Reflexive Pronouns: Definition & Examples

What are reflexive pronouns in English grammar?

Reflexive pronouns are pronouns that reflect back to the subject, but how do they work, and what are some examples?

In this article, you will learn what the reflexive pronouns are, how they work, and what are some examples of them. We will explain what reflexive pronouns ae and how to use them correctly.

What are reflexive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are words ending in -self or -selves that are used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same (e.g., I believe in myself). They can act as either objects or indirect objects. 

Reflexive pronouns 

The nine English reflexive pronouns are:

1. myself
2. yourself
3. himself
4. herself
5. oneself
6. itself
7. ourselves
8. yourselves
9. themselves

Reflexive pronouns are direct or indirect objects

A reflexive pronoun can be a direct object in a sentence when the subject and the direct object are one and the same. 

Examples:

• Jack decided to reward Mary with a dinner out. 
• Jack decided to reward himself with a dinner out.

Reflexive pronouns can also play the indirect object role in a sentence.

Examples:

• He knitted himself a new sweater. 
• Cynthia pours herself a cup of tea every morning. 

Common Errors with Reflexive Pronouns

The most common mistake of all is the incorrect use of reflexive pronouns in compound subjects or compound objects in a sentence. 

Example:

• Andrew and myself will conduct today’s meeting. (Incorrect)

Clearly, myself does not work, but the subject pronoun I does.

Examples:

• Andrew and I will conduct today’s meeting.

The improper use of reflexive pronons as object is just as prevalent in today’s business world. 

Examples:

• You may submit your expenses to Mr. Martin or myself before Friday.

The subject of this sentence is you, and the indirect objects are Mr. Martin and the speaker. Taking Mr. Martin out of the sentence will reveal that myself will not work. Rather, the sentence requires the object pronon me.

• You may submit your expenses to me before Friday. 
• You may submit your expenses to Mr. Martin or me before Friday.

Reflexive Pronouns as Intensive Pronouns

Intensive pronouns are reflexive pronouns that are used to emphasize the subject or antecedent in a sentence, often in the sense of “and not someone else.” You can tell when a word ending in -self or -selves is being used as in intensive pronoun because the sentence it is part of will not change in meaning significantly if you remove it.

Examples:

• Jack made his supper himself. (no one else did it for him)
• I closed the store on Saturday myself. (I didn’t have an employee to do it.)
• We ourselves were forced to pilot the boat to safety. (Perhaps the captain was indisposed.)

Reflexive Pronouns for the Singular They

When one thing belongs to two or more people jointly, make only the final name possessive:

• Every parent needs to take a break for themselves now and again. 
• Every parent needs to take a break for himself or herself now and again. 
• Every parent needs to take a break for him- or herself now and again.

I hope this article helped you to learn what reflexive pronouns are, how to correctly use them, and examples of sentences using reflexive pronouns.

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