Reflexive Pronouns helps you communicate about reflexive actions, independent action and emphasis. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can use reflexive pronouns when subject and object refer to the same person or for emphasis.
- Recognise and build the form: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Reflexive Pronouns for reflexive actions, independent action and emphasis. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
I cut myself while cooking.
Use 'myself' when 'I' performs and receives the action.
She taught herself to play the guitar.
'Taught herself' means she learned without a teacher.
The children dressed themselves.
Use the plural reflexive pronoun with 'the children'.
myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselvesKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use 'myself' when 'I' performs and receives the action.
- 'Taught herself' means she learned without a teacher.
- Use the plural reflexive pronoun with 'the children'.
- The reflexive pronoun emphasizes that we did it without help.
- Use 'yourself' when the implied subject 'you' receives the action.
Common mistakes
Not:I cut me while cooking.
Use:I cut myself while cooking.
Use 'myself' when 'I' performs and receives the action.
Not:She taught her to play the guitar.
Use:She taught herself to play the guitar.
'Taught herself' means she learned without a teacher.
Not:The children dressed them.
Use:The children dressed themselves.
Use the plural reflexive pronoun with 'the children'.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
We built the shelves ____.
ourselves
The reflexive pronoun emphasizes that we did it without help.
Be careful not to hurt ____.
yourself
Use 'yourself' when the implied subject 'you' receives the action.
The cat cleaned ____ after eating.
itself
Use 'itself' when an animal performs an action on itself.