Know About Reflexive Pronouns

A reflexive pronoun refers to the one that is followed by the adjective, adverb, noun, or pronoun to which it corresponds, as long as the predecessor is contained inside the same phrase.

Reflexive pronouns within English grammar denote that the subject carrying out the verb’s action also tends to be the receiver of the activity. While this may appear unusual at first, the instances of reflexive pronouns would help one obtain a complete grasp. In fact, one might probably realise that reflexive pronouns are utilised a lot while writing or even speaking.

What are Reflexive Pronouns?

A reflexive pronoun is referred to as a form of pronoun which can be utilized for the object part of a verb whenever it corresponds to the very same noun as that of the verb’s subject. In the English language, reflexive pronouns are the ones whose endings denote “selves” or “self” such as “myself,” “himself”, “ourselves,” and so on.

When it comes to reflexive pronouns, these can be regarded as a rule:

If a verb’s subject, as well as the object, are the exact same, a reflexive pronoun is used in place of the object. If that is not the case, it must be avoided. 

Whenever the object and the subject of a phrase are identical, reflexive pronouns are applied. They are terms that finish in -selves or -self. They can function as indirect or direct objects. Myself, himself, yourself, herself, itself, oneself, yourselves, ourselves, and themselves are considered to be the nine reflexive pronouns.

Some reflexive pronoun examples include – 

• She loves to do all her chores by herself
• Ali feels proud of himself upon receiving the role as the lead actor

List of Reflexive Pronouns

• “Myself” goes along with “I”
• “Yourselves” goes along with the plural version of “you”
• “Herself” goes along with “she”
• “Yourself” goes along with the singular version of “you”
• “Himself” goes along with “he”
• “Itself” goes along with “it”
• “Themselves” goes along with “them”
• “Ourselves” goes along with “we”
• “Oneself” goes along with “one”

The above-mentioned list can be utilized to solve any kind of reflexive pronouns exercises. 

Proper Usage of Reflexive Pronouns

• Reflexive pronouns indicate that the part called “subject” is acting on or for itself
• The subject, rather than engaging with some other object, is reacting upon itself, be it literally or metaphorically
• This is particularly useful when utilising the third-person plurality

Take a look at these two sentences:

• They made them laugh.
• They were amusing themselves.

• In the first case, it’s unclear if “them” refers to anything else or the initial “they,” the statement’s noun/subject.
• We have a greater comprehension in the second case since we know that anything or anyone “they” represents is similar to “themselves.”

Reflexive Pronouns in the form of Objects

• The suffix of reflexive pronouns is a major distinguishing feature. These generally finish in -selves or -self and reference back to a pronoun or noun that would have been previously stated.

• As an illustration:

• I learned to play the piano by myself.
• You are the only one who is familiar with yourself.

• The noun or the subject in the first case is “I,” whereas the verb is “learn,” and the reflexive pronoun, “myself,” makes reference to the noun, which is “I.”
• In the second instance, the noun or the subject is “you, whereas” the verb is “know,” and the reflexive pronoun, which is “yourself,” makes reference to the noun, which is “you.” “Yourself” is the object as well, responding to the term “know.”

Reflexive Pronouns as Indirect or Direct Objects

• Reflexive pronouns could be referred to both indirect and direct objects. Whenever a reflexive pronoun seems to be a direct object, it functions similarly to the subject and gets the effect of a transitive verb, such as:

• I cut myself while chopping down the grass.
• The players have been preparing themselves for the upcoming tournament.

• If a reflexive pronoun is used as the indirect object, it explains for whom or why the particular action is undertaken. As an example:

• I bought myself an expensive meal.
• We’ll treat ourselves to a cheat day.

Reflexive Pronouns Portraying Independent Actions

We may apply reflexive pronouns in conjunction with the term “by” to signify “without assistance”. 

For instance – 

• She went to see the film by herself.
• The kids cleaned up their bedrooms by themselves.

Reflexive Pronouns in the form of Intensive Pronouns

• Intensive pronouns are a type of reflexive pronouns intended to highlight the antecedent or the subject of a phrase, frequently in the meaning indicating “and not somebody else.” Whenever a term terminating in -selves or -self is utilized as an intensive pronoun, the sense of the phrase does not alter considerably if it is removed.
• For instance – 

• Jack prepared his meal all by himself. (He didn’t have anybody else do it for him.)
• On Saturday, I closed the restaurant myself. (I didn’t have a staff member do it for me.)

Conclusion

A reflexive pronoun is a type of anaphoric pronoun which has to be coreferential to another nominal inside the same phrase in the English language and literature. A reflexive pronoun is one that ends in -selves or -self and refers to a previously mentioned pronoun or noun.

Reflexive pronouns refers to the type of pronouns which “reflects” back immediately onto the main subject of the statement. Such pronouns, which invariably finish in -selves or -self, such as myself or oneself, are necessary for comprehending the context of the phrase.