Reflexive pronouns are words like myself, yourself, himself, and herself. They show actions that a person does to themselves or for themselves. These pronouns can help us tp talk about doing things alone or any without help.
Reflexive Pronouns with Examples In English
What are Reflexive Pronouns?
A reflexive pronoun is a pronoun that is used as an object and refers to the same person or thing as the subject. These pronouns are very important for indicating actions where the subject and object are the same entity.
I saw myself in the mirror.
The baby fed itself with a spoon.
They taught themselves how to swim.
She hurt herself while running.
Uses of Reflexive Pronoun:
Reflexive pronouns are used for several purposes in language:
1. The reflexive pronoun is used to reflect the action of the verb back onto the subject of the sentence.
He injured himself while playing soccer.
She saw herself in the mirror and smiled.
2. it can also be emphasized that the subject performed an action independently or for themselves.
She solved the puzzle herself without any help.
He cleaned the entire house himself.
3. Reflexive pronouns help us to avoid confusion when the subject and object of a sentence are the same entity.
He saw himself in the mirror.
She wrote a letter to herself.
4. Reflexive pronouns can also be used to form reciprocal relationships, where the action is mutual or shared between two or more subjects.
They hugged each other tightly.
We helped each other with our homework.
Reflexive pronouns as intensive pronouns
Reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) can also function as intensive pronouns to emphasize the subject of a sentence. They often appear right after the noun they emphasize or later in the sentence for added effect. For example, I myself finished the project, highlights the subject’s effort, She herself baked the cake, emphasizes her personal involvement, and The president himself made the speech, emphasizes his direct action.
Reflexive Pronouns Examples:
I made the cake myself.
She completed the assignment herself.
He fixed the car himself.
The cat cleaned itself.
We decorated the house ourselves.
You should prepare for the exam yourself.
They organized the event themselves.
She taught herself to play the piano.
The children entertained themselves during the trip.