STUDENT A

Reflexive Pronouns
SINGULAR myself yourself herself, himself, itself, oneself PLURAL ourselves yourselves themselves - I drew a picture of myself. - John drew a picture of himself. - Mary drew a picture of herself. - John and Mary drew pictures of themselves. - We drew pictures of ourselves. - Susan, you drew a picture of yourself, didnt you? - All of you drew pictures of yourselves, didnt you? - When one draws a picture of oneself, it is called a self-portrait. Compare (a) and (b). A reflexive pronoun is used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject and object of the sentence are the same person as in (b). *I and myself are the same person. Reflexive pronouns are also used for emphasis. In (d): The speaker said I myself strongly (i.e. with emphasis). The strong emphasis can follow a noun or pronoun as in (d), or come at the end as in (e). The expression by + a reflexive pronoun means alone.

(a) Larry was in the theater. I saw him. I talked to him. (b) I saw myself in the mirror. I looked at myself for a long time. (c) INCORRECT: I saw me in the mirror. - Did someone fax the report to Mr. Lee? - Yes. - Are you sure? (d) - Yes. I myself faxed the report to him. (e) - I faxed the report to him myself. (f) Anna lives by herself.

Practice Ask the questions in the left column to your partner. Only give a possible answer if your partner has trouble. Answer in complete sentences and repeat any answer given to you! My Questions Student B should say E.g. Junko was cooking. Who did she cut She cut herself with a knife. with a knife? 1. John made a stupid mistake. Who is he angry at for the mistake? 3. The Smiths visited their new neighbors to say hello. Who introduced them to the neighbors? 5. Who will protect the lion from danger? 7. Did someone help us finish question #6? 9. Lisa is a very smart girl. Who helps her do her homework? 11. I was lonely when I went to New York last year. Do you think I went there with someone? 13. Who is the crazy man talking to?! 15. Nobody helped the lost couple find He is angry at himself for the mistake. They (i.e. The Smiths) introduced themselves to the neighbors. It will protect itself from danger. No, we finished it ourselves. She does it herself. No, I think you went there by yourself.

He is talking to himself! They found the station themselves.

STUDENT A
the train station. How did they find it? 17. If you set a timer, you dont have to turn off this radio. Who will turn it off? 19. Who put your shoes on your feet today? It will turn off itself. Of course, I put them on myself!

STUDENT B
Reflexive Pronouns
SINGULAR myself yourself herself, himself, itself, oneself PLURAL ourselves yourselves themselves - I drew a picture of myself. - John drew a picture of himself. - Mary drew a picture of herself. - John and Mary drew pictures of themselves. - We drew pictures of ourselves. - Susan, you drew a picture of yourself, didnt you? - All of you drew pictures of yourselves, didnt you? - When one draws a picture of oneself, it is called a self-portrait. Compare (a) and (b). A reflexive pronoun is used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject and object of the sentence are the same person as in (b). *I and myself are the same person. Reflexive pronouns are also used for emphasis. In (d): The speaker said I myself strongly (i.e. with emphasis). The strong emphasis can follow a noun or pronoun as in (d), or come at the end as in (e). The expression by + a reflexive pronoun means alone.

(a) Larry was in the theater. I saw him. I talked to him. (b) I saw myself in the mirror. I looked at myself for a long time. (c) INCORRECT: I saw me in the mirror. - Did someone fax the report to Mr. Lee? - Yes. - Are you sure? (d) - Yes. I myself faxed the report to him. (e) - I faxed the report to him myself. (f) Anna lives by herself.

Practice Ask the questions in the left column to your partner. Only give a possible answer if your partner has trouble. Answer in complete sentences and repeat any answer given to you! My Questions Student A should say E.g. Junko was cooking. Who did she cut She cut herself with a knife. with a knife? 2. The dog is looking in the mirror. Who is the dog looking at? 4. Nobody killed Adolph Hitler. How did he die? 6. Nobody taught the children to use the new computer. How did they learn to use it? 8. Who will be hurt if I punch myself? 10. Who chooses your clothes when you go shopping? 12. If we dont study hard, who should we blame? 14. That old woman lives alone. Who takes care of her? 16. Mr. Smith is self-employed. He The dog is looking at itself. Hitler killed himself. They taught themselves (how) to use it. You will be hurt if you punch yourself! Of course, I choose them myself! We should blame ourselves (not the teacher!). She takes care of herself. He works for himself.

STUDENT B
doesnt have a boss. Who does he work for? 18. To be confident, who you have to believe in? 20. Who should write my homework report? I have to believe in myself. Of course, you yourself should write it!

Reflexive Pronouns ~ Question Practice

With your partner, take turns asking the questions below following the example dialogue. Example A: How do you enjoy yourself on the weekend? B: I usually enjoy myself by watching a movie. A: Oh, really? Where ? What kind ? How many ? Who ? What time ? [Ask one question] B: Well, I How do you enjoy yourself on the weekend? A: In my case, I enjoy myself by Questions 1. What have you bought yourself recently? 2. Have you ever hurt yourself before? 3. Do you prefer to live by yourself? Why or why not? 4. What did you promise yourself that you would do this year? (Have you been successful?) 5. How do you sometimes exhaust yourself? 6. When were you angry at yourself? 7. Have you ever locked yourself out of your home or car? 8. What would you like to teach yourself to do someday? 9. What can you do by yourself in order to save more money? 10. How do you motivate yourself when you dont feel like working or studying?