What is reflexive pronoun and examples 2024?

Reflexive pronouns are a special type of pronoun that are used when the subject and the object of a sentence refer to the same entity. This means that the action of the verb is being reflected back onto the subject. They are often used to indicate that the subject is performing an action on itself. Reflexive pronouns are essential in English to convey the correct meaning in sentences where the subject and object are the same person or thing.

### Formation of Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding a suffix to the corresponding personal pronoun. Here's a list of the reflexive pronouns corresponding to the personal pronouns:

- First person singular: I -- myself
- Second person singular: you -- yourself
- Third person singular (masculine): he -- himself
- Third person singular (feminine): she -- herself
- Third person singular (neuter): it -- itself
- First person plural: we -- ourselves
- Second person plural: you -- yourselves
- Third person plural: they -- themselves

### Usage of Reflexive Pronouns


1. When the Subject and Object are the Same: Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject of the sentence is also the object, performing an action upon itself.

- Example 1: *She taught herself how to play the guitar.* (The subject 'she' is doing the action of teaching on herself.)


2. For Emphasis: Reflexive pronouns can also be used for emphasis, to highlight that the subject is doing something without help from others.

- Example 2: *I myself will carry the boxes upstairs.* (The speaker is emphasizing that they will do it alone, not someone else.)


3. After Certain Verbs: Some verbs are always followed by reflexive pronouns as part of their meaning.

- Example 3: *They can't help themselves to the cookies.* (The phrase 'help oneself' means to take something for oneself without asking.)


4. With Reciprocal Verbs: When two people do the same thing to each other, reflexive pronouns are used.

- Example 4: *The two teams congratulated themselves on their victory.* (Both teams are congratulating each other.)


5. Intensive Pronouns: Reflexive pronouns can also act as intensive pronouns, which are used to add emphasis to the subject.

- Example 5: *He himself announced the results.* (The emphasis is on the fact that it was he who did the announcing, not someone else.)


6. Idiomatic Expressions: There are idiomatic expressions that include reflexive pronouns.

- Example 6: *You need to behave yourself in the meeting.* (This means to act properly or appropriately.)

7.
Incorrect Usage: It's important to note that reflexive pronouns should not be used when the subject and object are different.

- Incorrect Example: *My sister and myself went to the movies.* (This is incorrect because 'myself' is not the same entity as 'my sister'. The correct form would be 'My sister and I went to the movies.')

### Conclusion

Understanding the use of reflexive pronouns is crucial for expressing oneself clearly and correctly in English. They serve to reflect the action of a verb back onto the subject, provide emphasis, and are part of certain idiomatic expressions. By mastering reflexive pronouns, one can enhance their language proficiency and ensure that their writing and speech are grammatically accurate.

Each personal pronoun (such as I, you,he and she) has its own reflexive form: I -- myself. you -- yourself/yourselves. he -- himself.