Reflexive pronouns might look tricky at first, but they’re actually easy once you get the hang of them. In this guide, you’ll learn what reflexive pronouns are, how to use them correctly, and see clear examples to help you feel more confident.

What is a reflexive pronoun?

A reflexive pronoun is a type of pronoun used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same. It shows that the action is reflected back to the person or thing doing it. Reflexive pronouns are an important part of English grammar and are often used in everyday communication.

what is a reflexive pronoun

Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of a sentence. They’re easy to spot because they end in either ‘self’ or ‘selves’. Let’s start by learning them.

Reflexive Pronouns List

So, here’s a list of all the reflexive pronouns you need to learn.

 

Subject Pronoun Reflexive Pronoun
I myself
you (singular) yourself
he himself
she herself
it itself
we ourselves
you (plural) yourselves
they themselves
reflexive pronouns list

Singular and Plural Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns can be singular or plural, and it’s easy to tell which is which. If a reflexive pronoun ends in self, it is singular. If it ends in selves, it is plural. The subject and the object must always match in number and person for the sentence to be correct.

 

For example, we say herself when the subject is singular, but themselves when the subject is plural. Keeping the subject and reflexive pronoun in agreement is an important part of using them correctly.

 

Here’s some more examples:

  • I hate myself.
  • You hate yourself.
  • He hates himself.
  • She hates herself.
  • It hates itself.
  • We hate ourselves.
  • You hate yourselves.
  • They hate themselves.
singular and plural reflexive pronouns

Why Reflexive Pronouns Are Essential in a Sentence

An important point to remember is this: if you remove the reflexive pronoun from a sentence, it won’t make sense. I’ll show you what I mean…

Let’s look at the sentence:
“I’ve given a few more hours to finish the invoices.”

 

Given who a few more hours? The sentence doesn’t make sense without a reflexive pronoun.

importance of reflexive pronouns.

Let’s include the reflexive pronoun, and it will become a perfectly functioning sentence.

For example:
I’ve given myself a few more hours to finish the invoices.

importance of reflexive pronouns.

Reflexive and Non-reflexive Pronouns

Sentences can use either reflexive or non-reflexive pronouns, depending on whether the subject and object are the same or different.

For example:

  • We blame ourselves.
    Here, the subject and object are the same, so the sentence uses a reflexive pronoun.
  • We blame them.
    In this sentence, the subject and object are different, so a non-reflexive pronoun is used.

 

Understanding this difference helps you use reflexive pronouns correctly in your sentences.

Here’s a few more examples for you.

 

Reflexive Pronouns Non-reflexive Pronouns
We blame ourselves. We blame them.
She taught herself. She taught him.
They prepared themselves. They prepared us.
I reminded myself. I reminded you.
He hurt himself. He hurt him.
You should be proud of yourselves. You should be proud of them.
reflexive and non-reflexive pronouns example.
reflexive and non-reflexive pronouns example.

Reflexive Pronoun Examples

Below are some reflexive pronoun examples to help you understand how they work in real life. Each example comes with a relatable, real-life picture to make it even easier to remember. Take a look and see how reflexive pronouns reflect the action back to the subject!

I’m so proud of myself.

reflexive pronoun examples - myself. I’m so proud of myself.

You should be ashamed of yourself for picking on younger kids.

reflexive pronoun examples - yourself. You should be ashamed of yourself for picking on younger kids.

You should be ashamed of yourself for picking on younger kids.

reflexive pronoun examples - yourself. What a poser! He loves himself.

She can’t dance. She’s embarrassing herself.

reflexive pronoun examples - herself. She can’t dance. She’s embarrassing herself.

Thank goodness the weather is behaving itself.

reflexive pronoun examples - itself. Thank goodness the weather is behaving itself.

We are pleased with ourselves for making Mum a lovely cake.

reflexive pronoun examples - ourselves. We are pleased with ourselves for making Mum a lovely cake.

Don’t you go hurting yourselves up there.

reflexive pronoun examples - ourselves. Don’t you go hurting yourselves up there.

They must have enjoyed themselves at the playground.

reflexive pronoun examples - ourselves. They must have enjoyed themselves at the playground.

reflexive pronouns quiz

Are you ready to test yourself?

reflexive pronouns quiz
reflexive pronouns quiz
reflexive pronouns quiz
reflexive pronouns quiz
answers 1. a)   2. d)   3. c)   4. d)   5. b)   6. b)   7. a)    8. c)

For an extra challenge, try making the sentences non-reflexive.​