Reflexive Pronouns

What are reflexive pronouns in English?

Reflexive pronouns are words ending in -self (singular) or -selves (plural) that refer back to the subject of the sentence. They are used when the subject and object of a verb are the same person or thing. English has eight reflexive pronouns, one for each personal pronoun.

The 8 Reflexive Pronouns

Singular Forms

• I → myself
• you → yourself
• he → himself
• she → herself
• it → itself

Plural Forms

• we → ourselves
• you (plural) → yourselves
• they → themselves

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When do you use reflexive pronouns?

Use a reflexive pronoun when the subject and object of the verb are the same person or thing. The reflexive pronoun "reflects" the action back to the subject. This is the core rule — the subject performs the action on itself.

Subject = Object (True Reflexive)

"He cut himself while shaving." — He cut his own body.

After Certain Verbs

"She taught herself French." — teach, introduce, help, enjoy, blame, express, prepare + reflexive.

After Prepositions (Referring to Subject)

"She bought a present for herself." — When the preposition's object = the subject.

In Fixed Expressions

"Enjoy yourself!", "Help yourself", "Behave yourself", "Make yourself at home."

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Which English verbs need reflexive pronouns?

Unlike many European languages, English uses reflexive pronouns with relatively few verbs. These are verbs where the subject does something to their own body, mind, or situation. The reflexive is required because without it, the meaning changes or the sentence is incomplete.

Which verbs DON'T need reflexives in English?

This is one of the biggest differences between English and other European languages. Many daily routine verbs that are reflexive in Spanish, French, German, Italian, and other languages do not take a reflexive pronoun in English. Adding one sounds unnatural or changes the meaning.

English vs Other Languages

Daily Routines

wash, dress, shave, shower, bathe, change (clothes)

Mental States

feel, relax, concentrate, complain, worry, remember

Body Movements

stand up, sit down, wake up, get up, lie down, turn around

Social Actions

meet (= encounter), hide, move (house), decide, prepare (= get ready)

What are emphatic reflexive pronouns?

Emphatic (or intensive) reflexive pronouns are used to stress that someone did something personally, without help, or that it is surprising. Unlike true reflexives, they can be removed without changing the grammar — they only add emphasis.

Two Possible Positions

After the Subject

• "I myself spoke to the manager."
• "The president herself called me."
• "The children themselves cleaned the room."

At the End of the Clause

• "I spoke to the manager myself."
• "The president called me herself."
• "The children cleaned the room themselves."

What is the difference between "each other" and "themselves"?

This is a crucial distinction. "Each other" (reciprocal) means A does something to B and B does something to A — the action goes between people. "Themselves" (reflexive) means each person does the action to their own self.

What does "by myself" mean?

The pattern "by + reflexive pronoun" has two related meanings: alone (without company) or without help (independently). Context determines which meaning applies. This pattern works with all eight reflexive pronouns.

What are common mistakes with reflexive pronouns?

Learners make three main types of errors with reflexive pronouns: using non-standard forms ("hisself"), adding unnecessary reflexives (L1 transfer), and forgetting required reflexives. Here are the most common mistakes and how to fix them.