Is the pronoun reflexive or intensive?

Key Notes :

  1. Definition of Reflexive Pronouns:
    • Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same person or thing. They reflect the action back to the subject.
    • Examples: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
  2. Definition of Intensive Pronouns:
    • Intensive pronouns emphasize a noun or another pronoun in the sentence. They add emphasis but do not change the meaning of the sentence.
    • Examples: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
  3. Identifying Reflexive Pronouns:
    • Reflexive pronouns answer the question “who?” or “what?” after the action has been performed.
    • Example: “She prepared herself for the exam.” (Here, “herself” shows that she did the action to herself.)
  4. Identifying Intensive Pronouns:
    • Intensive pronouns are often found immediately after the noun or pronoun they emphasize.
    • Example: “The president himself addressed the nation.” (Here, “himself” emphasizes “the president.”)
  5. Testing the Function:
    • To determine whether a pronoun is reflexive or intensive, remove the pronoun from the sentence:
      • If the meaning of the sentence changes or is incomplete, the pronoun is reflexive.
      • If the sentence still makes sense without it, the pronoun is intensive.
    • Example:
      • Reflexive: “She taught herself to play guitar.” (Removing “herself” makes it incomplete.)
      • Intensive: “The actor himself attended the premiere.” (Removing “himself” still makes sense: “The actor attended the premiere.”)
  6. Usage in Sentences:
    • Reflexive: “I saw myself in the mirror.”
    • Intensive: “I myself completed the project.”
  7. Common Mistakes:
    • Do not confuse reflexive and intensive pronouns; they look the same but serve different purposes in a sentence.
    • Ensure that the sentence is meaningful both with and without the pronoun to identify its role correctly.

Practice Exercise

  • Identify the pronouns in the following sentences as reflexive or intensive:
    1. “She gave herself a break.”
    2. “I, myself, have never seen such talent.”
    3. “They built the house themselves.”

Let’s practice!🖊️