What is the meaning of intensive pronouns?

Intensive pronouns, also known as emphatic pronouns, are used to add emphasis to a noun or pronoun already mentioned in a sentence. They are formed by adding "-self" or "-selves" to a personal pronoun.

Here are some key points about intensive pronouns:

1. Function: They emphasize the noun or pronoun they refer to, highlighting the fact that the action is performed by that particular person or thing.

2. Not Necessary for Sentence Structure: Intensive pronouns can be removed from the sentence without changing the meaning significantly, but they would lose their emphasis.

3. Placement: They usually follow the noun or pronoun they are emphasizing.

4. Examples:

* "I did it myself." - "Myself" emphasizes that the speaker did the action alone.

* "The dog itself ate the whole cake." - "Itself" emphasizes that the dog was the sole eater, not another animal.

* "We built the house ourselves." - "Ourselves" emphasizes that the people involved did the building without help.

5. Distinction from Reflexive Pronouns: While both intensive and reflexive pronouns use "-self" or "-selves," they differ in function. Reflexive pronouns are required for the sentence to be grammatically correct, while intensive pronouns are optional and add emphasis.

Here's a table summarizing the differences:

| Feature | Intensive Pronoun | Reflexive Pronoun |

|----------------|--------------------|-------------------|

| Function | Emphasis | Object of verb or preposition |

| Necessity | Optional | Required |

| Example | "I did it myself." | "I washed myself." |

Understanding the difference between intensive and reflexive pronouns is crucial to ensure proper grammar and clear communication.