Reflexive Pronouns

Definition

A reflexive pronoun is a type of pronoun which generally refers back to the subject (noun/pronoun) of a verb. It is used when the subject and the object of the sentence are the same.

Example

1. Anna introduced herself.

In this example, the reflexive pronoun 'herself' replaces the proper noun 'Anna' for the purpose of avoiding the repetition of the same noun multiple times.

The reflexive pronouns are formed by adding the suffix'self''(singular) or 'selves'(plural) to the end of my, your, our, him, her, it, or them.

Here is a table of reflexive pronouns:

	Reflexive Pronouns
	Singular	Plural
First person	myself	ourselves
Second person	yourself	yourselves
Third person	himself herself itself	themselves

Example

1. I saw myself in the mirror. 
2. I don’t want you to pay for me.I’ll pay for myself.
3. Do you talk to yourself sometimes?
4. Come in,children, and find yourselves a seat.
5. The cat washes itself after each meal. 
6. They must ask themselves some questions.
7. John encourages himself to consult a dentist.
8.  Lisa and I introduced ourselves to other guests.

Note

The reflexive pronoun is never used as a subject of a verb; It can only act as an object, and only when the noun or the pronoun it represents is already being used as the subject. For example:

1. Himself taught him to draw a cat.

The usage of the reflexive pronoun 'himself' is wrong because it should be used as the object of the verb teach while the personal pronoun 'he' as the subject. The example above should look like:

1. He taught himself to draw a cat.

Using the reflexive pronouns for emphasis

We can also use a reflexive pronoun to show emphasis in which we generally place it after a noun or pronoun,or at the end of a sentence.

Note: In some grammar books, in this case, the pronouns ( myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves) are called intensive pronouns because they used to place a specific emphasis on who is performing the action; otherwise, the reflexive pronouns mainly used when also the subject receives the action of the verb. 

Example 

1. The actress played herself in the film about her life.
2. John drove the car himself.
3. She herself emailed the report to her boss.

Exercises

1) Which of the following sentences uses reflexive pronouns correctly?

1. “I couldn’t believe the pictures of myself after the party!”
2. “And how is himself these days?”
3. “I really haven’t felt like myself lately.”
4. “Please send the relevant information to Bob, Jane, and myself.”

2) Which is the correct singular first-person reflexive pronoun?

1. Ourselves
2. Yourself
3. Themselves
4.  Myself

3) When do you use a reflexive pronoun?

1. When a personal pronoun is the object of a preposition.
2. When a person or thing is the subject and the object of the same verb.
3. When a person or thing is the subject of one verb and the object of another verb in the same sentence.

4) Complete the sentences with appropriate reflexive pronouns.

1.  Everyone drew self-portraits. I drew a picture of ................................... .
2.  Rosa drew a picture of ................................... .  
3. Yusef drew a picture of ................................... .
4. The children drew pictures of ................................... .
5. We drew pictures of ................................... .
6. Olga, you drew a picture  o f ................................... , didn’t you?
7. All of you drew pictures of ...................................  , didn’t you?
8. When  one draws a picture of ................................... , it is called a self-portrait.

5) Complete  the  sentences  with  appropriate  reflexive  pronouns.

1. Tommy told a lie. He was ashamed of ................................... . 
2. Masako cut ................................... while she was chopping vegetables.
3. People surround ................................... with  friends  and family during holidays.
4. Omar thinks Oscar is telling the truth. So does Ricardo. I don’t ................................... believe  Oscar’s story for a minute!
5. Now that their children are grown, Mr. and  Mrs. Grayson live by................................... .
6. A:  Should I  marry Steve? B: No one can make that decision for you, Ann. Only you ................................... can make such an important decision about your own life.
7. Emily and Ryan, be careful!  You’re going to hurt ................................... !
8. A: I hate my job. B: Me too. I envy Jacob. He’s self-employed. A: Yeah. I’d like to work for ................................... too.
9. Jason, you need to eat better and get more exercise. You should take better care  of ................................... . Your father takes care of  ................................... , and I take care of ................................... .Your father and I are healthy because we take good care of ................................... . People who take care of  ................................... have a better chance of staying healthy than those who don’t.

Answer key

Exercise (1) 

3

Exercise (2)

4

Exercise (3)

2

Exercise (4)

myself, herself, himself, themselves, ourselves, yourself, yourselves , himself/herself/oneself.

Exercise (5)

himself, herself, themselves, myself, themselves, yourself, yourselves, myself, yourself-himself-myself-ourselves-themselves.