What are reflexive pronouns?
Reflexive pronouns are pronouns that refer back to the subject of the sentence. They show that the person or people in the sentence are doing something to themselves.
- I taught myself to whistle.
- She looked at herself in the mirror.
- They prepared themselves for the game.
Reflexive pronouns always end with “-self” or “-selves.” They connect the action back to the person who is doing it.
How are reflexive pronouns formed?
Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding “-self” for singular subjects and “-selves” for plural subjects.
- I → myself
- you → yourself
- he → himself
- she → herself
- it → itself
- we → ourselves
- you (plural) → yourselves
- they → themselves
Make sure the reflexive pronoun matches the subject in number (singular or plural) and meaning.
When do we use reflexive pronouns?
We use reflexive pronouns when the subject and the object are the same person or group. They show that the action returns to the person who is doing it.
- He hurt himself during recess.
- We reminded ourselves to be on time.
- You should be proud of yourself.
If someone does an action to the same person or group, a reflexive pronoun is needed.
Common reflexive pronouns to know
Here are the reflexive pronouns you will see and use most often:
- myself
- yourself / yourselves
- himself
- herself
- itself
- ourselves
- themselves
Use “yourself” when speaking to one person and “yourselves” when speaking to more than one person.
Using reflexive pronouns in sentences
Reflexive pronouns help sentences sound complete and clear when the action returns to the subject.
- Sarah challenged herself to learn something new.
- The students organized themselves into groups.
- I told myself to stay calm.
Read the sentence aloud. If the person does the action to the same person, the reflexive pronoun is correct.
Common mistakes to avoid
Sometimes reflexive pronouns are used incorrectly. Make sure they match the subject and are truly needed.
- Do not say: “Me and myself went.” Correct: “I went.”
- Do not say: “Himself went to school.” Correct: “He went to school.”
- Do not use a reflexive pronoun if the action is not done to the same person.
Use reflexive pronouns only when they are needed to make the meaning clear and correct.