Reflexive pronoun

Definition

• Reflexive pronoun is a pronoun, which refers back to the subject of a sentence.
• A  reflexive pronoun is used to denote that an action is done and received by the same subject.
• very helpful in providing clarity when using the third person plural form of pronouns.

Examples

Example 1:

• They looked at them.
• They looked at themselves.
  • In the above example, there is a slight confusion with the usage of ‘them’ in the first sentence.
  • We cannot be sure if ‘them’ refers to some other people or themselves.
  • This is where the reflexive pronoun turns out to be extremely helpful in providing complete meaning.

Example 2:

• I learned to drive a car by myself.
• I learned to drive a car.
  • In example 2, it is understood from the first sentence that the action of learning to drive a car is done alone and without any help,
  • Whereas the second sentence can let the reader think that the subject could have taken someone’s help to learn to drive.

Example 3:

• It is a fact that you know what is going on around you.
• It is a fact that you know yourself and what is going on around you.
  • In the above example, it is evident that the subject knows oneself more than anyone else.

Example 4:

• Teena and Tyson have been preparing for the entire semester.
• Teena and Tyson have been preparing themselves for the entire semester.
  • Teena and Tyson are the subjects in example 4 who happen to prepare themselves and no one else.

Personal and Reflexive pronouns

There are nine English reflexive pronouns.