Reflexive pronoun
Definition
A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject when the subject and object are the same person or thing. The forms are myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
Examples
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Leo taught himself to cook.
Leo is both the person teaching and the person receiving the teaching.
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Maya looked at herself in the mirror.
The object of at refers back to Maya.
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We introduced ourselves to the new neighbours.
The plural reflexive pronoun refers back to we.
Reflexive vs. reciprocal pronoun
Maya and Leo photographed themselves.
Each person photographed the same person who performed the action.
Maya and Leo photographed each other.
Maya photographed Leo, and Leo photographed Maya.
A reflexive pronoun sends the action back to the same participant. A reciprocal pronoun expresses action between different participants.
Reflexive pronouns can add emphasis
An emphatic reflexive pronoun highlights that someone performed an action personally or without assistance. It can often be removed without changing the basic grammar.
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The director herself approved the design.
The reflexive emphasizes that the director personally approved it.
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We built the shelves ourselves.
The reflexive emphasizes that no one else built them for us.
Common mistakes
Maya sent the email to myself.
Maya sent the email to me.
Use an ordinary object pronoun when the pronoun does not refer back to the subject.
They enjoyed theirselves.
They enjoyed themselves.
The standard plural form is themselves.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses a reflexive pronoun?
Himself refers back to the subject Leo.Which sentence has reciprocal rather than reflexive meaning?
Each other expresses action between the two friends.Which sentence uses a reflexive pronoun for emphasis?
Herself emphasizes that the author personally performed the action.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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