Reflexive And Intensive Pronouns 6u2e2o

Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns When you are done, try the Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Quiz. Reflexive and intensive pronouns are the words myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. These words are classified or grouped as reflexive depending on how they are used in sentences. In the examples below the reflexive and intensive pronouns are in italics.

Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of a sentence:  I gave myself plenty of time to get to work.  You should let yourself into the house.  Jim bought himself a shirt.  Jill read to herself.  The dog scratched itself.  We treated ourselves to pizza.  You can make yourselves at home.  The children are able to dress themselves.

Intensive pronouns are the same words used to smphasize the subject of the sentence. Intensive pronouns usually appear right near the subject of the sentence. 

 I myself am sick of the heat.  You yourself are responsible for this mess!  The president himself appeared at the rally.  The actress herself wrote those lines.  The cat itself caught the mouse.  We ourselves made the meal.  You yourselves can win this game.  The troops themselves helped the people escape the burning building.

compound personal pronouns, reflexive pronouns, intensive pronouns Compound personal pronouns are compounds made from a personal pronoun and the suffix -self (singular) or -selves (plural).

Structure In the first and second person, the suffix is added to the possessive adjective my, our or your: 

First person: myself, ourselves



Second person: yourself, yourselves

However, in the third person, the suffix is added to the object pronoun him, her, it or them: 

Third person: himself, herself, itself, themselves

Note: Avoid using third person compounds formed from possessive adjectives (hisself, theirselves). These pronouns are non-standard.

Use Compound personal pronouns may be used as reflexive pronouns or as intensive pronouns. 

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Reflexive pronouns reflect an action back onto the subject of a verb or of an infinitive—or onto a possessive noun or pronoun—in the same sentence. Matt caught sight of himself in the mirror.

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The ski poles will help you to lift yourself up if you fall.

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Laila’s determination to put herself through college paid off.

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My plan was to get myself a better job.

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Intensive pronouns emphasize a noun or pronoun in the same sentence.

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The students themselves created the sculpture.

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I will speak to them myself.

Don’ts Avoid the following common errors with compound personal pronouns. 1. Don’t use a reflexive pronoun unless the noun or pronoun referred to appears in the same sentence. 

Correct: Megan bought tickets for John and herself.



Correct: I bought tickets for John and myself.

BUT 

Incorrect: Megan bought tickets for John and myself.

In the last example, the reflexive pronoun is wrong because it has no word to refer to in the same sentence. It should be replaced withme: 

Correct: Megan bought tickets for John and me.

2. Don’t overuse compound personal pronouns for emphasis: 

I myself am personally responsible for the project.