Reflexive Pronouns
Listen to four conversations using the grammar point.
Answer the following questions about the interview.
Reflexive Pronouns
Point 1: Reflexive pronouns appear when the object pronoun is the same as the subject pronoun.
- I told myself a lie.
- You are too hard on yourself.
- She is too critical of herself.
- He sent himself a copy by email.
- The batter charges itself.
- You guys always outdo yourselves.
- They always talk about themselves.
- We are disappointed in ourselves.
Point 2: The reflexive pronoun can only he the object of a very or Aprepostion.
After Verb
- I hate myself for eating that cake.
- She hurt herself playing hockey.
After Preposition
- He is very demanding of himself.
- She took a photo of herself.
Point 3: Notice that singular pronouns and plural pronouns have different spellings (-self vs. selves)
- He loves to be by himself.
- A gym membership pays for itself in health benefits.
- They often argue amongst themselves.
- We found ourselves in big trouble!
Point 4: The pronoun "you" can be both singular and plural, so it has two different spellings for reflexive pronouns.
Talking to one person
- Help yourself.
- Give yourself enough time to get there.
Talking to more than one person
- Help yourselves.
- Give yourselves enough time to get there.
Point 5: The reflexive pronoun is used in many idiomatic expressions.
- You outdid yourself. (You did an amazing job!)
- I treated myself to a new coat. (I bought at gift for myself)
- I live by myself. (I live alone)
- Don't hurt yourself. (Be careful)
Point 6: The pronoun "oneself" is used to talk about people in general when there is no specific person to reference.
- Be good to oneself.
- It is important to love oneself.
- It is never good to be hard on oneself.
- It is vital to take care of oneself.
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