In this lesson we’re going to continue our look at personal pronouns, focusing on the reflexive pronouns – pronouns that are generally used when the object of a sentence is the same as the subject:
| First person | Second person | Third person | |
| Singular | myself | yourself | himself, herself, itself |
| Plural | ourselves | yourselves | themselves |
What does it mean for the subject of a sentence to be the same as the object? Let’s look at the following example:
The barber cut him while shaving.
Here, the barber is shaving another man – someone different than the barber – and it is this other man who was cut.
The barber cut himself while shaving.
Here, there is no other person. The barber and the cut man are the same person – the barber is the one who is shaving, and the one who was cut.
More examples:
I burned myself while making Christmas candy.
If you’re hungry, there’s some leftover spaghetti in the refrigerator. Help yourself!
John is so vain. He looks at himself whenever he passes a mirror.
I think Sally should practice the piano more before her recital, but she seems sure of herself.
The baby cried itself to sleep.
We yelled ourselves hoarse, but no one came to rescue us.
You kids only got yourselves into trouble by cheating on the history test.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith enjoyed themselves on their honeymoon in Hawaii.
Note: by myself / by yourself, etc. is a phrase that means “alone”:
Jack usually goes to the library and studies by himself. (= studies alone)
I don’t think Mary has any friends. She’s always sitting by herself at lunch. (= sitting alone)
Note: The phrase “each other” may seem similar to the reflexive pronoun “themselves,” but they are different. Consider:
Kirk and Kevin gave each other a present.
Here, Kirk gave Kevin a present, and Kevin gave Kirk a present.
Kirk and Kevin gave themselves a present.
Here, Kirk gave himself a present (Kirk gave a present to Kirk), and Kevin gave himself a present (Kevin gave a present to Kevin).
Exercises. Complete the following sentences using a reflexive pronoun: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
Example:
I knocked the glass over and spilled wine all over _______. ==> I knocked the glass over and spilled wine all over myself.
1. Our anniversary present to _______ is an Alaskan cruise.
2. The harried mother treated _______ to a relaxing afternoon at the spa.
3. You kids need to behave _______ if you want to go on the field trip next week.
4. The dog injured _______ in a coon fight.
5. The children had to clean up after _______ before the teacher would let them go outside for recess.
6. The roof of the abandoned building collapsed in on _______ from the heavy snow.
7. Father chided _______ for leaving the gate open and letting the pigs escape.
8. If I’m not home when you arrive, just let _______ in and wait for me.
9. One reason why Mark didn’t enjoy single life was because he got tired of cooking for _______ all the time.
10. The campgrounds were nice and quiet – we had the whole place to _______.
11. The makeup artist did such a tremendous job that Aunt Elaine was hardly able to recognize _______.
12. If you boys are hungry, just help _______ to some frozen pizzas.
13. The guards were ashamed of _______ for falling asleep on duty and letting the enemy sneak past them into the camp.
14. Sometimes I surprise _______ when I have a good idea like that.
15. Careful – don’t hurt _______!
16. I was angry at _______ for forgetting my lunch at home, and having to go all day without eating.
Exercises. Write sentences with by myself, by yourself, etc.
Example:
He stayed home alone. ==> He stayed home by himself.
1. That’s a very nice drawing, Jack – did you draw it all alone?
2. I hope you girls can bake that cake alone – I won’t be able to help you.
3. I usually sit alone in the last row at the theater.
4. You’re going to have to do some weeding if you want some vegetables this year – the garden isn’t going to get weeded alone, you know.
5. After Grandfather died, Grandmother had six children to take care of alone.
6. Never mind – I think it’s better if I go to the store alone, anyway.
7. Jim took a few steps alone in physical therapy today.
8. The twins are such troublemakers – you can’t leave them alone for even a minute.
9. For our anniversary we are planning on staying home and having a quiet dinner alone.
10. Grandmother sewed my sister’s wedding dress all alone.
11. Building a patio fireplace was an easy project that we could manage alone.
12. Last summer the Griswolds decided to hike the Appalachian Trail alone.
13. If you can’t do the homework alone, you should ask the teacher for some extra help.
14. Let Tommy tie his shoes alone – he’s going to have to learn it one of these days.
15. You are big boys now – you should be able to get dressed alone.
16. Come on, now – who broke Grandmother’s antique vase? I’m sure it didn’t get broken alone!
Exercises. Look at the picture and write sentences using the phrase “each other.”
Example:
(clean) ==> They are cleaning each other.
1. (chase)
2. (enjoy)
3. (hold)
4. (kiss)
5. (rest on)
6. (smile at)
Exercises. Complete the sentences, using “each other,” “ourselves/yourselves/themselves,” or “us/you/them.”
Example:
Mr. Brown and Mr. Black know _______. ==> Mr. Brown and Mr. Black know each other.
1. The teacher didn’t ask _______ if we understood the material.
2. You lazy salesmen have no one but _______ to blame for your poor monthly figures.
3. Jack knew he had seen his keys earlier that morning, but he couldn’t remember where he had seen _______.
4. The students in class 7B never behave _______, it seems.
5. It was funny to see the two clowns throw pies at _______.
6. Most people talk to _______, especially when they are trying to figure out a problem. It’s nothing to worry about.
7. There was so much food at the feast that we stuffed _______ until we couldn’t eat any more.
8. Mr. and Mrs. Smith said to give _______ a call whenever you got home.
9. Didn’t Father give _______ the name of the gentleman he wanted you to call?
10. Sit down here next to me, and let’s talk. We can keep _______ company until they it’s time for our flight to leave.
11. When we set up the April Fool’s prank, we didn’t realize it would backfire on _______.
12. Congratulations, Team 6! Give _______ a round of applause – you deserve it!
13. If I had wanted you to come to the party, I would have invited _______.
14. Sometimes it’s good to remind _______ of how much progress we’ve made in our English studies.
