Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive Pronouns

The grammatical term pronoun is known to everyone who is attached to the English language. Many English learners may not know completely what reflexive pronouns are. After reading this content, you will learn reflexive pronouns.

What are reflexive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are pronouns ending in self/selves that we use when a subject performs its action upon itself. A reflexive pronoun is used as an object in a sentence when the performer and recipient of an action are the same.

• You should save yourselves in a shelter.

In this example, the reflexive pronoun “yourselves” is acting as the object of the sentence. The subject and the object are the same.

By + Reflexive Pronouns

You can use by + a reflexive pronoun to show that the subject was alone and performed the action without any help from others.

• I taught them English by myself.
• She by herself cooked the rice for us.
• They cooked the meal on the picnic by themselves.

Reflexive Pronouns Chart

Pronoun	Reflexive Pronoun
I	Myself
We	Ourselves
You	Yourself/Yourselves
He	Himself
She	Herself
It	Itself
They	Themselves
One	Oneself

Examples of Reflexive Pronouns

• I criticized myself.
• Lisa asked herself a question.
• You did nothing but annoyed yourself.
• When he got aware, he scolded himself.
• The computer updates itself automatically.
• They strengthened themselves economically.
• We judged ourselves in tackling the problem.
• I bought black shoes and a white shirt for myself.
• One should see oneself in a mirror before leaving home.
• You should control yourselves; otherwise, you will regret it.

 

Common Errors with Reflexive Pronouns

There are some places where reflexive pronouns are used mistakenly. The main parameter is to check if a reflexive pronoun is used as an object; the performer is also the same person or thing.

In Compound Subjects

Many people use reflexive pronouns in compound subjects. Using a reflexive pronoun in a compound subject is an error. We don’t use a reflexive pronoun as a subject.

• Lisa and myself will cook the meal for the guests. (Incorrect)
• Lisa and I will cook the meal for the guests. (Correct)

In Compound Objects

Some people use reflexive pronouns in compound objects. This is also an error. We use a reflexive pronoun as an object but not a part of a compound object.

• Lisa may buy a gift for John and myself. (Incorrect)
• Lisa may buy a gift for John and me. (Correct)

Using a Reflexive Pronoun When It is not the Doer

It will be a mistake to use a reflexive pronoun when it is not the doer of the action it receives.

• She saw myself in the mirror that was above the shank. (Incorrect)
• She saw me in the mirror that was above the shank. (Correct)

 

Reflexive vs. Intensive Pronouns

Formation

Reflexive and intensive pronouns end in the suffix -self or -selves. The suffix is added to the possessive adjectives of first and second-person pronouns, and the objective case of third-person pronouns. We add the suffix –self to one to make its reflexive or intensive pronoun.

He ----- himself

• He bought himself black shoes. (Reflexive)
• He solved my problem himself. (Intensive)

They ----- themselves

• They blamed themselves for not taking care of their children. (Reflexive)
• They distributed flour among the poor. (Intensive)

Function

Reflexive pronouns are used as objects when their antecedents are the same. A reflexive pronoun redirects a sentence to its subject. When a subject performs its action upon itself, we use a reflexive pronoun as an object.

• John saw himself in the mirror and found that his eye’s color had become red.

In this example, the pronoun “himself” is a reflexive pronoun. The subject “John” and the object “himself” are the same. The subject has performed the action upon himself.

On the other hand, intensive pronouns are used to add emphasis to their antecedents. They are not used as objects; they just give importance to nouns or pronouns to which they refer.

• Ali taught us English himself.

In this sentence, the pronoun “himself” is intensive. It is not an object; it just adds emphasis to the noun “Ali”.

Effects of Removing a Reflexive or Intensive Pronoun

One another difference between a reflexive and intensive pronoun is their removal from a sentence. Removing an intensive pronoun from a sentence significantly does not change its meaning.

• I turned the light on myself.
• I turned the light on.

If we remove a reflexive pronoun, a little ambiguity is created.

• I criticized myself in the meeting.
• In the meeting, I criticized. 

The second example is a little ambiguous. You don’t know whom I criticized in the meeting.  

FAQs on Reflexive Pronouns

What is the rule for reflexive pronouns?

The rule for reflexive pronouns is that we use a reflexive pronoun when the subject and object are the same person or thing.

• She made herself a cup of tea.
• John believed in himself.

Why is it called a reflexive pronoun?

It is called a reflexive pronoun because it reflects the subject's action back to the subject of a sentence.

• It will control itself in the auto mood.
• She will observe herself there.

How do you identify a reflexive pronoun?

We can identify a reflexive pronoun by finding out the pronoun ending with self/selves. The pronoun is reflexive if the subject and the pronoun are the same person or thing.

• John and I hid ourselves in a cave.

The pronoun “ourselves” ends with -selves. The subject “John and I” and the pronoun “ourselves” are the same, so the pronoun is reflexive.