Reflexive Pronouns Explained

Introduction to Reflexive Pronouns

English learners often struggle with reflexive pronouns, but once you understand the pattern, they become simple.

Reflexive pronouns are words like myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. They are used when the subject and the object of the verb are the same person or thing.

For example:

• I cut myself.
• She taught herself.

In this article, we’ll explain the rules of reflexive pronouns, provide examples, point out common mistakes, and include a worksheet-style practice section so you can check your understanding.

If you're unsure of any words in this article, check the Glossary below. If it's not listed, then try our free English dictionary.

What Are Reflexive Pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding –self (singular) or –selves (plural) to certain pronouns. They “reflect” back to the subject of the sentence.

Reflexive Pronouns List

• myself (I)
• yourself (you, singular)
• himself (he)
• herself (she)
• itself (it)
• ourselves (we)
• yourselves (you, plural)
• themselves (they)

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How to Use Reflexive Pronouns

1) When the Subject and Object Are the Same

We use reflexive pronouns when the action is directed back at the subject.

• I hurt myself.
• She introduced herself.
• They blame themselves.

2) To Show Emphasis

Reflexive pronouns add emphasis, meaning “personally” or “alone”.

• I’ll do it myself (= I don’t need help).
• The Prime Minister himself attended the event.
• We cooked the meal ourselves.

3) With Certain Verbs Commonly Used Reflexively

Some verbs are naturally paired with reflexive pronouns, especially in more formal English:

• enjoy oneself → We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
• pride oneself on → She prides herself on her work.
• avail oneself of (formal) → He availed himself of the opportunity.

4) To Clarify Meaning

Sometimes reflexive pronouns avoid confusion:

• The teacher spoke to the students themselves. (not to someone else)
• I want to talk to you yourself, not your assistant.

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Common Mistakes with Reflexive Pronouns

1. Using object pronouns instead of reflexive
   ❌ I taught me English.
   ✅ I taught myself English.
2. Overusing reflexives
   Learners sometimes add them unnecessarily.
   ❌ Myself went to the shop.
   ✅ I went to the shop.
3. Forgetting the plural form
   ❌ We blame ourself.
   ✅ We blame ourselves.

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Reflexive Pronouns vs Each Other

Reflexive pronouns show the action goes back to the subject. By contrast, each other/one another show the action goes between people.

• Reflexive: We looked at ourselves in the mirror.
• Reciprocal: We looked at each other with surprise.

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Teaching Tip for Reflexives

A useful classroom demonstration is to hold a mirror and say: I see myself. Then point to a partner and say: I see you. This physical demonstration makes the function of reflexives very clear.

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Reflexive Pronouns in Emphasis and Style

In informal spoken English, myself and yourself are sometimes (incorrectly) used instead of I or me:

• ❌ Myself and Tom went to the shop.
• ✅ Tom and I went to the shop.

However, this is common in business English introductions for politeness:

• I am Jordan. I’ll be your teacher today, and I’ll introduce myself.

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Reflexive Pronouns in Formal English

Certain reflexive forms appear in legal or formal contexts:

• The witness himself confirmed the statement.
• Each member must sign the agreement himself/herself.

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Worksheet-Style Practice

A. Fill in the blanks with the correct reflexive pronoun:

1. I cut ______ while cooking.
2. Did you write this essay by ______?
3. The cat cleaned ______ after the meal.
4. We enjoyed ______ at the concert.
5. She taught ______ to play the piano.

B. Rewrite the sentence with emphasis:

1. I painted the house. → ______
2. The students completed the project. → ______

C. Correct the mistake:

1. He blamed him. (should use reflexive)
2. Myself went shopping. (should use subject pronoun)

D. Translation practice (teacher can prepare sentences):
Translate your language’s equivalent reflexive forms into English.

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Extended Examples in Context

• By the end of the course, you will have tested yourself many times.
• The athletes pushed themselves to the limit.
• He always speaks for himself, not for the group.
• We decorated the room ourselves, without hiring anyone.