REFLEXIVE PRONOUN

REFLEXIVE PRONOUNDefinition: We use the reflexive pronouns to indicate that the person who realizes the action of the verb is the same person who receives the action.. Reflexive pronoun

REFLEXIVE PRONOUN

Definition: We use the reflexive pronouns to indicate that the person who realizes the

action of the verb is the same person who receives the action Reflexive pronouns are

identical in form to intensive pronouns

Subject Reflexive

Singular

I You He She

It

myself yourself himself herself itself

Plural YouWe

They

ourselves yourselves themselves

For example:

• I cut my hair myself.

* In this example "I" does the action of cutting the hair and at the same time "I" gets the action of the hair being cut

• We defended ourselves brilliantly

* In this example the reflexive pronoun "ourselves" refers back to the subject of the sentence

• John talks to himself when he is nervous.

* In this example "Himself" refers to John

Reflexive pronouns always act as objects not subjects, and they require an interaction

between the subject and an object

For example:

• Because she was not hungry when the cake was served, Ellen saved herself a

piece

* In the independent clause, "Ellen" is the subject and "herself" is a reflexive

pronoun acting as the indirect object This sentence is grammatically correct

• John and myself are going to the movie.

* In this sentence, "John" and "myself" are the subjects Reflexive pronouns

cannot be subjects This sentence is grammatically incorrect

Care must be taken to identify whether the noun is singular or plural and choose the pronoun accordingly

For example:

• Nor is she shy about giving herself credit for it.

• We gave ourselves a second chance to complete the course.

• Did they lock themselves out of the house again?

• Give yourselves a pat on the back for a job well done.

Note: The reflexive pronoun can also be used to give more emphasis to the subject or

object (intensive pronoun)

For example:

• I did it myself

* I want to emphasise the fact that I did it

Examples:

• He washed himself.

• She looked at herself in the mirror.

• Diabetics give themselves insulin shots several times a day.

• After the party, I asked myself why I had faxed invitations to everyone in my

office building

• Richard usually remembered to send a copy of his e-mail to himself.