Is the pronoun reflexive or intensive?

key notes :

Both reflexive and intensive pronouns end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural), such as:

  • Singular: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself
  • Plural: ourselves, yourselves, themselves

🔹 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.


🔹 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.


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 senseIntensive

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