Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

You often use pronouns that end in –self or –selves You often use pronouns that end in –self or –selves. These forms are either reflexive pronouns or intensive pronouns. Although their spellings are the same, their uses in sentences are different. Reflexive: Harry splashed himself with water. Intensive: The children made that rug themselves.

A reflexive pronoun has its antecedent as the subject of the sentence. It completes the meaning of a sentence and generally cannot be left out. Burton knows himself very well. Did you teach yourself music?

An intensive pronoun is used to emphasize another word, its antecedent. An intensive pronoun may or may not refer to the subject of the sentence. It can usually be left out without destroying the meaning of the sentence. Sid himself hung the picture.

Both reflexive and intensive pronouns must agree with their antecedents in person, number, and gender. I will fix myself lunch in a while. Jack can fix a sandwich himself.

Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Singular Plurals Myself Ourselves Yourself Yourselves Himself, herself, itself themselves

Never use the words hisself or theirselves. (they are not words) Do not use reflexive and intensive pronoun forms in place of personal pronouns. Ron and I repaired the lamp. (not Ron and myself) This is between you and me. (not between you and myself) Never use the words hisself or theirselves. (they are not words)

Find the antecedent of each underlined pronoun Find the antecedent of each underlined pronoun. Is it intensive or reflexive? Hubert found himself in the middle of a flood. We met the plumber herself. The oven cleaned itself. Let’s try to fix the sink ourselves. I will call the painters myself. Don’t slip and hurt yourselves.

How would you correct each of the following sentences? 7. The painters protected theirselves from fumes. 8. Mrs. Sullivan and myself found the source of the leak under the sink. 9. Her son can repair pipes hisself now. 10. Herself and Russell will fix the sink tomorrow.

Complete each sentence with an appropriate pronoun Complete each sentence with an appropriate pronoun. Is it reflexive or intensive? 11. Her brother has taught _______ much about house repair and maintence. 12. The painters should see ______ in those funny hats. 13. We ________ aren’t sure of the color we should use. 14. You should learn to repair things _________. 15. The work __________ is not difficult.

Write the reflexive or intensive pronoun in each sentence Write the reflexive or intensive pronoun in each sentence. Label it reflexive or intensive. 16. They themselves knew they looked funny. 17. One had painted himself green. 18. Another had decorated herself with blue spots. 19. The paint itself was splattered all over the floor. 20. The painters thought themselves very commercial. 21. I myself had to try hard not to laugh.

Rewrite each sentence correctly. Underline the corrected word. 22. My brother and myself tried to fix something once. 23. My brother fooled hisself that time. 24. Himself and I tried to fix the clock. 25. Between you and myself, we ruined the job.

Rewrite each sentence, adding an appropriate reflexive or intensive pronoun. 26. First, you should read the directions __________. 27. Several professional repair persons ________ gave me that advice. 28. Repair manuals ________ also provide the amateur with excellent advice and tips about working. 29. I _______ found out about repair manuals the hard way. 30. One night last week, my mother and father had given ________ an evening out.

Rewrite each sentence, adding an appropriate reflexive or intensive pronoun. 31. Meanwhile, I decided to repair my broken alarm clock ________. 32. My brother Patrick said, “You can’t do that ________.” 33. He decided to help me _______. 34. As it later turned out, Pat and I could have saved _________ much time and trouble. 35. The clock ________ needed only a new battery!