Reflexive pronoun: What it is and how to use it

A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of a sentence, such as myself, himself or themselves. The concept seems simple, but learners often struggle to determine when this form is required, when it is optional, and when English does not use it at all. These difficulties are especially common among learners whose first language uses reflexive forms with verbs that English handles differently.

This article explains the meaning of this grammatical form, provides a complete list of its variations, distinguishes reflexive from intensive use, and covers common mistakes, with exercises and answers at the end.

What is the meaning of reflexive pronoun?

Definition

To answer what is the meaning of reflexive pronoun: it is a pronoun ending in -self (singular) or -selves (plural) that refers back to the subject of the same clause. It indicates that the subject and the object of the action are the same person or thing.

Example: She taught herself to play the guitar. – The person teaching and the person being taught are the same.

Why the term “reflexive”

The word comes from the idea of “reflecting” or bending back. In grammar, the action of the verb reflects back onto the subject rather than moving outward to a different object.

List of reflexive pronouns

The plural form of “you” takes yourselves. There is also a form, oneself, used with the impersonal pronoun “one,” as in One should always believe in oneself.

When to use a reflexive pronoun

1. The subject and object are the same

Use this form when the person or thing performing an action is also affected by it.

Examples: He cut himself while cooking. They introduced themselves to the class. I taught myself French.

2. After a preposition referring back to the subject

When a preposition refers to the same person or thing as the subject, the corresponding -self/-selves form is often needed.

Examples: She looked at herself in the mirror. He was talking to himself. We are proud of ourselves.

3. In the phrase “by + reflexive pronoun” meaning “alone” or “without help”

The structure by + -self/-selves form commonly means that someone is alone or does something without assistance.

Examples: I made dinner by myself. (Without anyone’s help, or alone.) She lives by herself.

Reflexive pronoun vs intensive pronoun

The same -self/-selves forms can serve two different functions. This distinction explains the common comparison between reflexive pronoun vs intensive pronoun, also searched as emphatic vs reflexive pronoun.

Reflexive use

In reflexive use, the form acts as an object that refers back to the subject. It is necessary to express the intended meaning, although removing it does not always make the sentence grammatically incomplete.

Example: She hurt herself. (Removing “herself” changes the meaning and leaves the reader wondering whom she hurt.)

Intensive (emphatic) use

In intensive use, the same form emphasizes a noun or pronoun already in the sentence. It usually appears directly after that word or at the end of the clause. Removing it does not change the basic meaning or grammatical structure.

Example: The manager himself approved the request. (Removing “himself” leaves “The manager approved the request,” which is still a complete sentence.)

Quick test

Check whether the -self/-selves word adds emphasis or identifies the object of an action. If removing it leaves a complete sentence with the same basic meaning, it is being used intensively. If removing it changes the intended meaning or leaves the object unclear, it is being used reflexively.

Examples of a reflexive pronoun in sentences

The following examples of a reflexive pronoun demonstrate how these forms work with different subjects and in different situations:

• I surprised myself with how quickly I finished the project.
• You should be proud of yourself for passing the test.
• He taught himself to play the piano.
• She looked at herself in the mirror before leaving.
• The cat cleaned itself after dinner.
• We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
• They blamed themselves for the mistake.

These examples show that the ending changes according to the subject. Choosing the correct form requires matching the person and number of the subject with the appropriate word.

When not to use a reflexive pronoun

Some languages use reflexive forms with many everyday verbs, including those related to washing, dressing, or feelings. English handles many of these situations differently, so adding an extra word ending in -self or -selves can sound unnatural or change the intended meaning.

Verbs that usually do not need a reflexive pronoun

Verbs such as wash, shave, dress, behave, relax, concentrate, and feel are often used without an additional reflexive form when the meaning is clear from context.

Examples: He shaved this morning. (Not He shaved himself, unless emphasizing that he did it without help.) Please relax. (Not Please relax yourself.)

The important point is that English does not always require speakers to state explicitly that an action affects the person performing it. Context often makes this clear.

When the reflexive pronoun is needed for clarity

In some situations, the additional form makes the meaning more explicit or emphasizes that someone performs an action independently.

