Understanding Reflexive Pronouns: A Simple Guide

Reflexive pronouns are words that we use when the person or thing doing the action is also the one receiving the action. Reflexive pronouns help us talk about actions that we do to ourselves, like cutting our hair or buying ourselves a gift.

How to Identify Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns always end in “-self” (singular) or “-selves” (plural). They refer back to the subject of the sentence, meaning the subject and object are the same person or thing.

Examples of Reflexive Pronouns

1. Myself

Used when referring to “I” as the subject.
I cut myself while chopping vegetables.

2. Yourself

Used when referring to “you” (singular).
Did you enjoy yourself at the party?

3. Himself

Used when referring to “he” as the subject.
He fixed the car himself.

4. Herself

Used when referring to “she” as the subject.
She looked at herself in the mirror.

5. Themselves

Used when referring to “they” as the subject.
They prepared the meal themselves.

How to Use Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used in the following situations:

1. When the Subject and Object Are the Same

Used when the action is done by the subject to itself.
He introduced himself to the guests.

2. For Emphasis (with “by” + Reflexive Pronoun)

Used to stress that the subject performed the action without help.
She finished the project by herself.

3. To Show That Someone Did Something Alone

Indicates that the action was done without assistance.
I cleaned the house by myself.

Reflexive Pronouns vs. Other Pronouns

Unlike object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them), reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object refer to the same person or group.

Object Pronoun	Explanation	Reflexive Pronoun	Explanation
She saw him.	Him refers to a different person. The action of seeing is directed toward someone else.	She saw herself in the mirror.	Herself refers back to she. The action is directed at the same person.
They invited us to the party.	Us refers to a different group of people.	They enjoyed themselves at the party.	Themselves shows that they had fun on their own.
He completed the project for them.	Them refers to other people. The action is done for others.	He completed the project by himself.	By himself emphasizes that he did it alone, without help.

Example Sentences

• He taught himself to play the piano.
• We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
• The cat cleaned itself.
• They built the treehouse by themselves.
• I made breakfast by myself this morning.
• She reminded herself to double-check her work.
• He found himself lost in a new city.
• We treated ourselves to a nice dinner after a long week.
• They challenged themselves to run a marathon.
• You can trust yourself to make the right decision.

Rules for Using Reflexive Pronouns

1. Use reflexive pronouns when the subject and object are the same.

• She prepared herself for the exam.
• They enjoyed themselves at the picnic.

2. Use reflexive pronouns after prepositions for emphasis.

• He did it by himself.
• She solved the problem by herself.

3. Use reflexive pronouns to show that someone did something alone.

• I built the treehouse myself.
• We painted the entire house ourselves.

4. Avoid using reflexive pronouns for regular actions.

• Incorrect: I brushed myself.
• Correct: I brushed my teeth.

5. Use reflexive pronouns for emphasis to reinforce the subject’s actions.

• She herself baked the cake.
• He himself led the team to victory.

Common Mistakes with Reflexive Pronouns

1. Using a reflexive pronoun when it’s not needed:

• Incorrect : He gave the book to myself.
• Correct : He gave the book to me.

2 Using a regular pronoun instead of reflexive when needed:

• Incorrect: I hurt me.
• Correct : I hurt myself.

3 Overusing “by” + reflexive pronoun when it’s unnecessary:

• Incorrect : I cooked dinner by myself for no reason.
• Correct : I cooked dinner.

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