Reflexive Pronouns

Look at this sample situation:

A conversation between two friends:

Anna: I had to make dinner myself because my brother was late.

Ben: Oh, really? I usually cook for myself when I’m alone at home.

Anna: I actually enjoyed it; I didn’t think I could prepare a full meal by myself!

Ben: You see? Sometimes doing things by ourselves helps us feel more independent.

You can see from these examples that:

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the verb refer to the same person or thing. They can also be used to emphasize who is doing the action, to show that someone did something without help or simply to sound more natural and complete in certain expressions.

Form

Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding self for singular pronouns and elves for plural pronouns. They are used after the verb or preposition they refer to.

Meaning and Use

Reflexive pronouns are used in different ways depending on the context.

When the subject and object are the same person or thing

The reflexive pronoun shows that the person did the action to themselves:

To emphasize the subject (for emphasis or contrast)

Sometimes we use reflexive pronouns just to stress that the person did the action, not someone else. In this case the reflexive can come after the verb or at the end of the sentence:

To show that someone did something alone or without help

When reflexive pronouns are used with by, they mean alone or without help:

Fixed expressions and idioms

Some everyday expressions naturally use reflexive pronouns:

means have a good time!

means be polite and sensible.

means take what you want, for example when they offer your food.

=Feel comfortable.

means look after yourself.

These expressions are common in both spoken and written English and sound natural and friendly.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes are often made with reflexive pronouns because in some other languages the same verbs are reflexive even when they aren’t in English. Remember that not all actions about yourself use a reflexive pronoun in English.

Reflexive pronouns are not normally used:

With the verbs concentrate, relax, rest:

Not:

With verbs describing actions that people usually do for themselves like wash, dress, shave, wake up, etc:

Not:

Not:

Also, don’t use a reflexive pronoun when the action clearly involves another person:

Not:

Note: You also need to distinguish between each other and themselves:

means two people looking at one another; Mary looked at Tom and Tom looked at Mary.

means each person looking in a mirror; Mary looked at herself and Tom looked at himself in the mirror.

In the FCE exam

Reading and Use of English

You may find gaps or transformations testing your knowledge of reflexive pronouns, especially in part 4 (Key Word Transformation):

No one helped me repair the roof, you know.

BY

I repaired _______________________ , you know.

Answer: the roof by myself

It was a great party and we had a good time.

ENJOYED

It was a great party and _______________________ a lot.

Answer: we enjoyed ourselves

Writing

In reviews, they can add a natural touch when describing experiences:

In articles, they can make the writing more engaging or emphatic:

Speaking

In part 1, you might describe personal routines:

In part 2, you might need them to describe situations in the photos:

In part 3, you can express experiences or actions:

And in part 4, reflexive pronouns can help you sound natural when discussing opinions:

Now try these exercises!