Reflexive Pronouns

In today’s lesson, we will be talking about reflexive pronouns. They are called reflexive because they refer back to the subject of a verb. We form them by adding the sufixes  -self (for singular pronouns) and -selves (for plural pronouns). 

When do we use reflexive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are used after certain verbs such as: cut, burn, enjoy, hurt, look at, amuse, dry, kill, satisfy, teach, etc. We use them when the subject and the object of the verb are the same person.

• I made myself a salad. (I made a salad for me)
• He’s cut himself while shaving. (He’s cut his own face)
• Enjoy yourselves! (refers back to the subject – you)
• We are looking at ourselves in the mirror. (we’re looking at us)
• Since the party was boring, we tried to amuse ourselves by playing cards. 
• She taught herself knitting. 

Notice the difference between yourself and yourselves:

• Milly, you can hurt yourself with that sharp knife.
• Rebecca and Alex, you can hurt yourselves.

When not to use reflexive pronoun

We do not use reflexive pronouns after the verbs relax, feel, concentrate, meet.

• I feel nervous. I can’t concentrate. (not I can’t concentrate myself).
• Shall we meet at 5 o’clock? (not shall we meet ourselves)

Reflexive pronouns cannot be used after a preposition of place. We normally use object pronouns after them.

• I don’t have my telephone with me.
• He saw a man standing next to him.

When to use BY

We use BY to emphasize that the subject of the verb did something alone.

• I cleaned the house by myself.
• Mary travelled to Turkey all by herself.

Take a look at these expressions with reflexive pronouns:

• Enjoy yourselves at the party!
• Start behaving yourselves, children!
• Make yourself at home!
• Help yourself to a drink!

Do the quiz to perfect your knowledge!

You may also be interested in these posts:

Indefinite Pronouns

Relative Pronouns in English

Reciprocal Pronouns: Each Other & One Another

Personal Pronouns One and Ones

WHO and WHOM

Relative Clauses with WHO, WHICH and THAT

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