1. Reflexive & Intensive Pronouns

2. Reflexive Pronouns “Reflexive” sounds like “reflect.”
A reflexive pronoun and its antecedent are the same person.
It generally cannot be left out.
Burton knows himself very well.
Did you teach yourself music?

3. Intensive Pronouns “Intensive” sounds like “intense.”
An intensive pronoun is used to emphasize another word (the antecedent).
It can usually be left out without destroying the sentence.
Sid himself hung the picture.

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

5. Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
Singular
Plural
myself
ourselves
yourself
yourselves
himself, herself, itself
themselves

6. Tips
Do not use reflexive and intensive pronouns 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.

7. Find the antecedent of each underlined pronoun.
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.

8. Correct each of the following sentences.
The painters protected theirselves from fumes.
Mrs. Sullivan and myself found the source of the leak under the sink.
Her son can repair pipes hisself now.
Herself and Russell will fix the sink tomorrow.

9. Complete each sentence with an appropriate pronoun
Complete each sentence with an appropriate pronoun. Is it reflexive or intensive?
Her brother has taught ___ much about home repair and maintenance.
The painters should see ___ in those funny hats.
We ___ aren’t sure of the color we should use.
You should learn to repair things ___.
The work ___ is not difficult.

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

11. Add an appropriate reflexive or intensive pronoun.
First, you should read the directions ___.
Several professional repairmen ___ gave me that advice.
Repair manuals ___ also provide the amateur with excellent advice and tips about working.
I ___ found out about repair manuals the hard way.
One night last week, my mother and father had given ___ an evening out.

12. Add an appropriate reflexive or intensive pronoun.
Meanwhile, I decided to repair my broken alarm clock ___.
My brother, Patrick, said, “You can’t do that ___.”
He decided to help me ___.
As it later turned out, Pat and I could have saved ___ much time and trouble.
The clock ___ needed only a new battery!