Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

REFLEXIVE and INTENSIVE PRONOUNS

REFLEXIVE and INTENSIVE PRONOUNS

Reflexive sounds like reflection, the image in the mirror that bounces back at you. A reflexive pronoun reflects back to the subject. A reflexive pronoun can be used as the direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition in a sentence.REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

Intensive is like intense. Something intense is very strong. An intensive pronoun emphasizes a preceding noun, often the noun immediately before the pronoun. It is not necessary to the sentence.INTENSIVE PRONOUNS

Both of them end in self or selves.

myselfourselvesyourselfyourselveshimselfherselfitselfthemselves

The following can be intensive or reflexive pronouns depending on how they are used in the sentence:

Reflexive:The puppy sawitselfin the mirror.(Itselfis the direct object in the sentence. The pronoun refers back to the subject. The puppy sawthe puppyin the mirror.)

Reflexive: The students have broughtthemselvessomething to eat.

(Themselvesis the indirect object in the sentence. The pronoun refers back to the subject. The students broughtthe studentssomething to eat.)

Reflexive: The visitors had to cookfor themselves. (Themselvesis the object of the preposition in the sentence. The pronoun refers back to the subject. The visitors had to cook for the visitors.)

Intensive:The queenherselfgave the knight the award.

(The queen gave the knight the awardherself.Herselfrefers to the queen.)

Hint: You can leave it out of the sentence:The queen gave the knight the awardherself.

Do not use reflexive pronouns instead of subject or object pronouns.

James andmyselfI went to the movies.Our teacher gave Sara andmyselfme an award for the best project.

Practice What You've LearnedDirection: Choose whether the bold-faced pronoun is reflexive or intensive.1.I found the treasure boxmyself.2.Youyourselfshould know the rules for pronoun usage.3.When Jeremy found his wallet, he boughthimselfan ice cream.4.The mayorhimselfgave me this award.5.My sister boughtherselfa birthday present.

Practice What You've Learned6.My neighbors foundthemselvesinvolved in a lawsuit.7.The police officerherselfwitnessed the accident.8.Four students foundthemselveslocked out of the room when they were late to class.9.I gave you that worksheetmyselfso I know you have it.10.The television announcer couldn't hearhimselfspeaking, so he spoke louder and louder.

IntensiveIntensiveReflexiveIntensiveReflexiveAnswers:6. Reflexive7. Intensive8. Reflexive9. Intensive10. Reflexive