Reflexive Pronouns
* Used to refer back to the subject of the sentence.
* Show that the action of the verb is directed at the subject itself.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| myself | ourselves |
| yourself | yourselves |
| himself | themselves |
| herself | |
| itself | |
Examples:
* I hurt myself while playing basketball. (The action of hurting is directed back at the subject, "I")
* She dressed herself in a beautiful gown. (The action of dressing is directed back at the subject, "She")
* They congratulated themselves on a job well done. (The action of congratulating is directed back at the subject, "They")
Intensive Pronouns
* Emphasize the noun or pronoun they refer to.
* They are not essential to the sentence's meaning, and can be removed without changing the core idea.
Note: Intensive pronouns are *always* the same as reflexive pronouns.
Examples:
* I did the work myself. (Emphasizes that "I" did the work personally)
* She baked the cake herself. (Emphasizes that "She" baked the cake on her own)
* They painted the house themselves. (Emphasizes that "They" painted the house without help)
Key Differences:
* Reflexive: Essential to the sentence's meaning. The verb's action is directed at the subject.
* Intensive: Not essential to the sentence's meaning. They add emphasis to the subject.
How to Determine Which is Which:
* Ask if the pronoun is essential to understanding the sentence. If removing the pronoun changes the meaning, it's a reflexive pronoun.
* Look for emphasis. If the pronoun emphasizes the subject, it's an intensive pronoun.
Let me know if you have any other questions!