What Are Emphatic Pronouns? Definition, List & Easy Examples
| Emphatic Pronoun | Used With | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| myself | I | I baked this cake myself. |
| yourself | You | You cleaned your room yourself. |
| himself | He | He fixed the bike himself. |
| herself | She | She painted the picture herself. |
| itself | It | The dog opened the gate itself. |
| ourselves | We | We built the shelter ourselves. |
| yourselves | You (plural) | You will finish the task yourselves. |
| themselves | They | They decorated the hall themselves. |
What Are Emphatic Pronouns?
Emphatic pronouns in English grammar are special words ending in “-self” or “-selves” that add emphasis to the subject of a sentence. They include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. We use them to stress who did an action, making our statements stronger or clearer.
How to Identify Emphatic Pronouns
To identify emphatic pronouns, look for pronouns ending with “self” or “selves” that follow the main subject for emphasis. If you remove the pronoun, the sentence will still make sense, but without the stress or focus.
Examples of Emphatic Pronouns in Sentences
She herself completed the assignment before the deadline.
The manager himself approved the proposal.
We ourselves will deliver the project.
I myself saw the mistake.
You yourself can solve this question.
The children themselves organized the event.
The cat itself found the way home.
They themselves cooked dinner for everyone.
Why Are Emphatic Pronouns Important?
Emphatic pronouns are important for several reasons. They help express strong feelings, highlight responsibility, and clear up confusion about who did what. For exams and writing skills, using them correctly shows precise grammar and a good command of English.
Rules for Using Emphatic Pronouns
Use emphatic pronouns directly after the subject or at the end of the clause for emphasis.
Emphatic pronouns cannot stand alone. They must always refer back to the subject of the sentence.
Do not use an emphatic pronoun as the subject itself. For example, avoid “Myself will call you.”
Never use them in place of object pronouns (“Please contact myself” is incorrect; it should be “contact me”).
Emphatic Pronouns vs. Reflexive Pronouns
| Aspect | Emphatic Pronouns | Reflexive Pronouns |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Add emphasis to the subject | Show the subject and object are the same person/thing |
| Example | I myself baked the cookies. | I hurt myself while baking. |
| Can be removed? | Yes, sentence still makes sense | No, meaning changes without it |
For more details, see our page on Reflexive Pronouns.
Common Mistakes with Emphatic Pronouns
Incorrect: "If you have questions, please contact myself."
Correct: "If you have questions, please contact me."Incorrect: "Myself will attend the meeting."
Correct: "I myself will attend the meeting."Incorrect: Using "herself" or "himself" as the subject of a sentence.
Quick Quiz: Emphatic Pronouns Practice
Choose the correct emphatic pronoun to fill in the blanks:
She ________ sewed her dress. (a) herself (b) himself
You ________ made this possible! (a) yourselves (b) itself
The children decorated the room ________. (a) themselves (b) himself
He ________ solved the puzzle. (a) yourself (b) himself
We ________ drew all the diagrams. (a) ourselves (b) myself
When to Use Emphatic Pronouns in Daily English
Use emphatic pronouns when you want to stress who did something—especially if it is surprising, important, or contrasts with what others did. This is useful in exams, speeches, and even everyday talks.
More on Pronouns and Grammar Practice
- Types of Pronouns
- Reflexive Pronouns
- Personal Pronouns
- Pronoun Exercises
- Introduction to Pronoun
- Other Pronoun Categories
- Pronouns Quiz
- Reciprocal Pronouns
At Vedantu, we simplify grammar by using examples and clear rules. Mastering emphatic pronouns helps you add detail and power to your writing and speech.
In summary, emphatic pronouns let you highlight the doer of an action for extra emphasis. They are essential for good writing, better speaking, and success in English exams. Use the eight forms confidently and avoid common errors to make your English clear and effective.
FAQs on Emphatic Pronouns in English – Definition, Usage & Examples
1. What are emphatic pronouns in English?
Emphatic pronouns add emphasis to a noun or pronoun in a sentence. They are formed by adding -self or -selves to personal pronouns. The eight emphatic pronouns are: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. They highlight the subject's action or state of being.
2. What is the difference between reflexive and emphatic pronouns?
Both reflexive and emphatic pronouns use the -self/-selves forms, but their function differs. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of the verb (e.g., 'She hurt herself'). Emphatic pronouns simply add emphasis to the subject (e.g., 'She baked the cake herself'). The emphatic pronoun can be removed without changing the core meaning; removing the reflexive pronoun changes the sentence's structure and meaning.
3. Can you give five examples of emphatic pronouns in sentences?
Here are five examples using different emphatic pronouns:
- I painted the mural myself.
- You should trust your own judgment yourself.
- He completed the project himself.
- She made the decision herself.
- We cleaned the entire house ourselves.
4. What are the examples of emphatic pronouns?
The eight emphatic pronouns are: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. These pronouns emphasize the subject performing the action, not the action itself.
5. What are 10 examples of emphatic pronouns?
There are only eight emphatic pronouns in English. They are: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. Each is used to emphasize the subject performing an action.
6. What is an emphatic pronoun with example?
An emphatic pronoun adds emphasis to the subject of a sentence. For example: "I did it myself." The word 'myself' emphasizes that 'I' personally performed the action. Other examples include: "He built the house himself." or "They completed the task themselves."
7. What are emphatic pronouns in English?
Emphatic pronouns are words like myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. They emphasize the subject of the sentence, highlighting that the subject is performing the action. For example, 'I did it myself' emphasizes that the speaker, and no one else, performed the action.
8. What is the difference between reflexive and emphatic pronouns?
The key difference lies in their function. Reflexive pronouns show the subject receiving the action of the verb (e.g., 'He hurt himself'). Emphatic pronouns simply add emphasis to the subject, with the subject still performing the action (e.g., 'He built the house himself'). Removing the reflexive pronoun changes the sentence's meaning; removing the emphatic pronoun does not. Both use the -self/-selves forms.
9. When should I use emphatic pronouns?
Use emphatic pronouns when you want to emphasize that the subject is performing the action themselves and not someone else. They are generally used to add strength and clarity to a sentence and often appear near the end. For example, using "I did it myself" emphasizes personal responsibility.
10. Are emphatic pronouns the same as intensive pronouns?
Yes, emphatic pronouns are sometimes called intensive pronouns, especially in American English. Both terms describe pronouns that add emphasis to the subject of the sentence, such as: "I will do it myself." The function and usage are identical.
11. What is the meaning of emphatic pronouns?
Emphatic pronouns reinforce the subject of a sentence, stressing that the subject and not another entity is performing the action. For instance, 'I did it myself' emphasizes that the speaker personally performed the action. This adds clarity and weight to the statement.
