REFLEXIVE AND
INTENSIVE PRONOUNS
-siRrhoye’s
REFLEXIVE PRONOUN is a
pronoun that refers to the
subject and is necessary to
the basic meaning of the
sentence.
myself
yourself yourselves
herself ourselves
himself themselves
itself
Students who cheat on the exam
are only hurting themselves.
“themselves” is a REFLEXIVE
PRONOUN; the person to
whom that pronoun reflects
is “students”.
RULE TO REMEMBER:
Whenever there is a REFLEXIVE
PRONOUN in the sentence, there
must be a person to whom that
pronoun can “reflect”.
IN OTHER WORDS…
Please hand that book to myself.
…is incorrect because there is no
“I” or “me” in that sentence for
myself to reflect to.
NEVER USE:
“hisself” or “theirselves”
WRONG = The boy made hisself breakfast.
USE:
“himself” or “themselves”
RIGHT = The boy made himself breakfast.
We helped ourselves to the cake.
CORRECT… “ourselves” reflects “we”
CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
Bob and myself are responsible for you.
INCORRECT… the “self” part of “myself”
is not necessary... just use Bob and me
CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
They made dinner for theirselves.
INCORRECT… “theirselves” is not a
word… use “themselves”
CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
These decisions will be made by myself.
INCORRECT… the “self” part of “myself”
is not necessary… just use “me”
CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
I gave that book to myself last year.
CORRECT… “myself” reflects “I”
CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
Remember, the REFLEXIVE
PRONOUN is necessary to
understand the meaning of a
sentence. If the same pronouns are
used, but not needed, they are
called INTENSIVE PRONOUNS.
EXAMPLES:
REFLEXIVE – The boy made himself breakfast.
INTENSIVE – The boy himself made breakfast.
Dan himself did not know where he put his
pencil.
INTENSIVE – himself is not necessary to
the basic meaning of the sentence.
IDENTIFY THE PRONOUN AS REFLEXIVE
OR INTENSIVE.
I read the book myself.
INTENSIVE – myself is not necessary to
the basic meaning of the sentence.
IDENTIFY THE PRONOUN AS REFLEXIVE
OR INTENSIVE.
The kangaroo made itself dizzy.
REFLEXIVE – itself reflects kangaroo.
IDENTIFY THE PRONOUN AS REFLEXIVE
OR INTENSIVE.
Michael and Jordan did the work
themselves.
INTENSIVE – themselves is not
necessary to the basic meaning of the
sentence.
IDENTIFY THE PRONOUN AS REFLEXIVE
OR INTENSIVE.
Lesson 30

Lesson 30

  • 2.
  • 3.
    REFLEXIVE PRONOUN isa pronoun that refers to the subject and is necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence. myself yourself yourselves herself ourselves himself themselves itself
  • 4.
    Students who cheaton the exam are only hurting themselves. “themselves” is a REFLEXIVE PRONOUN; the person to whom that pronoun reflects is “students”.
  • 5.
    RULE TO REMEMBER: Wheneverthere is a REFLEXIVE PRONOUN in the sentence, there must be a person to whom that pronoun can “reflect”. IN OTHER WORDS… Please hand that book to myself. …is incorrect because there is no “I” or “me” in that sentence for myself to reflect to.
  • 6.
    NEVER USE: “hisself” or“theirselves” WRONG = The boy made hisself breakfast. USE: “himself” or “themselves” RIGHT = The boy made himself breakfast.
  • 7.
    We helped ourselvesto the cake. CORRECT… “ourselves” reflects “we” CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
  • 8.
    Bob and myselfare responsible for you. INCORRECT… the “self” part of “myself” is not necessary... just use Bob and me CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
  • 9.
    They made dinnerfor theirselves. INCORRECT… “theirselves” is not a word… use “themselves” CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
  • 10.
    These decisions willbe made by myself. INCORRECT… the “self” part of “myself” is not necessary… just use “me” CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
  • 11.
    I gave thatbook to myself last year. CORRECT… “myself” reflects “I” CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
  • 12.
    Remember, the REFLEXIVE PRONOUNis necessary to understand the meaning of a sentence. If the same pronouns are used, but not needed, they are called INTENSIVE PRONOUNS. EXAMPLES: REFLEXIVE – The boy made himself breakfast. INTENSIVE – The boy himself made breakfast.
  • 13.
    Dan himself didnot know where he put his pencil. INTENSIVE – himself is not necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence. IDENTIFY THE PRONOUN AS REFLEXIVE OR INTENSIVE.
  • 14.
    I read thebook myself. INTENSIVE – myself is not necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence. IDENTIFY THE PRONOUN AS REFLEXIVE OR INTENSIVE.
  • 15.
    The kangaroo madeitself dizzy. REFLEXIVE – itself reflects kangaroo. IDENTIFY THE PRONOUN AS REFLEXIVE OR INTENSIVE.
  • 16.
    Michael and Jordandid the work themselves. INTENSIVE – themselves is not necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence. IDENTIFY THE PRONOUN AS REFLEXIVE OR INTENSIVE.