The document provides exercises to practice identifying and using reflexive and intensive pronouns. It begins with two exercises identifying these pronouns in sentences. It then defines intensive pronouns and distinguishes them from reflexive pronouns. Examples are given of sentences using intensive pronouns to add emphasis. Two additional exercises involve choosing the correct intensive pronoun for blanks and identifying pronouns as reflexive or intensive.

1. EXERCISE 14
Identifying Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
Identify the reflective and intensive pronouns in each ofthe following sentences and indicate whether each
is reflexive or intensive.
1. I boughtmyselfa new pair of sunglasses for our trip to the beach.
2. The soldiers themselves do notwantto attack the enemyfort.
3. You can choose a lawyer yourself or one will be selected for you.
4. Charles himselfwill be piloting this aircraftacross the Atlantic.
5. Because she wanted to be like her sister,Renee forced herselfto practice each day.
6. I suggestthatyou yourselves figure out how to resolve this dispute.
7. After rescheduling three meetings,the presidentherselfconducted the meeting.
8. The accountants perjured themselves when testifying before Congress.
9. When Tim saw the battleship itself,he knew that he had chosen the right profession.
10. I consider myselffortunate to have escaped before the house collapsed.
EXERCISE 15
Understanding Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
Complete each ofthe following sentences with the correctreflexive or intensive pronoun.Then identify the pronoun
as either reflexive or intensive.
EXAMPLE
Julie _____ is coming here tonight.(herself,intensive)
1. I fixed the leaking head gasket______.
2. Fourteen tourists found ______ in an awkward situation when visiting the ruins.
3. Grabbing the microphone,Hannibal ______ spoke to the crowd.
4. The Corvette ______ is sitting in the garage waiting for you to start it.
5. Andy, Toby, and I ______ are going to build the garage.
6. The dogs barked ______ into a long,peaceful sleep.
7. We were forced to ask ______ if this projectshould continue or be scrapped.
8. Brooke likes to read ______ to sleep.
9. I’m guessing thatyou ______ will be responsible for fixing the damage.
10. The Smiths and we consider ______ honored to be invited on this trip.

2. EXERCISE 16
Using Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns in Your Writing
Write a paragraph to be shared with a classmate abouta goal that you recently achieved. Describe the
accomplishmentand how you achieved it. Correctly use at leastfive examples ofreflexive and intensive pronouns in
your paragraph.
What Is an Intensive Pronoun?
An intensive pronoun is almost identical to a reflexive pronoun. It is defined as
a pronoun that ends in self or selves and places emphasis on its antecedent by
referring back to another noun or pronoun used earlier in the sentence. For this reason,
intensive pronouns are sometimes called emphatic pronouns.
You can test a word to see whether it’s an intensive pronoun by removing it from the
sentence and checking to see if the sentence has the same impact.
Reflexive vs. Intensive Pronouns
You can tell the difference between a reflexive pronoun and an intensive pronoun
easily: Intensive pronouns aren’t essential to a sentence’s basic meaning.
Understanding this basic difference will help to prevent you from confusing the two.
Both intensive and reflexive pronouns end in the suffix –self or –selves, however
reflexive pronouns are always objects that refer to a sentence’s subject. The following
example shows a reflexive pronoun in action:
Jim made himself coffee.
Without the reflexive pronoun himself, it would be impossible for the reader to know who
Jim made coffee for.
In the next example, himself is used as an intensive pronoun. The reader would be able
to understand the sentence’s complete meaning without this pronoun, but it serves to
add emphasis:
Jim made coffee for the king himself.
Here, himself refers to the king rather than to Jim. The reader is meant to be impressed
that Jim made coffee for the king.

3. Common Intensive Pronouns
The following list contains the most commonly used examples of intensive pronouns.
 Himself
 Herself
 Yourself
 Themselves
 Ourselves
Intensive pronouns might not be necessary, but they serve the important function of
making your writing more interesting as well as more meaningful, particularly in formal
situations. Use them sparingly to ensure that the emphasis they provide isn’t lost.
Intensive Pronoun Examples
Intensive pronouns are used to add emphasis to statements. In the following examples,
the intensive pronouns have been italicized for ease of identification.
1. Jesse wondered aloud whether he himself was the only one seeing
what was happening.
2. Maria knew that she herself could make a positive impact on the world,
if only she put her mind to it.
3. You yourself can easily transform your body: All it takes is a proper diet
and plenty of exercise.
4. The team knew that they themselves were responsible for playing their
best.
5. We ourselves are the ones who make the greatest impact upon the
world we live in.
Intensive Pronoun Exercises
Choose the correct intensive pronoun to fill the blank in each sentence.
1. We built a garden shed by ______________.
A. Myself
B. Ourselves
C. Themselves
D. Himself
2. Jordan made _____________ a sandwich, complete with pickles.
A. Ourselves
B. Yourself
C. Himself

4. D. Themselves
3. I’m a little nervous about walking by _____________ after dark.
A. Myself
B. Ourselves
C. Themselves
D. Herself
4. The twins are growing up fast; they’re already walking by
_____________.
A. Myself
B. Ourselves
C. Himself
D. Themselves
5. Jennifer sewed her dress ____________.
A. Myself
B. Himself
C. Ourselves
D. Herself
Answer Key
1. B – We built a garden shed by ourselves.
2. C – Jordan made himself a sandwich, complete with pickles.
3. A – I’m a little nervous about walking by myself after dark.
4. D – The twins are growing up fast; they’re already walking
by themselves.
5. D – Jennifer sewed her dress herself.
Intensive vs. Reflexive Pronoun Exercises
Identify the italicized word as either a reflexive pronoun or an intensive pronoun.
1. Ben built a boat for himself
A. Reflexive pronoun
B. Intensive pronoun
2. My mother bakes our family’s bread herself.
A. Reflexive pronoun
B. Intensive pronoun
3. The mayor herself appeared at the rally.
A. Reflexive pronoun
B. Intensive pronoun
Answer Key

5. 1. A – Reflexive pronoun
2. B – Intensive pronoun
3. B – Intensive pronoun