UNIT 5                REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

1.Reflexive pronouns end in ~self or ~selves, they may have singular and plural forms.

2.Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object in a sentence refer to the same person: I saw myselfin the mirror. The men formed themselves in a line.

Verbs that describe actions that people do to themselves do not take reflexive pronouns in English: I usually shave before breakfast. She washed very quickly and rushed downstairs.

However, reflexives can be used if it is necessary to make it clear who does the action: The barber shaves all the people in the town who don’t shave themselves. She’s old enough now to dress herself.

Reflexive pronouns can be used as indirect objects: They were making fools of themselves. Tell me about yourself.

By + a reflexive pronoun = alone: Greg lives by himself.

By + a reflexive pronoun= without any help from other people:She was certain she could manage by herself.

Reflexive pronouns can be used for emphasis: I myself have never read this book. The town itselfwas so small that it didn’t have a bank.

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