Reflexive Pronouns: Myself, Yourself and Themselves
Use reflexive pronouns when subject and object refer to the same person or thing, and for simple emphasis.
Learning Objective
Reflexive Pronouns: Myself, Yourself and Themselves
Select the correct reflexive pronoun and use it when the subject and object have the same reference.
Clear Explanation
A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, or themselves.
Form and Structure
subject + verb + matching reflexive pronoun
“Mina taught herself to play the guitar.”
Do not use a reflexive pronoun simply to sound formal. Say Please contact me, not Please contact myself, unless I is the subject of the same clause.
Meaning and Use
Same person or thing
Use a reflexive form when the object is the same as the subject.
“The cat cleaned itself.”
Emphasis
A reflexive pronoun can emphasise that someone acted without help.
“I repaired the bicycle myself.”
By + reflexive
By myself and similar forms can mean alone or without help.
“He travelled by himself.”
Common Errors and Meaning Traps
She taught himself French.
She taught herself French.
The reflexive pronoun must agree with she.
Please email myself tomorrow.
Please email me tomorrow.
Use the ordinary object pronoun because the subject is not I.
They enjoyed at the party.
They enjoyed themselves at the party.
Enjoy is normally followed by an object; here it refers back to they.
Guided Practice
Use the grammar in context
“Be careful not to hurt yourself.”
“We made the decorations ourselves.”
Write one sentence about doing something alone and one about someone teaching themselves a skill.
Quick Recap
A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, or themselves.
Use a reflexive form when the object is the same as the subject.
Do not use a reflexive pronoun simply to sound formal. Say Please contact me, not Please contact myself, unless I is the subject of the same clause.
The reflexive pronoun must agree with she.
Independent Mastery Check
Complete these four checks before taking the quiz. If one feels difficult, return to the matching section and try again.
Explain the core rule in your own words without looking back at the lesson.
Find the target form in “Mina taught herself to play the guitar.” and explain what it communicates in this context.
Explain why “She taught herself French.” is the recommended revision for “She taught himself French.”.
Write one sentence about doing something alone and one about someone teaching themselves a skill.
Continue at A1-A2 Level
Aim for at least 5 out of 6 in the quiz below. For every missed answer, read the explanation, return to the relevant section, and try the quiz again.
Which statement best explains Reflexive Pronouns: Myself, Yourself and Themselves?
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