Reflexive pronoun

Definition

A reflexive pronoun is a type of pronoun that refers back to the subject of the sentence, typically indicating that the subject performs an action on itself. These pronouns are essential for clarifying relationships between subjects and actions, often enhancing the meaning of sentences by providing context about who is affected by the action. Common reflexive pronouns include 'myself,' 'yourself,' 'himself,' 'herself,' 'itself,' 'ourselves,' 'yourselves,' and 'themselves.'

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding '-self' or '-selves' to certain personal pronouns.
2. They are used when the subject and the object of a verb are the same, such as in 'She taught herself to play the piano.'
3. Reflexive pronouns can also serve as objects of prepositions, like in 'He spoke to himself in the mirror.'
4. It is important to use reflexive pronouns correctly, as using them incorrectly can lead to confusion or awkward sentences.
5. Reflexive pronouns emphasize the action performed by the subject when they are used for emphasis, distinguishing them from regular object pronouns.

Review Questions

• How do reflexive pronouns enhance clarity in sentences compared to regular pronouns?
  • Reflexive pronouns enhance clarity by explicitly linking the subject of a sentence with its corresponding action, which can reduce ambiguity. For example, in the sentence 'He looked at himself in the mirror,' the reflexive pronoun 'himself' makes it clear that he is both performing and receiving the action. In contrast, using a regular pronoun like 'him' would create confusion about who is looking at whom.
• Discuss how intensive pronouns differ from reflexive pronouns in terms of usage and function within a sentence.
  • Intensive pronouns and reflexive pronouns may look similar, but they serve different purposes in sentences. Reflexive pronouns indicate that the subject is acting on itself, while intensive pronouns emphasize or add intensity to a noun or another pronoun without changing the meaning of the sentence. For instance, in 'I myself completed the project,' 'myself' emphasizes that I was the one who completed it, but it does not imply any action done on myself.
• Evaluate the role of reflexive pronouns in complex sentences, especially in maintaining grammatical structure and coherence.
  • In complex sentences, reflexive pronouns play a crucial role in maintaining grammatical structure and coherence by clearly showing relationships between different elements. For example, in a sentence like 'Although she doubted herself during the competition, she ultimately trusted her training,' the reflexive pronoun 'herself' clarifies who is experiencing doubt. This helps prevent misinterpretation and keeps the focus on how the subject interacts with their own actions and feelings. Proper use of reflexive pronouns can make complex ideas more understandable and cohesive.

Related terms

Pronoun:

A word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence, used to avoid repetition and make sentences clearer.

Intensive Pronoun: A pronoun that emphasizes a noun or another pronoun and is formed the same way as a reflexive pronoun, but serves a different function.

Subject: The part of a sentence that indicates who or what is performing the action, often accompanied by a verb.