Reflexive Pronouns

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It happened again last week. I was on the phone, and the person on the other end said, “Well, between yourself and myself…” I couldn’t help but chuckle. Reflexive pronouns have a way of sneaking into conversations where they don’t belong. If you’ve ever found yourself confused about when to use “myself” or “me,” you’re not alone. Let’s clear up the confusion!

What Are Reflexive Pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are special words that reflect back to the subject of the sentence. Think of them like a mirror for the subject. Here are the reflexive pronouns:

  • Singular: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself
  • Plural: ourselves, yourselves, themselves

When to Use Reflexive Pronouns

There are two main cases where reflexive pronouns are used:

  1. When the subject and object are the same:
    • Example: I hurt myself while cooking.
    • Here, “I” and “myself” refer to the same person.
  2. For emphasis or clarification:
    • Example: The CEO herself approved the decision.
    • In this case, “herself” adds emphasis, highlighting that the CEO personally took the action.

Common Mistakes

Reflexive pronouns often show up where they don’t belong. Here’s what to avoid:

  • Incorrect: Myself and John are going to the party.
  • Correct: John and I are going to the party.

A simple rule to remember: Don’t use reflexive pronouns unless they’re necessary. If you can use “I” or “me,” stick with those instead.

Quick Recap

  • Use reflexive pronouns when the subject and object are the same, or for emphasis.
  • Avoid using reflexive pronouns where simple personal pronouns like “I” or “me” would work.
  • Reflexive pronouns are like mirrors—use them wisely!
Reflexive Pronoun Example Sentence
myself I made this cake myself.
yourself You should treat yourself to a dessert.
himself He cut himself while chopping vegetables.
herself She taught herself how to play the guitar.
itself The cat cleaned itself after eating.
ourselves We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
yourselves You all should prepare yourselves for the exam.
themselves They introduced themselves at the meeting.

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