Are you looking for what are intensive pronouns in English grammar?
In English, we use words like himself, herself, or themselves in the sentence to add emphasis to its antecedent, and they are known as intensive pronouns. Learning correct use of these pronouns is essential for language learners because it helps them to communicate correctly and confidently.
In this article, you will learn what intensive pronouns are in English grammar, the types of intensive pronouns, the difference between intensive and reflexive pronouns, and how to use them in sentences correctly. Also, you will find some example sentences in which intensive pronouns are used so that you can understand the concept of intensive pronouns.
An intensive pronoun is defined as a pronoun that ends in self or self and places emphasis on its antecedent. Intensive pronouns are similar to reflexive pronouns in that they both end in self or self. However, they are different in one way, which will be discussed later in this article.
For example:
- I myself wrote the book.
- She herself clean the dishes.
- They themselves invite us to the party.
The words myself, herself, and themselves in the above examples are intensive pronouns.
List of Intensive Pronouns
- myself
- yourself
- himself
- herself
- itself
- ourselves
- yourselves
- themselves
How to Use Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns are used to add emphasis in the sentence. If you remove them from the sentence, the sentence will still make sense. You can use intensive pronouns sparingly in your writing to add emphasis, but it is recommended to use sparingly.
Difference Between Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
The difference between intensive and reflexive pronouns is easy to identify. To identify intensive pronouns in the sentence, simply remove it from the sentence. if the sentence still makes sense, then it is an intensive pronoun because an intensive pronoun is not essential to the basic meaning of the sentence. However, reflective pronouns are essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Consider the following example to differentiate intensive pronouns from reflexive pronouns.
- Did he himself make tea?
In the above sentence, the word “yourself” is an intensive pronoun that emphasizes its antecedent. Even if you remove the word himself from the sentence, it still makes sense.
- Did he himself make tea?
Example Sentences Using Intensive Pronouns
- She herself cooks food.
- They themselves come to invite us.
- We ourselves pack the luggage.
- He himself wrote the letter.
- He himself opens the door to receive the package.
- She herself applied for the new position.
- You yourself resigned from the job.
- He himself finished the project.
- It itself works well.
- They themselves sold their house.
Conclusion
An intensive pronoun is a type of pronoun that emphasizes its antecedent and ends with self or selves. Intensive pronouns are not essential to the sentence’s basic meaning, which means that if you remove an intensive pronoun from the sentence, the sentence’s basic meaning remains the same. However, reflexive pronouns are essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an intensive pronoun?
An intensive pronoun is a pronoun that ends in self or selves and places on its antecedent.
Frequently Asked Questions
The examples of intensive pronouns are myself, herself, himself, ourselves, themselves.
What is the difference between reflexive and intensive pronouns?
An intensive pronoun is not essential to the sentence’s basic meaning, and if you remove it from the sentence, the sentence will still make sense. However, reflexive pronouns is essential to the basic meaning of the sentence.
I hope this article helped you to learn intensive pronouns in English. You may also want to learn about reflexive pronouns in English grammar.
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