Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

When you are done, try the Reflexive and Intensive

Pronouns Quiz.
Reflexive and intensive pronouns are the
words myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself,
ourselves, yourselves, themselves. These words are
classified or grouped as reflexive depending on how
they are used in sentences. In the examples below the
reflexive and intensive pronouns are in italics.

Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of a

sentence:
I gave myself plenty of time to get to work.
You should let yourself into the house.
Jim bought himself a shirt.
Jill read to herself.
The dog scratched itself.
We treated ourselves to pizza.
You can make yourselves at home.
The children are able to dress themselves.

Intensive pronouns are the same words used to

smphasize the subject of the sentence. Intensive
pronouns usually appear right near the subject of the
sentence.

I myself am sick of the heat.

You yourself are responsible for this mess!
The president himself appeared at the rally.
The actress herself wrote those lines.
The cat itself caught the mouse.
We ourselves made the meal.
You yourselves can win this game.
The troops themselves helped the people escape
the burning building.

compound personal pronouns, reflexive pronouns,

intensive pronouns
Compound personal pronouns are compounds made from a personal pronoun and the
suffix -self (singular) or -selves (plural).

Structure
In the first and second person, the suffix is added to the possessive adjective my,
our or your:

First person: myself, ourselves

Second person: yourself, yourselves

However, in the third person, the suffix is added to the object pronoun him, her, it or them:

Third person: himself, herself, itself, themselves

Note: Avoid using third person compounds formed from possessive adjectives (hisself,
theirselves). These pronouns are non-standard.

Use
Compound personal pronouns may be used as reflexive pronouns or as intensive pronouns.

Reflexive pronouns reflect an action back onto the subject of a verb or of an infinitiveor onto a
possessive noun or pronounin the same sentence.
Matt caught sight of himself in the mirror.

The ski poles will help you to lift yourself up if you fall.

Lailas determination to put herself through college paid off.

My plan was to get myself a better job.

Intensive pronouns emphasize a noun or pronoun in the same sentence.

The students themselves created the sculpture.

I will speak to them myself.

Donts
Avoid the following common errors with compound personal pronouns.
1. Dont use a reflexive pronoun unless the noun or pronoun referred to appears in the
same sentence.

Correct: Megan bought tickets for John and herself.

Correct: I bought tickets for John and myself.

BUT

Incorrect: Megan bought tickets for John and myself.

In the last example, the reflexive pronoun is wrong because it has no word to refer to in the
same sentence. It should be replaced withme:

Correct: Megan bought tickets for John and me.

2. Dont overuse compound personal pronouns for emphasis:

I myself am personally responsible for the project.