English Grammar: Reflexive pronouns can be tricky. Here we will try to explain simply how and when to use them.
What are Reflexive Pronouns?
| |
1st person |
2nd person |
3rd person |
| singular |
myself |
yourself |
herself/himself/itself |
| plural |
ourselves |
yourselves |
themselves |
When do we use Reflexive Pronouns?
- Use reflexive pronouns when the subject and the object is the same.
When NOT to use Reflexive Pronouns?
- When the subject and the object are not the same
| It’s not our fault. (The subject is IT, the object is FAULT) |
They blame themselves. (The subject is THEY, the object is THEMSELVES) |
| It’s our fault. (The subject is IT, the object is FAULT) |
He should blame himself. (The subject is HE, the object is HIMSELF) |
- Normally we do NOT use Reflexive Pronouns after verbs: wash/shower/shave/dress
| After practice she always showers. |
NOT: After practice she always showers herself. |
| Hurry up and get dressed! |
NOT: Hurry up and get dressed yourself. |
- We do NOT use Reflexive Pronouns after verbs such as feel/relax/concentrate/meet
| Try to concentrate on what you are doing. |
NOT: Try to concentrate yourself on what you are doing. |
| What time should we meet? |
NOT: What time should we meet ourselves? |
NOTICE THAT!
- Do not mix up each other or one another with Reflexive Pronouns. They have different meanings.
Other use for Reflexive Pronouns
- We can also use Reflexive Pronouns in order to emphasize who did something.
- He made the chair himself! (I am surprised that he was able to do that with his hands.)
- This is the first time we made dinner ourselves! (I am emphasizing that no one else helped us this time.)
English Grammar
Now that you have learned ‘English Grammar: Reflexive Pronouns’, take a look at our other English Grammar posts:
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Vocab Rehab: Used to, be used to, get used to
