Reflexive pronouns Flashcards
Usual reflexive pronouns: Himself, herself, themselves, oneself (more formal than yourself).
Use THEMSELVES to a subject, male or female.
Oneself is used to refer to people in general.
The author of the letter describes themselves as a senior government official.
I think one has to have the courage to be oneself and say whatever comes naturally.
Less formal: I think you have to have the courage to be yourself….
Use reflexive pronouns to emphasize that the subject caused a certain action.
Salma worked hard and got promoted.
Salma worked hard and got herself promoted. (meaning by her own efforts).
Salma encouraged me to apply for the senior management position, but she got promoted herself. (emphasize that Salma got promoted, not me).
If the object refers to the same person of subject, then must use reflexive pronouns:
Familiarize…with, absent….from, avail…of, busy…with, occupy…by, pride…on, tear…away from, trouble … about/with.
He walked around the golf course to familiarize himself with it.
We walked around to familiarize the children with the surroundings.
With some verbs, we can leave the reflexive pronouns out.
Behave, acclimatize, adapt, (un) dress, hide, move, prepare, shave, wash.
The reflexive pronoun must be included if the subject is affected by the action.
We are confident that both sets of fans will behave (themselves) at the match.
Although she helped other athletes to compete at high altitudes, she found it difficult to acclimatize herself.
If the verb has a direct object, we use a personal pronoun, not a reflexive pronoun.
Exception: If the verb has an indirect object that refers to the subject.
I remember closing the door behind me.
She bought the bracelet for herself.
MYSELF is used after AND/OR, but sometimes it is considered wrong.
I believe that Lizi and myself (me) have done a pretty good job.
