Reflexive pronouns are pronouns that end in –self or -selves. The following table shows the various forms of reflexive pronouns:

Reflexive pronouns are used “to reflect” the subject of a sentence. For example, reflexive pronouns are often used when the subject and direct object in a sentence are the same or when the object of a preposition is referring back to the sentence’s subject. Let’s take a look at these examples:

Subject and Direct Object are Same

Tina stopped herself from falling off the boat dock.

(subject)       (object)

Object of Preposition Referring Back to Subject

The dog dug a shelter for itself in the dirt.

    (subject)                 (object)

However, reflexive pronouns may also be used when the writer wants to emphasize the subject.

Emphasis on Subject

I’ll complete the project myself.

(subject)

Problems typically occur when the singular, first person reflexive pronoun myself is incorrectly substituted for the personal pronouns I or me in a sentence. Let’s take a look at an example:

Incorrect: John and myself attended the funeral.

Correct: John and I attended the funeral.

In the incorrect example above, the singular, first person reflexive pronoun myself was incorrectly substituted for the first person, singular personal pronoun I. To avoid making this mistake, memorize the following rule: never use a reflexive pronoun unless it refers to a previous noun or pronoun named in the same sentence. (Note that there is no prior reference to the person known as “I” in the example sentence above).

Along with our website, we recommend the following site: The University of Oregon’s The Tongue Untied: Reflexive Pronouns page at http://grammar.uoregon.edu/pronouns/reflexive.html. This page features an extensive explanation of reflexive pronouns and offers a Pronoun Practice Exercise.

Test your understanding of reflexive pronouns by checking their use in each of the sentences below. If the sentence is correct as is, place a C next to it.

1. John and Marie cooked herself a five-course meal.

2. The dog ate by itself in the corner.

3. James and Meredith sat by themselves in the movie theatre.

4. Kerri went to the movies with Paul and myself.

Answers

1. John and Marie cooked themselves a five-course meal.

2. The dog ate by itself in the corner.  C

3. James and Meredith sat by themselves in the movie theatre.  C

4. Kerri went to the movies with Paul and me.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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