
- Pride (oneself on)
- Absent (oneself from)
- Busy (oneself with) For example: “She prides herself on her punctuality.”
How do reflexive pronouns differ in other languages?
Reflexive pronouns can vary significantly across languages:
- Some languages use the same reflexive pronoun for all persons and numbers.
- Others distinguish between reflexive and reciprocal pronouns (e.g., “each other” in English).
- In some languages, reflexive pronouns are used more frequently than in English. It’s important to study the specific rules of reflexive pronouns in each language you’re learning.
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Possessive Pronouns