Emphatic Pronouns vs Reflexive Pronouns: A Clear Distinction
Both emphatic and reflexive pronouns use the same forms, but they serve different functions. Let's break down the key differences:
Emphatic Pronouns:
* Purpose: Emphasize the noun or pronoun they refer to. They add emphasis and stress to the sentence.
* Placement: Follow the noun or pronoun they emphasize, and are usually separated by a comma.
* Example:
* "I myself will go." (Emphasizes "I")
* "The queen herself gave the speech." (Emphasizes "queen")
Reflexive Pronouns:
* Purpose: Refer back to the subject of the verb. They indicate that the action of the verb is directed back to the subject.
* Placement: Appear within the verb phrase and cannot be separated by a comma.
* Example:
* "She hurt herself while playing." (The action "hurt" is directed back to "she")
* "They enjoyed themselves at the party." (The action "enjoyed" is directed back to "they")
Here's a table to summarize the differences:
| Feature | Emphatic Pronoun | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Emphasize the subject | Refer back to the subject |
| Placement | After the noun/pronoun | Within the verb phrase |
| Example | "I myself went." | "She hurt herself." |
Example Sentences to Compare:
* Emphatic: "The mayor himself signed the bill." (Emphasizes "mayor")
* Reflexive: "The mayor signed the bill himself." (Action is directed back to "mayor")
* Emphatic: "We ourselves will build the house." (Emphasizes "we")
* Reflexive: "We built the house ourselves." (Action is directed back to "we")
Remember: If you can remove the pronoun and the sentence still makes sense, it is likely an emphatic pronoun. If you cannot remove the pronoun without changing the meaning, it is probably a reflexive pronoun.