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IntermediatePronouns

Learn Reflexive Pronouns in English

Myself, yourself, himself, herself — when the subject and object are the same.

Learning goal
Recognize and use this pattern in context.
Practice
10 randomized questions with explanations.
Suggested workflow
Study the examples, then take the quiz.

Grammar Focus

Reflexive pronouns are special pronouns that refer back to the subject of the sentence. They are used when the subject and the object of a verb are the same person or thing — in other words, when someone performs an action on themselves.

  • Use myself when the subject is "I": "I hurt myself."
  • Use yourself when the subject is "you" (singular): "You should believe in yourself."
  • Use himself when the subject is "he": "He taught himself to cook."
  • Use herself when the subject is "she": "She introduced herself to the class."
  • Use itself when the subject is "it": "The cat cleaned itself."
  • Use ourselves when the subject is "we": "We enjoyed ourselves at the party."
  • Use yourselves when the subject is "you" (plural): "Help yourselves to the food."
  • Use themselves when the subject is "they": "They built the house themselves."
  • Reflexive pronouns can also be used emphatically to stress that someone did something without help: "I myself fixed the car."

Form & Structure

Reflexive Pronoun Forms

I→myself, you→yourself, he→himself, she→herself, it→itself, we→ourselves, you(pl)→yourselves, they→themselves
I looked at myself in the mirror.
She poured herself a cup of tea.
They introduced themselves to the new manager.

Reflexive Use

When subject = object: She hurt herself. They enjoyed themselves.
He didn't hurt himself when he fell.
I couldn't stop myself from laughing.
She didn't enjoy herself at the event.

Emphatic Use

For emphasis (optional): He himself made the decision.
Did you make this yourself?
She herself admitted the mistake.
The president himself attended the ceremony.

Common Mistakes

Using a reflexive pronoun instead of a personal pronoun as the subject

Myself and my friend went to the market.
My friend and I went to the market.

Tip: Reflexive pronouns cannot be the subject of a sentence. Use 'I', 'he', 'she', 'we', or 'they' as the subject instead.

Using the wrong reflexive pronoun form

He hurt hisself when he tripped.
He hurt himself when he tripped.

Tip: 'Hisself' is not a standard English word. The correct reflexive pronoun for 'he' is always 'himself'. Similarly, 'theirselves' is wrong — use 'themselves'.

Adding a reflexive pronoun unnecessarily after certain verbs

She felt herself tired after the long walk.
She felt tired after the long walk.

Tip: Verbs like 'feel', 'relax', 'concentrate', 'meet', and 'wash' do not normally take reflexive pronouns in English unless you want to emphasise the action. Use them only when the subject and object are truly the same.

Why This Grammar Matters

Talking about accidents or physical actions done to oneself

“I burned myself on the stove while cooking dinner.”
“He cut himself while shaving this morning.”

Introducing or presenting yourself or others

“She introduced herself to the team on her first day.”
“Please make yourselves comfortable while you wait.”

Emphasising that someone did something without help

“I painted the whole apartment myself — it took three days.”
“They organised the entire event themselves without a planner.”

Describing enjoyment or experience at social events

“We really enjoyed ourselves at the wedding last Saturday.”
“Did you enjoy yourself on your holiday?”