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Reflexive Pronouns

The document explains reflexive pronouns, which are used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same. It outlines the different forms of reflexive pronouns, their uses in various contexts, and provides examples and exercises for practice. Additionally, it notes specific verbs that do not typically use reflexive pronouns and emphasizes the importance of understanding their correct application.

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21 views7 pages

Reflexive Pronouns

The document explains reflexive pronouns, which are used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same. It outlines the different forms of reflexive pronouns, their uses in various contexts, and provides examples and exercises for practice. Additionally, it notes specific verbs that do not typically use reflexive pronouns and emphasizes the importance of understanding their correct application.

Uploaded by

pflegepersonallink
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Reflexive Pronouns

Introduction
A reflexive pronoun is a special kind of pronoun. It is usually used when the object of a sentence is the same as the subject,
as you will see below. Each personal pronoun (such as I, you, and she) has its own reflexive form. This introduction will
explain what the different forms of reflexive pronouns are, and when they are used.

The forms of reflexive pronouns


Personal Reflexive
Pronoun Pronoun

I myself

you (singular) yourself

you (plural) yourselves

he himself

she herself

it itself

we ourselves

they themselves

Reflexive pronouns are used in following situations.

1. Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object are the same.

 Look at your arm. You have painted yourself.


 I cut myself while I was peeling potatoes for dinner.
 Talking to oneself is the first sign of madness.
 I hurt myself.
 The band call themselves “Dire Straits”.
2. Reflexive pronouns can apostrophize to possessive statements and objects as well.

 Her stories are all about herself.

3. Object pronoun’ is used after a preposition reporting place, not ‘reflexive pronoun’.

 I didn’t have any money with ….


a) her (true) b) myself (false)
 She didn’t see the car behind … while she was parking.
a) her (true) b) herself (false)

4. Reflexive pronoun structures can be used in sentence at different places to emphasize at meaning “my own self, me
myself and I / in the flesh, in person”.

 I myself want to see the manager.


 They talked to the doctor himself.

5. Reflexive pronoun structures can be used at meaning “alone” or “without help from anyone else” in form of” by + reflexive
pronoun”. This meaning can be given with the usage of ‘on my/his/their own’.

 The old woman lives by herself in an enormous house.


 Hillary was only four but she wrote her name all by herself.
 It’s a big garden, but we do all the gardening (by) ourselves.
 Little Tom made that cake all by himself.

6. There are some idioms used with ‘reflexive pronouns’. Please, examine the examples below.

 I hope the fanatic supporters behave themselves this time. (stand smarter)
 Please help yourself to the food, won’t you? (When someone is asked to buy from foods and drinks, it is used at meaning
“go ahead”.)
 Please make yourself at home. (It is used when someone is invited and told to comfort oneself as if one self home.)

7. Reflexive pronouns can be used in order to emphasize.

 Do it yourself.
 The house itself is nice, but the garden is very small.

8. There is not reflexive structure describing possessive. Instead, “my own, your own, his own etc.” usages are used.

 I only wash my own clothes. (NOT …myself’s clothes)

9. The verbs as “wash, dress, shave” are not used with reflexive pronouns in English.
 I shave on Mondays. (NOT …shave myself)

10. However, reflexive pronouns can be used when it need to clear who the action is made by.
 My son is old enough to dress himself.

11. Those are other some verbs which are not used with reflexive pronouns:
 All of a sudden, one of the windows opened.
 Her latest book is selling well.
 You should try to concentrate.
 I feel funny. (NOT I feel myself funny.)

12. “Reflexive pronouns” are used in the sentences that its subject and its object are same. It indicates that the subject is
influenced by his/her work.

 After years of experience, I have taught myself to tolerate people.


 As we were waiting for the results, we all prepared ourselves for the worst.
Note:
Reflexive pronouns are not used with some verbs as “feel, dress, get up, concentrate, adapt, remember, stand up,
wake up, move, hurry, get married, get tired, wash, shave, meet, rest”.

 I feel nervous.
 Handle couldn’t concentrate on the film due to the noise.

Note: However, above verbs are used with reflexive pronouns so as to emphasize that the action is made with difficulty.

13. When it is used with ‘by’ preposition, it is emphasized that the action was made only by that person without help.
 You should learn to get over troubles by yourself.
 It is not advisable to let little children play near the swimming pool by themselves.

14. These pronouns can characterise both subject and object.


 Grandad saw Atatürk himself in 1930.
 I talked to the children themselves; I didn’t complain to their parents.

15. “Reflexive pronouns” can be used after a preposition.


 She only thinks of herself.
 When her mind is too busy with something, Laura talks to herself.

16. However, “reflexive pronouns” cannot be used, and “object pronouns” is used if the preposition in the sentence is used
for locating.
 Martha placed her handbag in front of her.
 Please, don’t bring your cousin with you because she is too naughty.
Note: These pronouns are also used with below statements.
enjoy oneself / help oneself / be proud of oneself / take care of oneself / make oneself at home / behave oneself

 I hope you will like the film. Enjoy yourself!


 Come on kids! Help yourselves to these delicious chocolate cookies!

Exercises:

What it is the correct form of the reflexive pronoun for each sentence?

1. Jody and her husband own their own company, so they can give ________ a holiday any time they like.
2. When I saw ________ in the mirror, I was horrified -- there was red paint on my nose!
3. I'll have to help Young Hee fill in her form, but Ja Young can do it ________, because her English is excellent.
4. Look! There's a little bird washing ________ in the river.
5. Can I ask you a question, Sami? Did you go to classes to learn German, or did you teach ________?
6. Welcome to the party, everyone! Just help ________ to sandwiches and snacks.
7. At 12.30, Junko and I went to the cafeteria to buy ________ some lunch.
8. John hurt ________ while he was fixing his car.

Answer:

1. Themselves
2. Myself
3. Herself
4. Itself
5. Yourself
6. Yourselves
7 . Ourselves
8 . himself

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