{"id":35966,"date":"2025-03-31T15:23:50","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T09:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/explore\/?p=35966"},"modified":"2025-03-31T15:23:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T09:53:50","slug":"what-are-reflexive-pronouns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/explore\/learn-english\/what-are-reflexive-pronouns\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Reflexive Pronouns: Definition, Rules and Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What are reflexive pronouns? <\/strong>These pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same. They end in \u201c-self\u201d (singular) or \u201c-selves\u201d (plural), like myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. They emphasise actions done by the subject itself, e.g., She taught herself French.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding reflexive pronouns is crucial for clear and grammatically correct communication. In this guide, we will explore their definition, formation, rules, and common mistakes, along with useful examples to help students master their usage effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Are Reflexive Pronouns?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Reflexive pronouns are special pronouns used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same person or thing. They end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural), such as myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. These pronouns help emphasise that someone is performing an action on themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, in She taught herself to play the piano, <\/em>the reflexive pronoun herself shows that she is both the teacher and the learner. Similarly, in \u2018They prepared themselves for the competition\u2019,<\/em> \u201cthemselves\u201d emphasises that they did the preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: What are Pronouns? Check Definition, Classification, Types<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Are Reflexive Pronouns Formed?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In our journey to learn \u2018what are reflexive pronouns?\u2019, we must also learn how to form these pronouns<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These pronouns follow a simple and consistent pattern. They are formed by adding -self <\/em>for singular pronouns and -selves<\/em> for plural pronouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singular Reflexive Pronouns<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Singular reflexive pronouns are created by taking a singular personal pronoun and adding the suffix -self<\/em>. They are used when the subject and object of a sentence refer to the same person or thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personal Pronoun<\/strong><\/td>Reflexive Pronoun<\/strong><\/td>Example Sentence<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
I<\/strong><\/td>myself<\/td>I taught myself to swim.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
You<\/strong><\/td>yourself<\/td>You should believe in yourself.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
He<\/strong><\/td>himself<\/td>He hurt himself while playing.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
She<\/strong><\/td>herself<\/td>She prepared herself for the test.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
It<\/strong><\/td>itself<\/td>The dog entertained itself with a toy.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Plural Reflexive Pronouns<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Plural reflexive pronouns are formed by taking a plural personal pronoun and adding the suffix -selves.<\/em> They are used when the subject and object of a sentence refer to the same group of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personal Pronoun<\/strong><\/td>Reflexive Pronoun<\/strong><\/td>Example Sentence<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
We<\/strong><\/td>ourselves<\/td>We enjoyed ourselves at the party.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
You<\/strong> (plural)<\/td>yourselves<\/td>You should take care of yourselves.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
They<\/strong><\/td>themselves<\/td>They introduced themselves to the team.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Check out: Pronoun Exercise with Answers: PDF Available<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

List of Reflexive Pronouns with Example Sentences<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence refer to the same person or thing. They help make sentences clearer and grammatically correct. Here is a list of these pronouns with example sentences for your understanding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflexive Pronoun<\/strong><\/td>Example Sentence<\/strong><\/td>Explanation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
myself<\/strong><\/td>I taught myself<\/strong> how to cook.<\/td>The subject I<\/em> is also the object.<\/td><\/tr>
yourself<\/strong><\/td>You should believe in yourself<\/strong>.<\/td>The subject \u2018you\u2019<\/em> and object are the same.<\/td><\/tr>
himself<\/strong><\/td>He injured himself<\/strong> while running.<\/td>He <\/em>is both the subject and object.<\/td><\/tr>
herself<\/strong><\/td>She prepared herself<\/strong> for the exam.<\/td>The subject \u2018she\u2019 <\/em>receives the action.<\/td><\/tr>
itself<\/strong><\/td>The cat cleaned itself<\/strong> after eating.<\/td>The cat <\/em>is both subject and object.<\/td><\/tr>
oneself<\/strong><\/td>One must take care of oneself<\/strong>.<\/td>Used for general or formal statements.<\/td><\/tr>
ourselves<\/strong><\/td>We enjoyed ourselves<\/strong> at the party.<\/td>The subject we<\/em> refers to the same group.<\/td><\/tr>
yourselves<\/strong><\/td>You should be proud of yourselves<\/strong>.<\/td>Used when talking to multiple people.<\/td><\/tr>
themselves<\/strong><\/td>They introduced themselves<\/strong> to the new neighbors.<\/td>They<\/em> are both performing and receiving the action.<\/td><\/tr>
myself<\/strong><\/td>I challenged myself<\/strong> to finish the race.<\/td>Reflexive pronouns emphasize self-action.<\/td><\/tr>
yourself<\/strong><\/td>You should reward yourself<\/strong> for your hard work.<\/td>Used to reflect on the same person.<\/td><\/tr>
himself<\/strong><\/td>He saw himself<\/strong> in the mirror.<\/td>He<\/em> is the subject looking at himself.<\/td><\/tr>
herself<\/strong><\/td>She comforted herself<\/strong> after a long day.<\/td>The subject she<\/em> is also the object.<\/td><\/tr>
itself<\/strong><\/td>The machine shut down by itself<\/strong>.<\/td>Used to describe actions happening automatically.<\/td><\/tr>
oneself<\/strong><\/td>One should respect oneself<\/strong>.<\/td>Used in formal\/general contexts.<\/td><\/tr>
ourselves<\/strong><\/td>We prepared ourselves<\/strong> for the journey.<\/td>We<\/em> and ourselves<\/em> refer to the same group.<\/td><\/tr>
yourselves<\/strong><\/td>You all should take care of yourselves<\/strong>.<\/td>Used when addressing a group.<\/td><\/tr>
themselves<\/strong><\/td>The students organized themselves<\/strong> into groups.<\/td>Students<\/em> both perform and receive the action.<\/td><\/tr>
himself<\/strong><\/td>He reminded himself<\/strong> about the meeting.<\/td>He<\/em> and himself <\/em>refer to the same person.<\/td><\/tr>
herself<\/strong><\/td>She taught herself<\/strong> how to paint.<\/td>She<\/em> both teaches and learns.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Check out:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subject Pronouns Exercises with Answers<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr>
What are Relative Pronouns? Your Complete Guide<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How, When, and Why We Use Reflexive Pronoun<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A reflexive pronoun makes sentences clearer and helps avoid confusion. They show that the subject and object are the same person or thing. To understand it more clearly, let us break down how, when, and why we use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do We Use Reflexive Pronoun?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A reflexive pronoun reflects back to the subject in a sentence. Instead of using a regular object pronoun, we use a reflexive pronoun when the subject acts on itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n