Reflexive pronoun explanation with example

English Grammar

1. Reflexive Pronouns

2. What is a Reflexive Pronoun? Reflexive pronouns are pronouns that  reflect  back to the subject. They are words ending in  -self  or  -selves  that are used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same (e.g.,  I believe in myself ). 

3. The nine English  reflexive pronouns  are  myself, yourself, himself, herself, oneself, itself, ourselves, yourselves,   and  themselves .

4. Classification

5. What Are Emphatic Pronouns? The emphatic pronouns are:  myself ,  yourself ,  herself ,  himself ,  itself ,  ourselves ,  yourselves , and  themselves . An emphatic pronoun refers back to another  noun  (or pronoun) in the  sentence  to emphasize it. For example: The Queen  herself attended the party.( The Queen  is the noun being emphasized.

6. An emphatic pronoun always appears in combination with a noun or another pronoun; it can’t stand on its own as a subject or object. Myself have never been to Australia. I myself have never been to Australia. Why don’t you ask himself? Why don’t you ask the man himself?

7. The emphatic pronoun most commonly appears directly after the antecedent (the noun or pronoun it refers to), but it can also appear later in the sentence. The kind of emphasis provided can vary based on the placement of the emphatic pronoun. Examples: Placement of the emphatic pronoun You   yourself  should do it. [more emphasis on the person] You should do it  yourself . [more emphasis on the fact the action will be performed alone]

8. Emphatic vs reflexive pronouns An emphatic pronoun (also called an intensive pronoun) All the same words that function as emphatic pronouns can also be used as reflexive pronouns. While the words are identical, their grammatical function in each case is different: An  emphatic pronoun  is used in combination with a noun or pronoun, on which they place special emphasis. The sentence will still make sense (though the emphasis will change) if it is removed. A  reflexive pronoun  is used in place of an  object pronoun   when the subject and object are the same person or thing. It’s essential to the meaning of the sentence. Examples: You yourself  told me that. [‘You told me that’  is  a complete sentence.] Give  yourself  a break. [‘Give a break’  isn’t  a complete sentence.] The robot can complete many tasks  itself . [‘The robot can complete many tasks’  is  a complete sentence.] The investment pays for  itself . [‘The investment pays for’  isn’t  a complete sentence.]

9. Avoid making these mistakes… If you have any questions, please contact myself or your line manager.          (Remember that an emphatic pronoun emphasizes a nearby noun or pronoun, i.e., its  antecedent . There isn't an antecedent in this example.) If you have any questions, please contact me or your line manager.         ( Myself  is not a posh version of  me .)