Example: The child can dress himself now. (Emphasizes that he can dress without assistance.)

In this case, the word helps communicate independence rather than merely repeating information that is already obvious.

Common mistakes with reflexive pronouns

• Using “myself” instead of “I” or “me.” Writing John and myself went to the meeting instead of John and I went to the meeting. A reflexive form needs a subject in the same clause to refer back to, so it cannot replace a subject pronoun in this sentence.
• Using nonstandard forms. Writing hisself instead of himself, or theirselves instead of themselves. These forms are nonstandard in ordinary English.
• Adding an unnecessary form after certain verbs. Writing I feel myself tired instead of I feel tired. In standard English, the simpler sentence is more natural for expressing tiredness.
• Using a reflexive form when the object is a different person. Writing She gave a gift to herself and him when the intended meaning is a gift given to two other people. The correct wording depends on who receives the gift and whether the subject is one of those recipients.
• Confusing “each other” with a reflexive pronoun. They blamed themselves means each person blamed their own self, while They blamed each other means each person blamed the other. These expressions communicate different meanings and cannot always replace one another.

Reflexive pronoun exercises with answers

Exercise 1: Choose the correct reflexive pronoun

1. I taught ______ (me / myself) how to cook.
2. She looked at ______ (her / herself) in the mirror.
3. The children enjoyed ______ (theirselves / themselves) at the park.
4. We should be proud of ______ (us / ourselves).

Sample answers: 1. myself – 2. herself – 3. themselves – 4. ourselves

Exercise 2: Reflexive or intensive use?

1. He hurt himself while playing football. → himself: reflexive use; it identifies the person affected by the action.
2. The director herself signed the contract. → herself: intensive use; it adds emphasis and can be removed without changing the basic sentence.
3. They taught themselves to swim. → themselves: reflexive use; the people learning and the people being taught are the same.

Exercise 3: Find and correct the error

1. John and myself completed the project. → Correct: John and I completed the project.
2. The kids enjoyed theirselves. → Correct: The kids enjoyed themselves.
3. I feel myself very tired today. → Correct: I feel very tired today.

Worksheets for reflexive pronoun practice

A worksheet for reflexive pronoun practice usually combines multiple-choice questions, identification of reflexive versus intensive use, and error correction. A reflexive pronoun worksheet that includes a short chart alongside the exercises allows learners to check their answers and review the different forms in context.

A reflexive pronoun exercise with answers is particularly useful for independent study because learners can check their understanding immediately. Rather than practicing only one type of question, students should work through a mixture of sentence-completion tasks, grammar identification, and error correction. This approach helps them recognize when an -self/-selves form is necessary and when it is used only for emphasis.

The key is to consider the relationship between the subject and the object in each sentence. Learners who understand that relationship are better equipped to choose the correct form instead of relying only on memorized lists.

A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of its clause and is formed with -self or -selves. The main skills are choosing the correct form for the subject, distinguishing reflexive from intensive use, and recognizing verbs that do not require an additional reflexive form in English. Paying attention to these three points helps learners avoid many common errors.

See also: Personal pronoun: What it is, forms and examples

Frequently asked questions

What is a reflexive pronoun?

A reflexive pronoun is a word ending in -self or -selves, such as myself, himself, or themselves, that refers back to the subject of the same clause. It commonly indicates that the subject and the object of the action are the same.

What is the difference between a reflexive pronoun and an intensive pronoun?

Both use the same -self/-selves forms, but their functions differ. A reflexive form refers back to the subject and identifies the object of an action, as in “She hurt herself.” An intensive form adds emphasis and can be removed without changing the basic sentence, as in “The manager himself approved the request.”

Why is “John and myself went to the meeting” considered incorrect?

A reflexive form must refer back to a subject in the same clause, so it cannot function as the subject itself. The correct sentence is “John and I went to the meeting,” where “I” is the subject pronoun. Using “myself” in this position is a common mistake that comes from trying to sound more formal, even though the standard subject form is simpler and more accurate.

Keyword:

• reflexive pronoun worksheet
• reflexive pronoun exercise
• examples of a reflexive pronoun
• emphatic vs reflexive pronoun
• worksheet for reflexive pronoun