REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

Reflexive (adj.) [grammar]: reflecting back on the subject, like a mirror We use a reflexive pronoun when we want to refer back to the subject of the sentence or clause. Reflexive pronouns end in "-self" (singular) or "-selves" (plural). There are eight reflexive pronouns: reflexive pronoun singular myself yourself himself, herself, itself plural ourselves yourselves themselves Look at these examples: reflexive pronouns the underlined words are NOT the same person/thing the underlined words are the SAME person/thing John saw me. I saw myself in the mirror. Why does he blame you? Why do you blame yourself? David sent him a copy. John sent himself a copy. David sent her a copy. Mary sent herself a copy. My dog hurt the cat. My dog hurt itself. We blame you. We blame ourselves. Can you help my children? Can you help yourselves? They cannot look after the babies. They cannot look after themselves. Examples I made it myself. Did you see it yourself? The President himself promised to stop the war. She spoke to me herself. The exam itself wasn't difficult, but exam room was horrible. Never mind. We'll do it ourselves. You yourselves asked us to do it. They recommend this book even though they themselves have never read it.