What are Reflexive Pronouns?
Reflexive pronouns are distinct words that end in -self (for singular subjects) or -selves (for plural subjects). They are legally required in a sentence when the subject (the "doer") and the object (the "receiver") of an action are the exact same person or thing. In simpler terms, the action "reflects back" like a mirror onto the subject.
Here are the standard reflexive pronouns:
| Subject Pronoun | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| I | myself |
| You (singular) | yourself |
| He | himself |
| She | herself |
| It | itself |
| We | ourselves |
| You (plural) | yourselves |
| They | themselves |
💡 Tip: Notice the spelling change! Singular forms use -self (myself), but plural forms drop the 'f' and add -ves (ourselves, themselves). "Theirselves" and "hisself" are not real words!
Reflexive Pronouns Structure and Formula
Reflexive pronouns primarily occupy the object position in a clause, but with a strict contingency: they must refer back to the subject.
1. When the Subject and Object are the Same
This is the fundamental rule. You use them when the subject performs an action upon itself.
Formula:
S + V + Reflexive Pronoun (Acting as O)
(Requirement: S = O)
I cut myself while cooking. (S = I, O = myself)
He taught himself to play the guitar.
Be careful not to burn yourself.
2. After Prepositions (especially 'by')
When you use a preposition to indicate who received the action, use a reflexive pronoun if it points back to the subject.
Formula:
S + V + Preposition + Reflexive Pronoun
He was talking to himself.
She bought a present for herself.
Special Structure with "By":
When we use by + reflexive pronoun, it carries a specific idiom meaning "alone" or "without any help from anyone else."
She naturally likes to travel by herself. (Meaning: completely alone)
He fixed the engine by himself. (Meaning: without assistance)
3. To Emphasize the Subject (Intensive Pronouns)
Sometimes, reflexive pronouns are just used to emphasize that the subject performed the action personally. When used this way, they are known as "intensive pronouns" and can technically be deleted without making the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Formula:
S + Reflexive Pronoun + V + O OR S + V + O + Reflexive Pronoun
The Queen herself opened the exhibition. (Emphasis on the Queen)
I built the house myself. (Emphasis that I didn't hire builders)
How to Tell the Difference Between Reflexive Pronouns and Object Pronouns
Choosing between an object pronoun (him, me) and a reflexive pronoun (himself, myself) depends entirely on who the subject is.
| Feature | Object Pronouns (me, him, them) | Reflexive Pronouns (myself, himself) |
|---|---|---|
| Logic | The subject and object are different people/things. | The subject and object are the same person/thing. |
| Example Structure | Sarah looked at him. | Sarah looked at herself in the mirror. |
| Meaning | Sarah looked at another guy. | Sarah looked at her own reflection. |
When NOT to Use Reflexive Pronouns in English
There are specific verbs in English that imply a natural, reflexive action. With these verbs, you generally do not use reflexive pronouns unless you are doing something highly unusual.
These verbs include:
* wash, shave, dress, feel, relax, concentrate, meet, hide, worry.
✗ I wash myself every morning.
✓ I wash every morning.✗ He feels himself happy.
✓ He feels happy.
Exception: If the action is abnormally difficult or you want extreme emphasis:
After breaking his arm, he struggled to dress himself.
Real-life Examples of Reflexive Pronouns Usage
Let's look at these pronouns in everyday context:
- Manager: Who fixed the printer? Did you call the IT department?
- Employee: No, I actually fixed it myself! I watched a video online and figured it out.
- Manager: Wow, that's impressive. You should be proud of yourself.
Summary & Cheatsheet for Reflexive Pronouns
| Reflexive Pronoun Function | Structural Position | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Object | S + V + Reflexive | She blamed herself. | Action reflects backward. |
| Object of Preposition | S + V + Prep + Reflexive | He bought it for himself. | Preposition targets the subject. |
| Meaning "Alone / Unaided" | ... by + Reflexive. | I live by myself. | Completely alone. |
| Emphasis (Intensive) | S + Reflexive + V | The boss himself called me. | Extra emphasis on the doer. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I say "Please contact John or myself"?
No! This is a very common mistake in corporate English. "Myself" must reflect back to an "I" subject. Since "you" is the implied subject (You contact...), the correct phrasing is: "Please contact John or me."
Are "hisself" and "theirselves" real words?
No. They are non-standard slang or regional errors. Always use himself and themselves.
What is the difference between "each other" and "themselves"?
"Each other" is a reciprocal pronoun (A does to B, and B does to A). "Themselves" is reflexive (A does to A, and B does to B).
Example: They looked at themselves in the mirror. (Sarah looked at Sarah, John looked at John).
Example: They looked at each other. (Sarah looked at John, and John looked at Sarah).