Reflexive Pronouns vs. Intensive Pronouns: Key Differences and Examples
Reflexive pronouns are words that refer back to the subject in a sentence. They are essential for writing accurate sentences in school, doing well in English exams, and when communicating in everyday life. Learning them helps you avoid common grammar mistakes and improves your confidence in both spoken and written English.
List of Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns in English end with “-self” or “-selves.” Use them when the subject and object of a verb are the same.
- Myself
- Yourself
- Himself
- Herself
- Itself
- Ourselves
- Yourselves
- Themselves
- Oneself
Example: She taught herself to play guitar.
Rules for Using Reflexive Pronouns
- Use a reflexive pronoun when the subject and object are the same.
- Avoid using reflexive pronouns as a subject.
- After most prepositions, use reflexive pronouns if referring to the subject.
- Do not use “myself,” “yourself,” etc., as a substitute for standard object pronouns.
Correct: I made it myself.
Incorrect: Sarah or myself will call you.
Reflexive vs Intensive (Emphatic) Pronouns
| Reflexive Pronoun | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Himself (reflexive) | Points the action back to the subject | He built the house himself. |
| Himself (intensive) | Adds emphasis to the subject | The doctor himself called today. |
Without the intensive pronoun, the main meaning remains. For reflexive, removing it changes the meaning.
Example Sentences With Reflexive Pronouns
- I finished the homework by myself.
- He hurt himself while running.
- She looked at herself in the mirror.
- We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
- You should believe in yourself.
- The cat cleaned itself quickly.
- They introduced themselves to the group.
- Please help yourselves to snacks.
- One should take care of oneself.
- The children dressed themselves this morning.
Common Mistakes With Reflexive Pronouns
- Do not use “myself” as a subject or with another noun as in “Maria and myself went.”
- Never use a reflexive pronoun when a normal object pronoun fits, such as “She gave the book to myself.”
- A reflexive pronoun should only refer to the subject in the same clause.
- Double reflexive forms like “theirselves” are incorrect.
Short Summary
Reflexive pronouns are words ending in “-self” or “-selves” that refer to the subject of the sentence. They show that an action returns to the doer. By learning their correct forms and usage rules, students avoid common grammar errors. Mastery helps in exams and everyday communication. At Vedantu, these English grammar concepts are explained with easy examples for every learner.
FAQs on Reflexive Pronouns – Definition, List, Rules & Examples
1. What is a reflexive pronoun and give examples?
A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of the sentence. It shows the action of the verb is directed back to the subject. Examples include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. For instance: "He hurt himself," or "They rewarded themselves with a vacation."
2. Are there 8 or 10 reflexive pronouns in English?
There are eight reflexive pronouns in English: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. Sometimes, oneself is included, but it's less common and usually only used to refer to a person whose gender is unspecified.
3. What is the difference between reflexive and intensive pronouns?
Both reflexive and intensive pronouns end in -self or -selves, but their function differs. Reflexive pronouns show the action of the verb is directed back to the subject (e.g., "She cut herself"). Intensive pronouns emphasize the subject (e.g., "The President himself announced the news"). The intensive pronoun can be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning.
4. Can you use reflexive pronouns after prepositions?
Yes, reflexive pronouns can follow prepositions. For example: "She spoke well of herself," or "He kept the secret to himself."
5. Give 10 examples of reflexive pronouns in sentences.
- I made myself a sandwich.
- You should be proud of yourself.
- He taught himself to play the guitar.
- She bought herself a new dress.
- The cat cleaned itself.
- We helped ourselves to more food.
- They expressed themselves clearly.
- The children amused themselves with games.
- Let's congratulate ourselves on a job well done.
- The team looked at the strategy and decided they needed to regroup themselves for the coming match.
6. Can reflexive pronouns ever serve as the subject of a sentence?
No, reflexive pronouns cannot be the subject of a sentence. They must refer back to a subject already present in the sentence.
7. What errors do learners most often commit with reflexive pronouns?
Common errors include using reflexive pronouns incorrectly in compound subjects or objects (e.g., "Myself and John went..." instead of "John and I...") and using a reflexive pronoun where a regular object pronoun is needed (e.g., "Send it to myself" instead of "Send it to me").
8. How do languages other than English handle reflexive pronouns?
Many languages use different grammatical structures or specific reflexive verb conjugations instead of separate reflexive pronouns like English. The specific patterns vary greatly across languages.
9. Are there contexts where a reflexive pronoun is incorrect despite the subject and object matching?
Yes. Sometimes, using a reflexive pronoun sounds unnatural even if the subject and object are the same. For instance, "I saw myself in the mirror" is correct, but "I shaved myself" is more natural than "I shaved myself." Context and natural English usage are crucial.
10. What are the rules for reflexive pronouns in formal vs. informal English?
The core grammatical rules remain the same. However, informal English may allow for slightly more flexibility or omission of reflexive pronouns in certain contexts than formal English, where more precise and grammatically correct usage is expected.
11. How do reflexive pronouns add meaning or emphasis in spoken communication?
In spoken communication, reflexive pronouns can add emphasis, clarity, or a nuance of self-involvement. For example, "I did it myself" conveys greater personal agency than "I did it."
