Emphatic Pronouns: Definition and Examples

In English grammar, emphatic pronouns are used to put stress on the subject of a sentence, highlighting that the subject is solely responsible for performing the action. They emphasize the subject, whether it is a noun or a pronoun, and are sometimes referred to as intensive pronouns. In fact, emphatic pronouns are reflexive pronouns with a different role, focusing on intensifying the subject of the sentence rather than showing the action reflects back on it.

What Are Emphatic Pronouns?

Emphatic pronouns are used to emphasize the subject of a sentence, showing that the subject performed the action independently or, more importantly, with special emphasis. They intensify the subject by referring back to it. This stress can indicate the subject’s importance or role in performing the action.

For instance:

• I myself will complete the task.
• They themselves organized the event.

In these examples, the emphatic pronouns “myself” and “themselves” emphasize that the subject (I, they) was personally responsible for the action.

How to Form Emphatic Pronouns

Emphatic pronouns are formed by adding “-self” (for singular) or “-selves” (for plural) to specific personal pronouns. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Singular	Plural
Myself	Ourselves
Yourself	Yourselves
Himself	Themselves
Herself
Itself

In both placements, the emphasis is placed on the fact that the subject took action independently or with special involvement.

Emphatic Pronouns vs. Reflexive Pronouns

It is important to differentiate between emphatic pronouns and reflexive pronouns, even though they use the same forms. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject when the subject and object are the same, whereas emphatic pronouns add stress to the subject but do not change the meaning if removed.

Let’s compare their use:

• Reflexive Pronoun: She hurt herself while playing. (Here, “herself” reflects back on the subject and shows that she caused harm to herself.)
• Emphatic Pronoun: She herself cooked the entire meal. (Here, “herself” emphasizes that she cooked the meal without help.)

Examples of Emphatic Pronouns

Here are examples to help understand the different ways emphatic pronouns are used:

1. She herself solved the complicated math problem.
2. We ourselves completed the project before the deadline.
3. He himself admitted the mistake in the report.
4. The students themselves organized the entire event.
5. The machine itself stopped working after a power surge.
6. You yourselves should take responsibility for the outcome.
7. The manager himself signed off on the document.

In these examples, the pronouns myself, himself, themselves, yourself, and itself add emphasis to the subject, making the sentence more impactful.

Why Use Emphatic Pronouns?

Using them serves a few key purposes:

1. To emphasize responsibility or action:
   • She herself managed the project from start to finish.
   • The students themselves wrote the report.
2. To show independence or uniqueness:
   • I myself didn’t think it was possible.
   • They won the competition themselves without any external help.
3. To clarify the role of the subject:
   • The chef himself tasted every dish before serving.
   • The CEO herself signed the contract.

These pronouns emphasize that the subject took significant or sole responsibility for an action.

Placement in Sentences

The placement of emphatic pronouns can alter the emphasis slightly. Here’s how they fit into different parts of a sentence:

• After the subject:
  • The teacher herself graded the exams.
  • The president himself delivered the speech.
• At the end of the sentence:
  • We cleaned the entire house ourselves.
  • The players won the match themselves.

In both cases, the use of emphatic pronouns underscores the subject’s role in performing the action.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes make the following mistakes with emphatic pronouns: For instance, they may misplace the pronoun or confuse it with a reflexive one.

1. Incorrect Placement
   Placing the emphatic pronoun incorrectly can confuse the sentence.

❌ Myself, I will do it.
✅ I myself will do it.

2. Overuse
   Using too many emphatic pronouns can make sentences sound repetitive or awkward.

❌ The chef himself, the waiter himself, and the manager himself all handled the situation.
✅ The chef, the waiter, and the manager all handled the situation themselves.

3. Confusion with Reflexive Pronouns:
   Sometimes learners use emphatic pronouns when reflexive pronouns are needed.

❌ He gave the gift to myself.
✅ He gave the gift to me.

Read More

• Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns in English
• Worksheets of Pronoun
• Pronouns Words
• Types of Doctors Specialization
• 60 Examples of Pronouns in Sentences
• Emphatic Pronouns Exercises