Reflexive PronounsMini-Lesson #82

From the UWF Writing Lab’s

101 Grammar Mini-Lessons Series

The following are some reflexive pronouns:

• myself

• yourself

• himself

• herself

• ourselves

• themselves

There is a tendency for writers and speakers to choose the reflexive/intensive case of the first person pronoun (myself) when they are unsure which case—subject or object—is proper. The reflexive/emphatic/intensive case of a pronoun is used to indicate a reflexive action—an action affecting the one who performs it. This case is also used for emphasis.

Examples:

The hunter had injured himself; I myself had seen him do so.

While sharpening a knife, the butcher cut himself.

I moaned when I saw myself in the mirror.

A reflexive pronoun usually refers to the subject of the sentence.

Example:

He looked at himself in the mirror.

Some reflexive pronouns are used for emphasis.

Examples:

He himself answered the phone, not his secretary.

He answered the phone himself.

Reflexive pronouns should not be used to substitute for personal pronouns.

Incorrect:

Contact Dante or myself if you need a photographer.

Correct:

Contact Dante or me if you need a photographer.

Me, Myself, and I

• When you don’t know whether to use I or me, don’t use the reflexive pronoun myself. Myself is a reflexive pronoun used as the object in a sentence when the word to which to which the pronoun refers is the subject of the sentence.

The use of myself in these three sentences is correct.

• As president of this company, I am giving myself a raise.

• I am very proud of myself for having worked hard to receive this award.

• On behalf of the orchestra and myself (OR me), I welcome you.

The use of myself in these four sentences is incorrect.

• The responsibilities will be divided between you and myself.

• There is a big difference between my opponent and myself.

• If you have any questions, contact the office assistant or myself.

• The confidentiality agreement is between the company and myself.

CORRECTIONS

• The responsibilities will be divided between you and me.

• There is a big difference between my opponent and me.

• If you have any questions, contact the office assistant or me.

• The confidentiality agreement is between the company and me.

Follow these basic pronoun usage rules when deciding whether to use I or me:

• Rule 1: Ignore the conjunction and the other noun or pronoun:

• If you have any questions, contact the office assistant or myself.

• Ignore “or the office assistant.”• Would you say If you have any questions,

contact myself?• Or would you say If you have any

questions, contact me?

If you have any questions, contact me or the office assistant.

Rule 2: Always use me, him, her, us, and them after between.

• The responsibilities will be divided between you and me.

• There is a big difference between my opponent and me.

• The confidentiality agreement is between the company and me.

Attention!

Although the pronouns I, me, and myself refer to the same person—the person speaking or writing—

these pronouns are not interchangeable in a sentence.

The following are not reflexive pronouns:

•hisself

•ourself

•themself

•theirself

•theirself

•theyself

Let’s practice!Choose the correct pronoun.

Holyfield handles (hisself, himself) very well in the boxing ring.

himself

If there are any questions, contact the supervisor or (myself, me).

me

Just between you and (I,me,myself), this proposal is unfair.

me

Myra and (I,me,myself) will take care of the plans for the ceremony.

I

Everyone has agreed to the plan except Johannas and (I,me,myself)

me

Great job!