We use a reflexive pronoun when the subject and object are the same. Let’s see the following reflexive pronouns.
- myself
- yourself
- himself
- herself
- ourselves
- themselves
- itself
The reflexive pronouns above are used when the subject and the object are the same. Let’s see the following examples.
- I don’t want you to pay for me. l’ll pay for myself.
- The man is talking to himself.
- Be yourself!
- The party was very great. We enjoyed ourselves very much.
- Don’t blame yourself!
The Verbs That Do Not Use Reflexive Pronouns
There are a few words that do not use reflexive pronouns, such as bring / take something with … Let’s see the following examples.
- I went out and took and umbrella with me. (not with myself)
- Bring your dictionary with you. ( not with yourself )
We do not use ‘myself’ etc. after feel / relax / concentrate.
- I feel great after having a swim.( not ‘I feel myself great’)
We do not normally use ‘myself etc. after wash / dress / shave:
- I got up, shaved, washed and dressed. (not ‘shaved myself etc.)
But we say: I dried myself.
Note how we use use meet What time shall we meet? (not ‘meet ourselves/meet us’)
The Difference Between Selves and Each Other
Study the difference between -selves and each other:
- Joe and Sue stood in front of the mirror and looked at themselves. (Joe and Sue looked at Joe and Sue.)
but: Joe looked at Sue and Sue looked at Joe. They looked at each other.
We can use one another instead of each other.
- How long have you and Bill known each other (one another)?
- My wife and my mother don’t like each other.
- My father-in-laws and I like each other. We often play chess together.
Reflexive Pronouns to Mean Alone Without Somebody Else’s Help
We also use myself etc. in another way. It is used to show that subject does something alone without somebody else’s help. Let’s see the following example.
- Who repaired your bicycle for you? Nobody. I repaired it myself. I repaired it myself = I repaired it, not anybody else.
- I’m not going to help you do this. You can do it yourself.
Reflexive Pronouns Exercises
Exercise I
Complete the sentences with these verbs. Use reflexive pronouns ( myself, yourself, etc. ) where necessary.
| dry concentrate enjoy feel relax wash meet |
- I really………………………….. well today -much better than yesterday.
- He climbed out of the pool, picked up a towel and…………………………
- I tried to study but I just couldn’t …………………………………………..
- Jack and I first …………………….. at a party five years ago.
- It was a lovely holiday. We really ……………… very much.
Exercise II
Complete the sentences with -selves or each other!
- Did they enjoy …….. when they were at the party?
- My brother and I don’t see ….. very often these days.
- Romeo and Juliet are very happy together. They love …… very much.
- Some people are very selfish. They only think of …..
- They build the house …… without others’ help.
Answers
Exercise I
- I really feel well today -much better than yesterday.
- He climbed out of the pool, picked up a towel and dried myself.
- I tried to study but I just couldn’t concentrate.
- Jack and I first met at a party five years ago.
- It was a lovely holiday. We really enjoyed ourselves very much.
Exercise II
- Did they enjoy themselves when they were at the party?
- My brother and I don’t see each other very often these days.
- Romeo and Juliet are very happy together. They love each other very much.
- Some people are very selfish. They only think of themselves.
- They build the house themselves without others’ help.
Download the exercises here.
Other Exercises
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