Reflexive Pronouns
Mini-Lesson #82
From the UWF Writing Lab’s
101 Grammar Mini-Lessons Series
The following are some reflexive
pronouns:
•
•
•
•
•
•
myself
yourself
himself
herself
ourselves
themselves
There is a tendency for writers and
speakers to choose the reflexive/intensive
case of the first person pronoun (myself)
when they are unsure which case—subject
or object—is proper. The
reflexive/emphatic/intensive case of a
pronoun is used to indicate a reflexive
action—an action affecting the one who
performs it. This case is also used for
emphasis.
Examples:
The hunter had injured himself; I myself
had seen him do so.
While sharpening a knife, the butcher cut
himself.
I moaned when I saw myself in the mirror.
A reflexive pronoun usually refers to the
subject of the sentence.
Example:
He looked at himself in the mirror.
Some reflexive pronouns are used for
emphasis.
Examples:
He himself answered the phone, not his
secretary.
He answered the phone himself.
Reflexive pronouns should not be used to
substitute for personal pronouns.
Incorrect:
Contact Dante or myself if you need a
photographer.
Correct:
Contact Dante or me if you need a
photographer.
Me, Myself, and I
• When you don’t know whether to use I or
me, don’t use the reflexive pronoun
myself. Myself is a reflexive pronoun used
as the object in a sentence when the word
to which to which the pronoun refers is the
subject of the sentence.
The use of myself in these three sentences
is correct.
• As president of this company, I am giving
myself a raise.
• I am very proud of myself for having
worked hard to receive this award.
• On behalf of the orchestra and myself (OR
me), I welcome you.
The use of myself in these four sentences is
incorrect.
• The responsibilities will be divided
between you and myself.
• There is a big difference between my
opponent and myself.
• If you have any questions, contact the
office assistant or myself.
• The confidentiality agreement is between
the company and myself.
CORRECTIONS
• The responsibilities will be divided
between you and me.
• There is a big difference between my
opponent and me.
• If you have any questions, contact the
office assistant or me.
• The confidentiality agreement is between
the company and me.
Follow these basic pronoun usage rules
when deciding whether to use I or me:
• Rule 1: Ignore the conjunction and the
other noun or pronoun:
• If you have any questions, contact the
office assistant or myself.
• Ignore “or the office assistant.”
• Would you say If you have any questions,
contact myself?
• Or would you say If you have any
questions, contact me?
If you have any questions, contact me or
the office assistant.
Rule 2: Always use me, him, her, us, and
them after between.
• The responsibilities will be divided
between you and me.
• There is a big difference between my
opponent and me.
• The confidentiality agreement is between
the company and me.
Attention!
Although the pronouns I, me, and
myself refer to the same person—
the person speaking or writing—
these pronouns are not
interchangeable in a sentence.
The following are not reflexive pronouns:
•hisself
•ourself
•themself
•theirself
•theirself
•theyself
Let’s practice!
Choose the correct pronoun.
Holyfield handles (hisself, himself) very well in
the boxing ring.
himself
If there are any questions, contact the
supervisor or (myself, me).
me
Just between you and (I,me,myself), this
proposal is unfair.
me
Myra and (I,me,myself) will take care of
the plans for the ceremony.
I
Everyone has agreed to the plan except
Johannas and (I,me,myself)
me
Great job!