Reflexive & Intensive Pronouns But first, some basic REVIEW of pronouns….

Pronouns A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun or another pronoun. It REPLACES a noun or even a pronoun. Please, follow along in your maroon English 8 Grammar Books starting on page 380 through 401. Thank you! 

Example Marie went for a walk. She went for a walk. Which is the subject of the sentence? Which is the pronoun replacing the subject? What are the rest of the words?

Antecedents The prefix ante- means “before” The root –cede- means go So, antecedents usually go BEFORE a pronoun. An antecedent is the noun the pronoun replaces or refers to. Jane and Margaret went shopping; they bought a new book at the store. -“Jane and Margaret” is the antecedent. -“They” is the pronoun that replaces it.

Antecedents The prefix ante- means “before” The root –cede- means go So, antecedents usually go BEFORE a pronoun. Fall was Sally’s favorite season. She loved to wear sweaters! Without a doubt, cold weather causes sneezing. It can then lead to excess Kleenex purchases. The girls each bought mood rings from the fair. They thought it would indicate their friendship.

1. Personal Pronouns A personal pronoun refers to the one speaking, the one spoken to, or the one spoken about. Karen ate the pizza. She was hungry. Which is the antecedent?

2. Indefinite Pronouns An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that refers to persons, places, or things, in general. It may or may not be specifically named. Someone stole my wallet! Which is the indefinite? Each, all, many, some, somebody, everybody, one…

3. Demonstrative Pronouns A demonstrative pronoun is a pronoun that replaces and points out a person, place, thing, or idea. Lemons can be delicious. These are sour, though. Which is the antecedent? Which is the demonstrative? This, that, these, & those.

4. Interrogative Pronouns An interrogative pronoun introduces a question. Who wrote The Fault in our Stars? Which is the interrogative? Who, which, what, whom, and whose.

Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns (Just a Note) 1st person - Myself Ourselves 2nd person - Yourself Yourselves 3rd person - Himself & Themselves Herself & Itself

5. Reflexive Pronouns A reflexive pronoun is a pronoun that refers to the subject and is necessary to the meaning of the sentence. It ends in "-self" or “-selves” Bob enjoyed himself at the gym. “Himself” is a reflexive pronoun; it is necessary for the sentence to make sense.

Reflexive A reflexive pronoun changes the meaning of the sentence by adding –self or -selves. Without the pronoun the sentence does not make sense or the meaning changes. Example Michael taught himself to play the piano.

6. Intensive Pronouns An intensive pronoun emphasizes a noun or another pronoun. It is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence. Did you decorate the room yourself? “yourself” is not necessary to include.

Intensive Intensive pronouns add to or intensify its antecedent. Intensive pronouns will not change the meaning of the sentence if they are taken out. Example Michael Jackson himself taught the child to play the piano.

Ok, sooooo…. Is hisself a word? Is theirselves a word? Reflexive Pronouns…. Intensive Pronouns…. What’s a good way to remember Intensive PN’s? Is hisself a word? Is theirselves a word? Are YOU thumbs up, waffle, or thumbs down with these types of PN’s?

Identify the following pronouns as intensive or reflexive The mayor himself cut the ribbon at the building dedication. Jennifer accidentally cut herself on the broken glass. The team pushed themselves to the limit. Ramon himself cleaned the room. The bird cleaned itself on the tree limb.

Answers Intensive Reflexive

Identify the following pronouns as intensive or reflexive He will fix himself lunch in awhile. I had decorated myself with sparkles! We washed all of the cars ourselves. The goofy clowns should see themselves during the show. She herself created the thoughtful painting.

Answers Reflexive Intensive