- Reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) refer back to the subject when the subject and object are the same person or thing
- Use reflexive pronouns when someone performs an action on themselves (She looked at herself in the mirror) or for emphasis to show personal involvement (I built this table myself)
- Common phrases always use reflexive pronouns: enjoy yourself, help yourself, make yourself at home, behave yourself, and by myself/yourself (meaning alone)
- Never use reflexive pronouns as the subject of a sentence - say "John and I went" not "Myself and John went"
- Don't replace "me" with "myself" in phrases like "contact John or me" - only use reflexive pronouns when they refer back to the subject
Reflexive Pronouns
Master the art of using myself, yourself, and more
What Are Reflexive Pronouns?
Reflexive pronouns are special pronouns that refer back to the subject of a sentence. They end in "-self" (singular) or "-selves" (plural) and are used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same person or thing.
I → myself
you → yourself
he → himself
she → herself
it → itself
we → ourselves
you (plural) → yourselves
they → themselves
When Do We Use Reflexive Pronouns?
1. When the Subject and Object Are the Same
Use reflexive pronouns when the person performing the action is also receiving the action.
✓ She looked at herself in the mirror.
✓ I taught myself to play guitar.
✓ The cat cleaned itself after eating.
2. For Emphasis
Reflexive pronouns can add emphasis to show that someone did something personally or without help.
✓ I built this table myself. (Nobody helped me)
✓ The CEO herself answered the phone. (Emphasizing it was the CEO, not an assistant)
✓ Did you make this cake yourself?
3. After Certain Phrases
Common phrases with reflexive pronouns:
• enjoy yourself/yourselves
• help yourself/yourselves
• make yourself at home
• behave yourself/yourselves
• by myself/yourself/etc. (alone)
✓ Please help yourself to some food.
✓ I prefer to work by myself.
✓ The children behaved themselves at the party.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't use reflexive pronouns as subjects:
✗ Myself and John went to the store.
✓ John and I went to the store.
Don't confuse "myself" with "me":
✗ If you have questions, contact John or myself.
✓ If you have questions, contact John or me.
