Reflexive Pronouns: Myself, Yourself, Themselves, etc.

1. Reflexive Pronouns:

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence are the same person or thing. They reflect back to the subject. Let's look at some examples:

• He's enjoying himself.
• I looked at myself in the mirror.
• She fell off her bike, but she didn't hurt herself.
• Please help yourself. (one person)
• Please help yourselves. (two or more people)
• We enjoyed ourselves on holiday.
• They enjoyed themselves.

2. Reflexive Pronouns vs. Personal Pronouns:

It's important to understand the difference between reflexive pronouns and personal pronouns:

• Personal Pronouns: me, him, them, etc.

  Example: He is looking at himself.

• Reflexive Pronouns: myself, himself, themselves, etc.

  Example: He is looking at himself.

3. Singular and Plural Usage:

Reflexive pronouns change according to the subject:

• myself → himself → herself → yourself → ourselves → themselves

4. By Myself/By Yourself, etc.:

These phrases indicate doing something alone:

• I went on holiday by myself.

5. Each Other vs. -selves:

• Each Other: Used for reciprocal actions between two people.

  Example: Kate and Helen know each other well.

• -selves: Refers to the subjects themselves.

  Example: James and Sue looked at themselves.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Language Level