What Are Pronouns?

Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns. For example, instead of saying “Sam went to Sam’s house,” we can say “Sam went to his house.” Here, “his” is a pronoun.

Reflexive Pronouns

What Are They?

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the sentence are the same person or thing. They end in “-self” or “-selves.”

Examples:

  • I made this cake myself.
  • She looked at herself in the mirror.

Key Rule:

When you use a reflexive pronoun, it reflects back to the subject.

Intensive Pronouns

What Are They?

Intensive pronouns are also formed with “-self” or “-selves.” However, they are used to emphasize the subject of the sentence.

Examples:

  • I myself checked the answers.
  • They completed the project themselves.

Key Rule:

Intensive pronouns add emphasis but can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Key Differences

| Type | Purpose | Can it be removed? |

|—————|——————————-|——————–|

| Reflexive | Reflects back to the subject | No |

| Intensive | Emphasizes the subject | Yes |

Tips and Tricks

  1. Look for the Subject: If the pronoun refers back to the subject, it’s reflexive. If it simply emphasizes the subject, it’s intensive.
  2. Remove the Pronoun: If you can take it out and the sentence still makes sense, it’s intensive.
  3. Visualisation: Think of reflexive pronouns as mirrors reflecting the subject, while intensive pronouns are like cheerleaders shouting out the subject’s name.

Questions

Easy Level Questions

  1. Is “myself” a reflexive or intensive pronoun in the sentence: “I did it myself”?
  2. In “He taught himself to play guitar,” is “himself” reflexive or intensive?
  3. Identify the pronoun: “She looked at herself.”
  4. Is “themselves” reflexive or intensive in “They built the house themselves”?
  5. “I cooked dinner myself.” What type of pronoun is “myself”?
  6. “We enjoyed ourselves at the party.” Is “ourselves” reflexive or intensive?
  7. “He saw himself in the mirror.” Identify the type of pronoun.
  8. “You can trust yourself.” Is “yourself” reflexive or intensive?
  9. “The cat groomed itself.” What type of pronoun is “itself”?
  10. “She herself made the decision.” Is “herself” reflexive or intensive?

Medium Level Questions

  1. In the sentence “John fixed the car himself,” is “himself” reflexive or intensive?
  2. Identify the pronoun type: “They prepared the meal themselves.”
  3. Is “myself” reflexive or intensive in “I will do it myself”?
  4. “She found herself lost in the city.” What type of pronoun is “herself”?
  5. “The children enjoyed themselves at the park.” Is “themselves” reflexive or intensive?
  6. “You should believe in yourself.” Identify the pronoun’s type.
  7. “He completed the project himself.” Is “himself” reflexive or intensive?
  8. “They challenged themselves to do better.” What type of pronoun is “themselves”?
  9. “I made this decision myself.” Is “myself” reflexive or intensive?
  10. “She introduced herself to the class.” Identify the type of pronoun.

Hard Level Questions

  1. In “The teacher herself graded the exams,” is “herself” reflexive or intensive?
  2. Identify the type of pronoun in “We built the treehouse ourselves.”
  3. “I saw the actor himself at the concert.” Is “himself” reflexive or intensive?
  4. “He enjoyed himself at the festival.” What type of pronoun is “himself”?
  5. In “The dog groomed itself,” is “itself” reflexive or intensive?
  6. “They brought the food themselves to the event.” Identify the pronoun type.
  7. “She prepared the meal by herself.” Is “by herself” reflexive or intensive?
  8. “You must take care of yourself.” What type of pronoun is “yourself”?
  9. “I will personally handle this myself.” Identify if “myself” is reflexive or intensive.
  10. “The team congratulated themselves on the victory.” What type of pronoun is “themselves”?

Answers

Easy Level Answers

  1. Intensive
  2. Reflexive
  3. Reflexive
  4. Intensive
  5. Intensive
  6. Reflexive
  7. Reflexive
  8. Reflexive
  9. Reflexive
  10. Intensive

Medium Level Answers

  1. Intensive
  2. Intensive
  3. Intensive
  4. Reflexive
  5. Reflexive
  6. Reflexive
  7. Intensive
  8. Reflexive
  9. Intensive
  10. Reflexive

Hard Level Answers

  1. Intensive
  2. Intensive
  3. Intensive
  4. Reflexive
  5. Reflexive
  6. Intensive
  7. Reflexive
  8. Reflexive
  9. Intensive
  10. Reflexive

By understanding these concepts, you will be able to identify whether a pronoun is reflexive or intensive in your writing and reading. Keep practicing, and you’ll get the hang of it!