REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

1. Reflexive pronouns end in -self in the singular form and -selves in the plural form.

myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself ourselves, yourselves, themselves

2. Reflexive pronouns are used to refer back to the subject or object.

e.g. We enjoyed ourselves at the party greatly. His letters are all about

himself.

3. Reflexive pronouns are obligatory' after some verbs (to find oneself, to amuse

oneself, to enjoy oneself, to help oneself, to hurt oneself, etc.).

They are also used after prepositions (except the preposition -with or when the reference is made to places),

e.g. Help yourself to some more tea, please!

I'll bring Judy with me.

Put your notes in front of you. Compare: I'm pleased with you. - I'm pleased with myself.

4. With some verbs, reflexive pronouns are not used.

e.g. Try to concentrate! How do you feel? Hurry up!

Did you manage to relax?

Such verbs as to dress, to wash, to shave, to dry take a reflexive pronoun to make it clear who performs the action.

e.g. He shaves every morning.

Isn't she old enough to dress herself?

5. Reflexive pronouns are used for emphasis. Then they are placed immediately after the word they emphasize or at the end of the sentence.

e.g. The town itself was very small. It's quicker if you do it yourself.

6. The phrase 'by oneself can mean either 'without help' or 'alone, without company' (= on one's own).

e.g. Do you need help? - No, I can do it by myself.

She likes living by herself/on her own.

7. Note the difference between '-selves' and "each other'. The latter is used to talk about reciprocal actions, but not reflexive.

e.g. Insane people talk to themselves a lot.

The two old friends talked to each other a lot.

EXERCISES

Exercise 1.

Comment on the use of reflexive pronouns in the following sentences.

1. a)He got dressed and went to work.

b) She's grown up fast. She can get dressed herself now.

2. a)I cut/hurt/burnt myself badly.

b) I burnt/cut/ hurt my arm badly.

3. a) I live by myself because I like living on my own.

b) Do you like my jumper? I made it myself.

4. a) My wife was talking to her.

b) My wife was talking to herself.

5. a) I spoke to the director himself.

b) I spoke to the director myself.

6. a) I trust my children. They can look after themselves.

b) They look after each other well.

7. a)He amused himself a lot at the party.

b) He amused everyone a lot at the party.

8. a) I sat down on an empty chair.

b) I sat myself down with difficulty.

9. a) The settlers built themselves new houses.

b) The settlers built the new houses themselves.

10. Everything had arranged itself admirably.

11. The man opened the door and found himself facing a stranger.

12. Would you mind keeping your opinion to yourself?

13. He was in a still worse position than we ourselves.

14. One of our party and myself went to see what was the commotion.

15. There were several miserable looking children beside her .

Exercise 2.

Put in a suitable reflexive pronoun.

a. No one is going to help us, so we’ll have to do it__.

b. Veronica always cuts her hair___, and it always looks great.

c. Roberta__is quite friendly, but the rest of his family are very cold.

d. Did you know that the Morrises built their house__?

e. I don't trust anyone else to do my accounts, I always do them___.

f. I got to see the gardens, but the palace___was closed.

g. I enjoyed__very much at the party.

h. I see you've cut___again. Won't you ever learn how to shave?

i. How did Tom dry___? ~ He used your towel.

j. She has no reason to blame___for what has happened.

k. I think that poor dog has hurt___.

1. "One prides___on one's patience,' the boss said in his usual pompous tone.

m. Our new neighbours knocked at the door and introduced____

n. Bill had to absent____from work when his baby was born.

o. She prides__on her ability to judge people's characters.

p. I tried to make____agreeable.

q. He thinks too much of

r. Sit down and make___at home.

s . She was beside___with anger.

t. He is loyalty_.

u. Everybody had too much work to permit___a rest.

Exercise 3.

Supply reflexive pronouns only where strictly necessary.

1. I hope you will enjoy......!

2. It's always a problem adjusting.............to a new time zone after a long flight.

3. You need lo relax... after a long period of intensive work.

4. I have to assure....................that I've made the best possible decision.

5. It looks as though the plane-crash victims suffocated.....................

6. No one will ever know whether she intentionally drowned.....................

7. I hope you will all amuse...................constructively while I'm out.

8. If ever we go jogging together, John quickly tires.....................

9. Take care you don't overdo it and tire.............

10. You can't prevent babies from wetting.............!

11. Hamlet revenged............on his father's murderer.

12. I got confused....................about the date of our meeting.

13. Frequent washing....................is just a matter of habit

14. Go and wash....................before you come to the table.

15. Have you heard? Debbie's engaged.............to Tristan.

16. You can't have a shower without wetting....................all over!

17. I don't know where to hide.....................

18. I thought she conducted..............with great dignity.

19. We should never resign................ to a breakdown in law and order.

20. Have you shaved..............yet?

21. Mind you don't burn................on that hot pan!

22. I feel... cold.

23. She's named...................Jennifer, isn't she?

24. I suggest you rest....................before dinner.

25. Hamlet avenged..........his father's murder.

26. It's time those boys leant how to behave....................!

27. Don't worry about me. I know how in occupy....................

28. You'd better check.................that our hotel booking is OK.

29. Count up to ten if you feel...................getting angry!

30. Do you ever wonder....................how top people's children get top jobs?

31. I washed this shirt in cold water, but it has still shrunk...

32. It's always wise to insure.................before you travel abroad.

33. Take it or leave it. Please.............!

34. I nearly choked.............on that fish bone!

35. The bath was too hot and I nearly scalded....................

36. He was called....................Podge when he was a schoolboy.

37. Mind you don't get dirty....................!

38. I wish you wouldn't keep repeating...................

39. It's impossible to excuse....................such bad behaviour.

40. I feel I have to excuse...................for my bad behaviour last night.