Reflexive and Reflexive and Intensive PronounsIntensive Pronouns6-76-7

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You often use pronouns that end in –self You often use pronouns that end in –self or –selves. These forms are either or –selves. These forms are either reflexive pronouns or intensive pronouns. reflexive pronouns or intensive pronouns. Although their spellings are the same, Although their spellings are the same, their uses in sentences are different.their uses in sentences are different. Reflexive: Harry splashed Reflexive: Harry splashed himselfhimself with with

water.water. Intensive: The children made that rug Intensive: The children made that rug

themselvesthemselves. .

A A reflexive pronounreflexive pronoun has its antecedent has its antecedent as the subject of the sentence. as the subject of the sentence.

It completes the meaning of a sentence It completes the meaning of a sentence and generally cannot be left out. and generally cannot be left out. Burton knows Burton knows himselfhimself very well. very well. Did you teach Did you teach yourselfyourself music? music?

An An intensive pronounintensive pronoun is used to is used to emphasize another word, its antecedent.emphasize another word, its antecedent.

An intensive pronoun may or may not An intensive pronoun may or may not refer to the subject of the sentence. It can refer to the subject of the sentence. It can usually be left out without destroying the usually be left out without destroying the meaning of the sentence. meaning of the sentence. Sid Sid himselfhimself hung the picture. hung the picture.

Both reflexive and intensive pronouns Both reflexive and intensive pronouns must agree with their antecedents in must agree with their antecedents in person, number, and gender. person, number, and gender. I will fix I will fix myself myself lunch in a while. lunch in a while. Jack can fix a sandwich Jack can fix a sandwich himselfhimself. .

Reflexive and Intensive Reflexive and Intensive PronounsPronouns

SingularSingular PluralsPlurals

MyselfMyself OurselvesOurselves

YourselfYourself YourselvesYourselves

Himself, herself, itselfHimself, herself, itself themselvesthemselves

Do not use reflexive and intensive Do not use reflexive and intensive pronoun forms in place of personal pronoun forms in place of personal pronouns.pronouns. Ron and I repaired the lamp. (not Ron and Ron and I repaired the lamp. (not Ron and

myself)myself) This is between you and me. (not between This is between you and me. (not between

you and myself)you and myself) Never use the words hisself or Never use the words hisself or

theirselves. (they are not words)theirselves. (they are not words)

Find the antecedent of each Find the antecedent of each underlined pronoun. Is it intensive underlined pronoun. Is it intensive or reflexive?or reflexive?

1.1. Hubert found Hubert found himselfhimself in the middle of a in the middle of a flood. flood.

2.2. We met the plumber We met the plumber herself.herself.

3.3. The oven cleaned The oven cleaned itself.itself.

4.4. Let’s try to fix the sink Let’s try to fix the sink ourselves.ourselves.

5.5. I will call the painters I will call the painters myself.myself.

6.6. Don’t slip and hurt Don’t slip and hurt yourselves.yourselves.

How would you correct each How would you correct each of the following sentences?of the following sentences?

7. The painters protected theirselves 7. The painters protected theirselves from fumes. from fumes.

8. Mrs. Sullivan and myself found the 8. Mrs. Sullivan and myself found the source of the leak under the sink. source of the leak under the sink.

9. Her son can repair pipes hisself now. 9. Her son can repair pipes hisself now. 10. Herself and Russell will fix the sink 10. Herself and Russell will fix the sink

tomorrow. tomorrow.

Complete each sentence Complete each sentence with an appropriate with an appropriate pronoun. Is it reflexive or pronoun. Is it reflexive or intensive?intensive? 11. Her brother has taught _______ much 11. Her brother has taught _______ much

about house repair and maintence. about house repair and maintence. 12. The painters should see ______ in those 12. The painters should see ______ in those

funny hats. funny hats. 13. We ________ aren’t sure of the color we 13. We ________ aren’t sure of the color we

should use. should use. 14. You should learn to repair things 14. You should learn to repair things

_________. _________. 15. The work __________ is not difficult. 15. The work __________ is not difficult.

Write the reflexive or intensive Write the reflexive or intensive pronoun in each sentence. Label it pronoun in each sentence. Label it

reflexive or intensive.reflexive or intensive. 16. They themselves knew they looked funny.16. They themselves knew they looked funny. 17. One had painted himself green. 17. One had painted himself green. 18. Another had decorated herself with blue 18. Another had decorated herself with blue

spots. spots. 19. The paint itself was splattered all over the 19. The paint itself was splattered all over the

floor. floor. 20. The painters thought themselves very 20. The painters thought themselves very

commercial. commercial. 21. I myself had to try hard not to laugh. 21. I myself had to try hard not to laugh.

Rewrite each sentence Rewrite each sentence correctly. Underline the correctly. Underline the corrected word. corrected word.

22. My brother and myself tried to fix 22. My brother and myself tried to fix something once.something once.

23. My brother fooled hisself that time. 23. My brother fooled hisself that time. 24. Himself and I tried to fix the clock. 24. Himself and I tried to fix the clock. 25. Between you and myself, we ruined 25. Between you and myself, we ruined

the job. the job.

Rewrite each sentence, adding an Rewrite each sentence, adding an appropriate reflexive or intensive appropriate reflexive or intensive pronoun.pronoun.

26. First, you should read the directions 26. First, you should read the directions __________.__________.

27. Several professional repair persons 27. Several professional repair persons ________ gave me that advice. ________ gave me that advice.

28. Repair manuals ________ also provide the 28. Repair manuals ________ also provide the amateur with excellent advice and tips about amateur with excellent advice and tips about working. working.

29. I _______ found out about repair manuals 29. I _______ found out about repair manuals the hard way. the hard way.

30. One night last week, my mother and father 30. One night last week, my mother and father had given ________ an evening out. had given ________ an evening out.

Rewrite each sentence, adding an Rewrite each sentence, adding an appropriate reflexive or intensive appropriate reflexive or intensive pronoun.pronoun.

31. Meanwhile, I decided to repair my broken 31. Meanwhile, I decided to repair my broken alarm clock ________.alarm clock ________.

32. My brother Patrick said, “You can’t do that 32. My brother Patrick said, “You can’t do that ________.”________.”

33. He decided to help me _______. 33. He decided to help me _______. 34. As it later turned out, Pat and I could have 34. As it later turned out, Pat and I could have

saved _________ much time and trouble. saved _________ much time and trouble. 35. The clock ________ needed only a new 35. The clock ________ needed only a new

battery!battery!