What is Reflexive?
In grammar, "reflexive" refers to a pronoun that refers back to the subject of the sentence. Think of it as the subject "reflecting" back on itself.
Key Points:
* Pronouns: These are words that replace nouns (e.g., I, me, you, he, she, it, we, they).
* Subject: The person or thing performing the action in the sentence.
* Reflexive Pronouns: These are specific pronouns used to reflect back on the subject:
* Myself
* Yourself
* Himself
* Herself
* Itself
* Ourselves
* Yourselves
* Themselves
Examples:
1. "I hurt myself playing basketball."
* Subject: I
* Action: Hurt
* Reflexive Pronoun: Myself (refers back to "I")
2. "The cat washed itself after eating."
* Subject: The cat
* Action: Washed
* Reflexive Pronoun: Itself (refers back to "The cat")
3. "We congratulated ourselves on a job well done."
* Subject: We
* Action: Congratulated
* Reflexive Pronoun: Ourselves (refers back to "We")
When to Use Reflexive Pronouns:
* Direct Object: When the subject is both the performer and the receiver of the action (e.g., I cut myself).
* Emphasis: To emphasize that the subject is performing the action on themselves (e.g., She cooked the meal herself).
Important Note: Reflexive pronouns should always be used correctly. Don't use them when the subject is not the direct object.
Incorrect: "She gave the book to me." (Not reflexive)
Correct: "She gave the book to herself." (Reflexive)