Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

What Are They?O Pronouns that end in –self or –selves

are either reflexive or intensive pronouns.

myself yourself herself, himself, itself

ourselves yourselves themselves

What do Reflexive Pronouns Do?

O A reflexive pronoun refers to the subject and directs the action of the verb back to the subject. Reflexive pronouns are necessary to the meaning of a sentence. Without them the sentence doesn’t make sense.

The climbers warned themselves to be prepared for anything. (Themselves refers to climbers.)

What do Intensive Pronouns Do?

O An intensive pronoun emphasizes the noun or pronoun within the same sentence. Intensive pronouns are not necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

I myself would like to climb a high mountain someday. (Myself refers to I.)

Use Real Words

Remember that hisself and theirselves are not real words. Never use them.Use himself and themselves instead.

Identifying Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

Underline all the reflexive and intensive pronouns in the following sentences.

1. The mountain itself is quite a challenge.

2. He hurt himself while he was climbing.

3. My sister climbed the mountain herself.

4. We started giving ourselves more breaks as we got closer to the top.

5. Tell yourself you can make it to the top.

Using Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

Underline the correct pronoun to complete each sentence.

1. When you climb a mountain, you challenge (you, yourself) to accomplish things you didn’t think were possible.

2. Every successful climber is proud of (himself/herself, him/her) for facing fear and accomplishing worthwhile goals.

3. Even such excellent climbers as Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (them, themselves) can be humbled by the experience of climbing Mt. Everest.

Identifying Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

In each sentence, decide if the boldfaced pronoun is reflexive or intensive. Write R for reflexive or I for intensive on the line.

1. You yourself are your own best friend up in the mountains. ____

2. You can protect yourself from harm by taking a few important precautions. ____

3. Climbers risk exposing themselves to hypothermia and altitude sickness. ____

Choosing Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with appropriate reflexive or intensive pronouns. On the line to the right, write R for reflexive and I for intensive.

1. Let’s give ________ a fighting chance to win this game. ____

2. If left alone, the problem may just solve _______.____

3. I ________ will testify if it will help your case. ____