English Using Reflexive Pronouns, Definition and Example Sentences;
Reflexive Pronouns
One of the simplest but most confused topics in English is ‘Reflexive Pronouns’. Because these words are equivalent to other languages, they are different from other languages in use. In this lesson, we will examine this important issue in depth and explain it in full detail. We will also touch on the most common mistakes students make and the causes of these mistakes.
What is a Pronoun? Types of Pronouns and Examples
After carefully studying this lesson, you will not make these mistakes and you will realize the correct ones yourself. However, you have to read the lesson carefully and to the end.
Reflexive pronouns is used to describe the work, occurrence and movements of the subject. In other words, the subject is affected by the action. In short, it is the words of the subject. You can find explanations and sample sentences of the word groups you need to know about the subject below. Reflexive Pronouns is used in cases where the person specified in the sentence is affected by the job specified in the sentence. As can be understood from its name, the action takes turns and again affects the person mentioned in the sentence. In these cases, reflexive pronouns is used.
Reflexive pronouns is also known as words that indicate that the subject’s work is again affected by the work of the subject, pointing to any name or personal pronoun, and that the work is returning to himself. In the simplest sense, we use reflexive pronouns to describe the work we do ourselves. For example;
When a child is swinging on a swing, it is said that he fell to the ground, or when our father asks me to leave you at the bus station, we say no, we will go myself. Here I go myself, he fell, he did it himself, the words as we wanted ourselves are known as reflexive pronouns. Let’s get to know reflexive pronouns closely:
- Myself
- Yourself
- Himself
- Herself
- Itself
- Ourselves
- Yourselves
- Themselves
It is necessary to examine the use of these words closely. Reflexive pronouns examples:
- I cut myself hand and hair.
- You should definitely clean this room yourself.
- My mom quit often herself in the mirror.
- My sister washes the dishes herself and also spreads the laundry.
- Our dog licks itself clean after each meal.
- Everyone should come in and find a place for yourself.
- Our children cannot take care of themselves or pull them. That’s why we have a lot of work as a parent.
Note: Reflexive Pronouns can also be used in English for emphasis. In such a case, Reflexive Pronouns are located just behind the subject. For example:
- I myself cleaned my room and my clothes. (So I want to emphasize that I do it alone without anyone’s help)
- You have to do your homework yourself. Eat your food yourself. (It is requested to state that the student himself has to do his homework without anyone’s help)
- We built this building ourselves (Emphasizing that we built this house without anyone’s help)
Reflexive Pronouns gain “self” meaning when “by” is brought in front of them. In other words, we use the combination of “by + Reflexive Pronoun” to say to myself, to himself, to himself. However, the combination of “on + Possesive adjective + own” also means “self” and is no different from the combination of “by” in terms of meaning. The usage table and examples of both combinations are given below for ease of learning.
- By myself = on my own
- By yourself = on your own
- By himself = on his own
- By herself = on her own
- By itself = on its own
- By ourselves = on our own
- By yourselves = on your own
- By themselves = on their own
Examples:
- I learnt French by myself / I learnt Frenc on my own
- The question was solved by itself / The question was solved on its own
- They can survive by themselves / They can survive on their own
- Monkeys can express by themselves / Monkeys can express on their own
- You like going to the cinema by yourself /on your own
- You always do your homework by yourself / on your own
- Tom did it by himself / on his own
