REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

JHON QUINTERO and YENNY LOPEZ

The reflexive pronouns are:

When we use a reflexive pronoun

We use a reflexive pronoun:

1. As a direct object when the object is the same as the subject of the verb:

I am teaching myself to play the piano.
Be careful with that knife. You might cut yourself.

Some verbs change their meaning slightly when they have a reflexive pronoun as direct object:

• Would you like to help yourself to another drink?
  = Would you like to take another drink.
• I wish the children would behave themselves.
   = I wish the children would behave well.
• He found himself lying by the side of the road.
  = He was surprised when he realised that he was at the side of the road.
• I saw myself as a famous actor.
  = I imagined that I was a famous actor.
• She applied herself to the job of mending the lights.
  = She worked very hard to mend the lights.
• He busied himself in the kitchen.
   = He worked busily in the kitchen.
• I had to content myself with a few Euros.
  = I had to be satisfied with a few Euros.

2.  We use by + myself/yourself/himself etc when we are alone or not with another person.

• Jacob went to the party by himself.
• Emma was sitting by herself.

3. A reflexive preceded by the preposition FOR indicates belonging:

• - I bought a coat for myself

Remember the most common verbs for used with reflexive nouns: 

apply

If you want to pass your english exam, you must apply yourself.

(you must work hard)

help

Lina helped himself to a beer.

(lina took a beer)

find

This morning I found myself lying on the floor of the bathroom.

(I was surprised when i discovered I was on the floor)

see

When I was a child, I saw myself as a singer.

(I pretended to be a singer. I imagined that I was a singer)

                            EXCERSISES:

Seleccione el pronombre correcto: 

1. You have to do it ________.
  yourself
  myself

2. The police officers couldn't do it ________. 
  himself
  themselves

3. Why can't she tell me ________ .
  herself
  himself

4. You only think about ________.
  herself
  yourself

5. I have to learn to respect ________.
  myself
  yourself

6. I can't see ________ doing that.
  himself
  myself

7. We have got to do this ________.
  themselves
  ourselves

8. The mayor said he would take care of it ________.
  itself
  himself

9. The problem is not going to fix ________.
  itself
  himself

10. The flowers are not going to water ________ .
  itself
  themselves

PRACTICE

1. Alan made this dish                         myself            yourself            herself            himself            itself            ourselves            yourselves            themselves           .
2. Laura sent the email                             myself              yourself              herself              himself              itself              ourselves              yourselves              themselves             .
3. We shall not quarrel easily among                             myself              yourself              herself              himself              itself              ourselves              yourselves              themselves             , and forget our common objective.
4. Sara, did you write this poem                         myself            yourself            herself            himself            itself            ourselves            yourselves            themselves           ?
5. Yes, I called her                         myself            yourself            herself            himself            itself            ourselves            yourselves            themselves           .
6. He cut                         myself            yourself            herself            himself            itself            ourselves            yourselves            themselves           with the knife while he was sharpening it.
7. My computer often crashes and turns off by                         myself            yourself            herself            himself            itself            ourselves            yourselves            themselves           .
8. She often talks to                         myself            yourself            herself            himself            itself            ourselves            yourselves            themselves           when she is upset
9. John and Alan, I am not going to do the homework for you. You have to do it                         myself            yourself            herself            himself            itself            ourselves            yourselves            themselves           .
10. The students were so noisy. Even Nancy and Leila were making a lot of noise                             myself              yourself              herself              himself              itself              ourselves              yourselves               themselves             .
11. Did the children behave                         myself            yourself            herself            himself            itself            ourselves            yourselves            themselves           ?
12. I caught sight of                         myself            yourself            herself            himself            itself            ourselves            yourselves            themselves           in the mirror.

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER:

1 They were feeling very sorry themselves.

Correct

Incorrect

2 She still dresses herself even though she's 93.

Correct

Incorrect

3 Behave yourself, Martin, the press is here tonight.

Correct

Incorrect

4 I like to keep a few photographs with myself to remind myself of the old days.

Correct

Incorrect

5 My son walked to school all by himself today.

Correct

Incorrect

6 She quickly washed herself and dressed herself as she was already late for work.

Correct

Incorrect

7 Although he kept a large collection of whiskies, he rarely drank himself.

Correct

Incorrect

8 There was a large number of stars present. The director by himself was also there.

Correct

Incorrect

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