What is Intensive Pronoun? Definition, Examples, Exercise

If you have ever said something like ‘I made this cake myself,’ you have already used an intensive pronoun—even if you didn’t know it yet. This pronoun is used to emphasize the subject of the sentence. It adds force or focus, but it’s not required for the sentence to make sense.

In this article, we’ll explain about intensive pronouns, how they are different from reflexive pronouns, and how to use them correctly in your writing and speaking. Learning grammar doesn’t have to be hard, and today, we are making intensive pronouns super simple to understand.

What is Intensive Pronoun?

An intensive pronoun is a type of pronoun used to emphasize a preceding noun or pronoun in a sentence. It highlights the subject to show that they performed the action personally or with extra focus. 

Intensive pronouns include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. These pronouns are not necessary for the sentence’s basic meaning but add emphasis. 

For example, in the sentence ‘I baked the cake myself’, the word ‘myself’ emphasizes that I did it without help. Removing the intensive pronoun doesn’t change the core meaning but reduces the emphasis.

Examples of Intensive Pronouns

Here are some examples sentences using intensive pronouns. Each sentence uses this pronoun type to emphasize the subject’s direct involvement.

• She herself designed the entire wedding dress.
• The CEO himself approved the new policy.
• I myself witnessed the accident happen.
• We ourselves cleaned the entire house before the guests arrived.
• The kids themselves built the treehouse without any adult help.

Also Read: What are Pronouns? Check Definition, Classification, Types

List of Intensive Pronouns With Example Sentences

This section provides a clear list of intensive pronouns along with example sentences. Each pronoun is shown in context to help you understand how it is used to emphasize the subject in everyday communication and writing.

Intensive Pronouns	Use	Examples
Myself	Used to emphasize I as the subject.	I myself completed the report.
Yourself	Used to emphasize you (singular).	You yourself said it was true.
Himself	States that he is the one who did the action.	He himself fixed the computer.
Herself	Emphasizes she as the subject.	She herself designed the dress.
Itself	Used to focus on a thing or animal.	The machine itself shut down.
Ourselves	Emphasizes we as a group.	We ourselves managed the event.
Yourselves	Emphasizes you (plural).	You yourselves asked for this change.
Themselves	Emphasizes they as the subject.	They themselves admitted the mistake.

Also Read: Indefinite Pronouns Exercises with Answers

Key Differences Between Intensive and Reflexive Pronouns

Although they look the same, intensive and reflexive pronouns have different roles and affect sentence meaning in unique ways.

Feature	Intensive Pronouns	Reflexive Pronouns
Purpose	Used to emphasize the subject	Used when the subject and object are the same person or thing
Needed in sentence?	Not necessary (can be removed without changing the meaning)	Necessary (removing it changes or breaks the sentence)
Examples	I myself baked the cake	I baked the cake myself.
Sentence without a pronoun	I baked the cake. (Still correct)	I baked the cake. (Different meaning or incomplete)

Check out: Reflexive Pronoun Exercise

Intensive Pronoun Questions

Fill in the blanks with the correct intensive pronoun. Choose from: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves

1. I built this treehouse all by __________.
2. She __________ painted every wall in the room.
3. The dog __________ opened the back door.
4. You __________ told me the story.
5. We __________ made all the decorations.
6. The players __________  admitted they made a mistake.
7. He __________  fixed the broken chair.
8. You __________  all planned the surprise party?
9. The cat __________  climbed to the top of the cupboard.
10. I will do it __________ if no one else wants to help.

Answers:

1. myself
2. herself
3. itself
4. yourself
5. ourselves
6. themselves
7. himself
8. yourself
9. itself
10. myself

For more questions: Intensive Pronouns Worksheet with Answers: Free PDF

FAQs 

Read other blogs on Pronouns here:

What Are Object Pronouns?	Object Pronoun Exercise with Answers
What are Demonstrative Pronouns?	Pronoun Worksheet for Class 1
What Are Indefinite Pronouns?	Indefinite Pronouns Exercises
What are Reciprocal Pronouns?	Reciprocal Pronoun Exercise
What is Interrogative Pronoun?	Interrogative Pronoun Exercise

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