Is the pronoun reflexive or intensive?
key notes :
1. What Are Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns?
Both reflexive and intensive pronouns end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural), such as:
- Singular: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself
- Plural: ourselves, yourselves, themselves
2. Reflexive Pronouns
🔹 Definition: A reflexive pronoun reflects back to the subject of the sentence and is necessary for the sentence to make sense.
🔹 Example Sentences:
- She taught herself how to paint.
- The cat saw itself in the mirror.
- We cooked ourselves dinner.
💡 Tip: If you remove the reflexive pronoun, the sentence does not make sense.
3. Intensive Pronouns
🔹 Definition: An intensive pronoun is used for emphasis and is not necessary for the sentence to make sense.
🔹 Example Sentences:
- I myself baked the cake.
- The president himself gave the speech.
- She herself completed the project.
💡 Tip: If you remove the intensive pronoun, the sentence still makes sense but loses emphasis.
4. How to Identify Reflexive vs. Intensive Pronouns
✅ Reflexive: Required for meaning.
✅ Intensive: Adds emphasis, but not required.
🔹 Test: Try removing the pronoun.
- If the sentence doesn’t make sense → Reflexive
- If the sentence still makes sense → Intensive
Let’s Practice! 🖊️