What are Reflexive Pronouns?
Reflexive pronouns are words that end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural). They are used when the subject and the object of a verb are the same person or thing. In other words, the action of the verb "reflects back" on the subject.
Here are the reflexive pronouns:
| Subject Pronoun | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| I | myself |
| You (singular) | yourself |
| He | himself |
| She | herself |
| It | itself |
| We | ourselves |
| You (plural) | yourselves |
| They | themselves |
1. When to Use Reflexive Pronouns
We use reflexive pronouns in the following situations:
a. When the Subject and Object are the Same
This is the primary use. The person performing the action is also the person receiving the action.
I cut myself while cooking. (I cut me)
He taught himself to play the guitar. (He taught him)
Be careful not to burn yourself. (You burn you)
b. To Emphasize the Subject (Intensive Pronouns)
Reflexive pronouns can also be used to emphasize that the subject performed the action personally, without help from anyone else. When used this way, they are often called "intensive pronouns" and can usually be removed from the sentence without changing its core meaning.
I built the house myself. (Meaning: I built it, not someone else)
The Queen herself opened the exhibition. (Meaning: The Queen, not a representative)
We saw the accident ourselves. (Meaning: We saw it directly)
c. After Prepositions (especially 'by')
When 'by' means "alone" or "without help," we use a reflexive pronoun.
She likes to travel by herself. (Meaning: alone)
He lives by himself. (Meaning: alone)
They can also be used after other prepositions when the object refers back to the subject.
He was talking to himself.
She bought a present for herself.
2. Verbs Not Used with Reflexive Pronouns
Some verbs are not typically used with reflexive pronouns because the action is usually done to oneself naturally. These include:
* wash, shave, dress, feel, relax, concentrate, meet, hide, complain, worry.
✗ I wash myself every morning.
✓ I wash every morning.✗ He feels himself happy.
✓ He feels happy.
However, if the action is unusual or done to someone else, a reflexive pronoun might be used for clarity.
He washed himself carefully after falling in the mud. (Emphasizes the thoroughness)
Common Errors and How to Fix Them
| ✗ Incorrect | ✓ Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| My sister and myself went to the cinema. | My sister and I went to the cinema. | Reflexive pronouns cannot be used as subjects. |
| He bought a present for hisself. | He bought a present for himself. | 'Hisself' is not a real word. |
| They enjoyed theirselves at the party. | They enjoyed themselves at the party. | 'Theirselves' is not a real word. |
| I saw me in the mirror. | I saw myself in the mirror. | The subject and object are the same, so use a reflexive pronoun. |
Summary
| Reflexive Pronoun | Use Case | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -self / -selves | Subject = Object | She looked at herself. |
| Emphasis | I did it myself. | |
| After 'by' (alone) | He lives by himself. |
💡 The key takeaway: Reflexive pronouns are essential when the action of the verb affects the subject directly. They "reflect" the action back to the doer.