Pronouns - Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns

Reflexive Pronouns

A reflexive pronoun is used when the action performed by a subject is to be reflected on the subject itself. The following table shows the different forms of reflexive pronouns:

	First Person	Second Person	Third Person
Singular	Myself	Yourself	Himself, Herself, Itself
Plural	Ourselves	Yourselves	Themselves

I was talking to myself. (Here, the first person singular pronoun is used.) You always think of yourself. (Here, the second person singular pronoun is used.) Dharam has hurt himself. (Here, the third person singular masculine pronoun is used.) Ritu is looking at herself in the mirror. (Here, the third person singular feminine pronoun is used.) The dog hid itself under the bed. (Here, the third person singular neuter pronoun is used.) We blamed ourselves for the loss. (Here, the first person plural pronoun is used.) You have put yourselves in a difficult situation. (Here, the second person plural pronoun is used.) They kept themselves busy all day. (Here, the third person plural pronoun is used.)

Emphatic Pronouns

When a reflexive pronoun is used for emphasis, it is termed as an emphatic pronoun.

I myself saw her throw it out of the window. (Here, the first person singular pronoun is used.) You yourself are responsible for the shameful defeat. (Here, the second person singular pronoun is used.) He came and took the boy himself. (Here, the third person singular masculine pronoun is used.) She received the guests herself. (Here, the third person singular feminine pronoun is used.) The city itself is quite polluted. (Here, the third person singular neuter pronoun is used.) We cooked the dinner ourselves. (Here, the first person plural pronoun is used.) You yourselves said so. (Here, the second person plural pronoun is used.) They surrendered their loot themselves. (Here, the third person plural pronoun is used.)