Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns in English with Examples

Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Difference

Here are the key differences between reflexive and intensive pronouns:

• Function: Reflexive pronouns reflect the action back to the subject, while intensive pronouns emphasize or intensify a noun or pronoun.
• Purpose: Reflexive pronouns clarify the subject is also the object of the action; intensive pronouns add emphasis without changing meaning.
• Usage: Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject acts on itself; intensive pronouns highlight specific nouns or pronouns.
• Placement:  Reflexive pronouns typically come immediately after the subject and before the verb, while intensive pronouns follow the noun or pronoun they emphasize.
• Necessity: Reflexive pronouns are essential for clear meaning; intensive pronouns are optional for emphasis.
• Forms: Reflexive pronouns include “myself,” “yourself,” “himself,” “herself,” “itself,” “ourselves,” “yourselves,” and “themselves,”; intensive pronouns are the same forms used for emphasis.
• Clarity: Reflexive pronouns avoid ambiguity by showing self-action; intensive pronouns enhance clarity by drawing focus.
• Effect on Meaning: Reflexive pronouns change meaning; intensive pronouns intensify without changing meaning.

Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Uses

Here are the uses of reflexive and intensive pronouns:

Reflexive Pronouns:

1. Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object in a sentence refer to the same person or thing.
2. They show that the action of the verb reflects back on the subject.
3. They often replace the noun or pronoun to avoid repetition in a sentence.
4. Follows certain verbs like “enjoy,” “hurt,” “clean,” “find,” etc., where the subject and object are the same.
5. For example: “She hurt herself,” “He made himself a sandwich,” “They found themselves lost.”

Intensive Pronouns:

1. Intensive pronouns look the same as reflexive pronouns but are used differently.
2. They are used to add emphasis or intensify a noun or pronoun in a sentence.
3. Intensive pronouns are not essential to the sentence’s meaning and can be removed without changing the sentence’s structure.
4. They often follow verbs like “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” “were,” etc., to emphasize the subject.
5. For example: “I myself will do it,” “She herself made the decision,” “They themselves organized the event.”

Reflexive vs Intensive Pronouns Chart

Aspect	Reflexive Pronouns	Intensive Pronouns
Function	Reflects the action back to the subject.	Adds emphasis to a noun or pronoun.
Purpose	Indicates an action performed by the subject on itself.	Intensifies the meaning of the noun or pronoun.
Form	End in “-self” (singular) or “-selves” (plural).	Also end in “-self” (singular) or “-selves” (plural).
Optional	No (required for grammatical correctness in some cases)	Yes (can be removed without changing meaning)
Usage	Follows certain verbs or avoids repetition.	Often follows verbs like “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were” or emphasizes a particular noun or pronoun.
Forms	Myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves	Same forms as reflexive pronouns
Examples	She hurt herself.	I will do it myself.

Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Examples

Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Exercises

Identify whether the underlined pronouns in the sentences below are reflexive or intensive.

1. She herself designed the website.
2. He cut himself while shaving.
3. They themselves organized the event.
4. We painted the house ourselves.
5. I myself completed the entire project.
6. She found herself lost in the forest.
7. He prides himself on his achievements.
8. They blamed themselves for the mistake.
9. The cat itself opened the door.
10. She burned herself while cooking.
11. She cooked dinner for herself.
12. They enjoyed themselves at the party.
13. She bought herself a new dress.
14. The child dressed himself for school.
15. He talked to himself while walking.

Answers:

1. Intensive
2. Reflexive
3. Intensive
4. Reflexive
5. Intensive
6. Reflexive
7. Reflexive
8. Reflexive
9. Intensive
10. Reflexive
11. Reflexive
12. Reflexive
13. Reflexive
14. Reflexive
15. Reflexive

Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Quiz

1. She __ cooked dinner for the party.
   1. Reflexive
   2. Intensive
   3. Personal
   4. Demonstrative
2. They __ completed the entire project.
   1. Himself
   2. Themselves
   3. Ourselves
   4. Yourself
3. He cut __ while shaving.
   1. Herself
   2. Myself
   3. Himself
   4. Itself
4. We painted the house __.
   1. Yourself
   2. Ourselves
   3. Themselves
   4. Himself
5. She __ designed the website.
   1. Yourself
   2. Ourselves
   3. Himself
   4. Herself
6. I __ enjoyed the party.
   1. Himself
   2. Themselves
   3. Myself
   4. Ourselves
7. They __ organized the event.
   1. Themselves
   2. Ourselves
   3. Myself
   4. Himself
8. The cat __ opened the door.
   1. Myself
   2. Themselves
   3. Itself
   4. Himself
9. She burned __ while cooking.
   1. Himself
   2. Myself
   3. Herself
   4. Themselves
10. The child dressed __ for the school play.
    1. Themselves
    2. Herself
    3. Himself
    4. Yourselves

Answers:

1. d) Herself
2. b) Themselves
3. c) Himself
4. b) Ourselves
5. d) Herself
6. c) Myself
7. a) Themselves
8. c) Itself
9. c) Herself
10. d) Himself

FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between reflexive and intensive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject of the sentence performs an action on itself. Intensive pronouns, on the other hand, are used to emphasize the subject or another noun in the sentence.

Q2. Can you give examples of reflexive pronouns?

Sure! Examples of reflexive pronouns include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.

Q3. When should I use a reflexive pronoun?

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the verb are the same entity or person. For example: “I hurt myself” or “She talked to herself.”

Q4. Can you give examples of intensive pronouns?

Of course! Examples of intensive pronouns include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. The difference is in their usage rather than the pronouns themselves.

Q5. How do I know whether to use a reflexive or intensive pronoun?

Reflexive pronouns are used when the action of the verb reflects back onto the subject. Intensive pronouns are used to emphasize or intensify a noun or pronoun in the sentence. If there is no emphasis needed, use the reflexive pronoun.

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